Some Skepticism Is In Order for Verizon's Offers

[Commentary] When Verizon Wireless decided it would be amenable to changing the ground rules by which it lets other cellphone companies serve their customers who travel through Verizon (called "roaming"), notice how it made the announcement. And when Verizon decided to loosen its grip ever so slightly on the exclusive deals it has with cellular phone manufacturers, notice how that announcement was made. Both were done in letters to Capitol Hill, to influential members of Congress. When a major company makes such an announcement in letters to Congress, be aware. Be very aware. Those letters are intended as much for show as they are for anything substantive. They are part of a little game of "Let's Make A Deal," in which Congress and [insert special interest here] are the contestants and judges. The public's involvement, or even welfare, can be minimal.