There is nothing intrinsic in the wireless industry that makes a monopoly unavoidable. Unlike in the wired industry, having two lines into the same house is neither difficult nor wasteful. The failure of the independent wireless operators in the US is a combination of incompetence, badly done deregulation and lack of interest in fostering competition on the side of government and the general public.

Proof? Every European market has at least three major players in the wireless market. It remains a hotbed of technological innovation, offering users significantly faster networks than in the US and a huge choice of phones. The iPhone won't make a difference in Europe because there are many alternatives to it already.

Blame poor regulation, poor management and low interest in making and keeping markets competitive for the disappearance of competition in the US wireless market, but don't pretend it was inevitable.