Market analysis using regulatory reports

The reports that common carriers must file before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provide information that allows the FCC to regulate the carriers and create regulatory policy. In an era where increasing competition among telecommunications providers is viewed as desirable, these same regulatory reports can provide strategic information (eg an assessment of market size for specific telecommunication services) to potential competitors. This use of these reports is demonstrated for the Pittsburgh, PA, metropolitan area. The policy implications of this are discussed.