What are the chances...

Question

That there'd be a common cell network, and service providers would have to opt into the common good, compete on service, and handset hardware upgrades and switching would be accomplished by sim card or similar replacement?
I can recall being in South America in a few countries over a decade ago, where no one had a land line and had great service; we had similar with land lines back then. Now the user population and usage doesn't scale to the U.S. or compare, as they could easily post towers where it suited them, had no line of sight or other obstructions and no one complained; it was about the handsets and services that distinguished the providers which there were few if I recall.
In light of the now iOS 4 debacle which isn't unique to any new device, yet poignantly sensitive in light of the single current network, would it be so bad if the FCC adopted [as they now appear making noises to do with broadband] the care of the cell network?
I'm currently a VZ user, like the service but if this did come to pass, service providers agreeing to compete - on service, then I think all involved will prosper, and we (the U.S.) and begin to restore or technical creditability and who knows gain better coverage world wide.
Now imagine in preparation for that, the iPhone x.y could pick its network via a sim or other user method...!?
/los "I was a teenage net-random"

Answer 1

Sorry my view of 'most counties' is myopic and at best and limited to S.A. vs U.S. and I'm "just a user".
It's just that in world of ever required communication access, a seamless cell/broad band network is becoming a requirement. I hope the dawn of such a day won't diminish competition but instead energize the players to truly compete on an better / equal footing.
So I guess the question I was really posing is, would a unified network stymie competition?
/los "I was a teenage net-random"