Due to FCC guidelines stating that IP based services do not fall under its regulation, AT&T is preparing to fully transition from land based service to IP based services. If this move is allowed, AT&T will no longer be subject to the regulations that currently protect the consumers right to fair and competitive service options. In addition many of the guidelines preventing monopolization of telecommunication services may no longer apply.
What does this mean?
This would give corporate giants such as AT&T the ability to fully control pricing, usage rights, and availability. This means that these companies will have control over where you can access these services, as well as what you can do with these services. Not to mention the massive price hikes that will undoubtedly arise.