Here is an interesting article that talks about what life might be like if the Federal Communications Commission was in charge of highways. It is not a pretty picture. The upcoming auction of 700 Mhz spectrum formerly used by TV stations is not likely to benefit communities or smaller, independent service providers.
The FCC has the opportunity to change things in a way that could simultaneously lower prices for wireless services and create lots of new business opportunities. What's the rub? The incumbents would have to compete on a reasonably level playing field with new companies, without a structural monopoly advantage. And that really worries them.