It is pervasive, opressive and has stifled technical innovation since 1934 and became exponentially worse in 1996.
1996 would be around the time the telcos went to the government with their hands out, demanding $$$ in exchange for providing broadband Internet access to everyone.
People think all regulation is top-down. It isn't always so. The telcos like much of the regulation because it ensures monopolies, creates high barriers to entry and fattens their wallets. This is so because they usually help write the laws and regulations that govern them. Thus they welcome it.
But when the people ask for regulations to stop telco abuse, suddenly the telcos think regulation is bad. Then they spend millions on mass astroturf and lobbying campaigns to stop it.