Wireless carriers step up lobbying efforts

Wireless carriers are adding more lobbyists to their rosters to ward off efforts to clamp down on the industry, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Verizon Communications, one of the parent companies of Verizon Wireless, recently hired Brian Rice, the chief telecom aide to Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who chairs the Senate subcommittee overseeing the wireless industry. Another Democratic aide, Gregg Rothschild, joined Glover Park Group,which counts Verizon as one of its clients. Verizon spent $9.3 million on lobbying in the first half of the year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and AT&T spent $8.2 million. Both are on pace to spend a little more on lobbying this year than they did last year. Article (sub. req.)