WASHINGTON-California mobile-phone operators say a proposed bill of rights for telecom consumers will increase subscribers’ bills by nearly $4 a month and result in a loss of 11,500 jobs in the state.
The claims are included in two new studies wireless carriers filed with the California Public Utilities Commission Monday. The mobile-phone firms want the PUC to make the two studies a part of the record and consider the alleged ramifications before issuing new rules. The two studies-conducted by the Law & Economic Consulting Group L.L.C.-include modifications of a report on cost impact issued earlier this year by the same firm on behalf of California mobile-phone carriers. The new studies are based on a revised draft decision penned by Commissioner Carl Wood.
The bill of rights plan is up for vote at Thursday’s PUC meeting, but the item likely will be pulled from the agenda to give commissioners more time to study the matter.
Later today, Commissioners Geoffrey Brown and Susan Kennedy will meet with industry representatives, consumer advocates and others in San Francisco for a second time to discuss the proposed bill of rights.
