According to a copy of the written responses to questions from Senate John Kerry (D-MA), Julius Genachowski, President Obama's pick to head the Federal Communications Commission, said he will focus on promoting competition and consumer choice and plans to review the exclusive arrangements between wireless carriers and cell phone makers. The issue of exclusive agreements among some of the biggest companies like Apple Inc's iPhone and service provider AT&T Inc is at the center of some lawmakers' concerns about whether such practices hinder competition and innovation. Genachowski's comments reflect similar comments made by Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps who said Thursday that the commission should open a proceeding to closely examine the those arrangements. Chairman Copps said that he has asked officials to begin crafting such a proceeding to examine the effects on consumer choice and innovation.
