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The Commission plans to look into whether changes need to be made to "truth-in-billing" rules to ensure customers know what the line items on their bills are actually funding.

The FCC's actions are the latest sign of the Obama administration's determination to bring heavier regulatory scrutiny on the wireless industry.

In June, the Justice Department began reviewing whether U.S. carriers such as AT&T and Verizon engaged in anticompetitive behavior.

It looked into whether consumers were being hurt -- and their choices limited -- by exclusive handset arrangements like deals linking AT&T to Apple's iPhone, Sprint to Palm's Pre and Verizon to Research in Motion's BlackBerry Storm.

Verizon has said it will limit the time it holds on exclusive handset deals, allowing small rivals to sell the same devices after six months.

The FCC also started reviewing a complaint by Skype that providers blocked customers from using its low-cost Internet-based calling services.

Separately, it fired off letters to Apple, AT&T and Google inquiring why Apple recently rejected Google Voice -- a cheaper calling and text alternative -- from its App Store.

FCC investigators are intent on finding out whether Apple is unfairly flexing its muscle in the smartphone market.

"Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it," said Catherine Novelli, Apple's vice president of worldwide global affairs. "Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application."

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said the inquiry letters were sent because the agency wanted to get "the facts and data necessary to make the best policy decisions on behalf of the American people."

The Sherman Antitrust Act, which covers monopolistic and anticompetitive behavior, has been used in the past against giants such as Standard Oil and Microsoft.

It's not yet clear how these battles will turn out as a result of the inquiries.