20th May 2008, 9:40 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The Rural Cellular Association is planning to file a petition with the FCC as early as today questioning the exclusive handset deals that the major carriers have with handset manufacturers. The rural carriers believe that the deals are anti-competitive, anti-consumer, and prevent the rural carriers from offering the best devices available to their customers. The Rural Cellular Association wants the practice investigated. The Wall Street Journal says it is unlikely that the FCC will pursue the investigation too far.

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