Competition and Consumer Choice are Hallmarks of U.S. Wireless Industry

This afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights held a hearing on “Cell Phone Text Messaging Rate Increases and the State of Competition in the Wireless Market.” Here is the statement I issued in response to today’s hearing:

     "The U.S. wireless industry is the most competitive and innovative in the world. Third party   
      organizations and influentials -- from Consumer Reports Magazine to Former Vice
      President Al Gore -- have echoed this statement. 
 
     "In CTIA's 2008 year-end survey, we found that 270.3 million subscribers sent more than 1
     trillion text messages -- or about 3.5 billion per day. This is a significant increase to 2007
     when 255.4 million subscribers sent 363 billion text messages. 

     "These statistics prove that consumers are increasingly relying on texting as a form of
     communications. It is quick, easy and affordable. Carriers offer consumers a multitude of
     text messaging options and we encourage individuals to work with their provider to ensure
     they're on the best plan. 
 
     "Merrill Lynch recently released their study which found that the U.S. is the least
     concentrated and most competitive market out of the 26 Organization for Economic Co-
     Operation and Development (OECD) countries reviewed. In 23 of the 26 OECD countries,
     the top four carriers own 100% of the market. The U.S. is one of only three OECD countries
     with more than four carriers but the only one whose top four carriers represent 86% of the
     market.  
 
     "With wireless companies constantly entering new markets and competing for customers,
      it's clear that the U.S. consumer is the ultimate winner from this fiercely competitive
     industry."

To learn more on how the wireless industry is the most competitive and innovative in the world please take a look at "The Facts About the Wireless Industry: An Independent Review"