A lot of the classic telecom regulations were taken at a time when the telephone company had a legal monopoly over all customers. Everyone had to sign up with AT&amp;T.<p>So there were very good reasons the government got to dictate their business models. It was quid pro quo.<p>But I don&#x27;t think interchangeability is the same as treating them equally. AT&amp;T had to connect you to anywhere globally, but it didn&#x27;t have to do it for the same price. Local vs. long distance vs. international.<p>Some cellphone companies even had &quot;pick 5 free number&quot; plans. Nothing bad happened.<p>Plus the internet seems to achieve total interactivity without it being mandated. Though a lot of the backbone internet came from regulated telecomms. Maybe I can&#x27;t count on the internet developing in a free for all.