Study: North Carolinians think local competition wanes

About two of every three registered voters in North Carolina think there is a “great deal” of competition in the state’s long-distance and wireless markets, but only 14% characterized local competition in the same manner, according to a study released today by the AT&T- and MCI-backed lobbying group Voices for Choices. Additionally, 64% of respondents said the best way to achieve meaningful local competition is for incumbents to lease lines to competitive carriers. The results were extrapolated from surveys conducted by Roswell, Ga.-based public opinion research firm Ayers, McHenry & Associates. Survey participants were selected via random digit dialing, subject to quotas established for race, gender and county conforming to current registration demographics. The survey has a plus or minus 4.08% margin of error.