Where I live (Australia) we have 3 independent and redundant wireless networks (Telstra, Optus & Vodaphone). Each has their own infrastructure. The case is even more extreme in Africa, where there are huge numbers of small cellular carriers with redundant infrastructure.
During the early 90's many telecom companies either had protected monopoly status or were government owned. Neither worked well, because disruptive technology meant that they were undercut in price by newer competitors which were also able to offer new, innovative services that the incumbents could not - or would not - match.
Cellular network infrastructure isn't like roads, pipes or train tracks where you build it and then maintain it forever. It requires constant investment in new technology, and it isn't at all clear to me that government ownership of protected monopoly status would be beneficial to the consumer.
During the early 90's many telecom companies either had protected monopoly status or were government owned. Neither worked well, because disruptive technology meant that they were undercut in price by newer competitors which were also able to offer new, innovative services that the incumbents could not - or would not - match.
Cellular network infrastructure isn't like roads, pipes or train tracks where you build it and then maintain it forever. It requires constant investment in new technology, and it isn't at all clear to me that government ownership of protected monopoly status would be beneficial to the consumer.