The Federal Communications Commission signaled this week that it will look into major U.S. wireless carriers in an attempt to increase competition, innovation, and consumer protection in the market.

“Wireless mobility has become central to the economic, civic, and social lives of over 270 million Americans,” an FCC press release stated. “We are now in the midst of a transition from reliance on mobile voice services to increasing use of and reliance on mobile broadband services, which promise to connect American citizens in new and profound ways. A robustly competitive mobile wireless market will be essential to realizing the full benefits to American consumers and channeling investment into vitally important national infrastructure. The FCC is seeking to ensure that competition in the mobile wireless market continues to bring substantial benefits to American consumers.”

The commission released a number of official notices of inquiry this week, announcing investigations designed to look into wireless innovation and investment, mobile wireless competition, and additional opportunities to protect and empower consumers in the communications marketplace. The news comes just a week after Apple, AT&T and Google all responded to an FCC inquiry over the absence of the Google Voice application from the iPhone App Store.

The FCC is taking a hard look at mobile providers and their business practices, suggesting the agency could take a more hands-on approach with the U.S. market’s four major carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. Earlier this year, the commission was asked to look into matters involving Skype and the iPhone, and the availability of Apple’s phone in smaller, more rural markets. However, the FCC has not yet mandated any industry changes, nor has it suggested any regulation is guaranteed.