Justice Dept Ends Texting Rate Probe

Apparently, in a big win for major carriers, the Justice Department has informed several wireless carriers that it has concluded an inquiry into whether the carriers colluded to set text-messaging rates and has no plans to take action on this issue.

Although the Justice Department's inquiry into text messaging rates has concluded, government regulators are still looking into other competitive issues involving the wireless phone industry. The FCC is taking a broad look at competition in the industry, including whether exclusive handset deals like AT&T's exclusive deal to offer Apple Inc.'s iPhone are in the best interests of consumers.

The Justice Department began investigating text- messaging rates at the request of Sen Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights subcommittee. In July, he asked the agency, along with the Federal Communications Commission, to examine competitive issues in the wireless industry, including text-messaging rates.