FCC mandates voice, text, PTT roaming; data and broadband up to market

Wireless carriers must allow wireless customers of competing operators using similar technology to automatically roam on their networks when outside of their home coverage area, the Federal Communications Commission ruled yesterday.
FCC members unanimously voted in favor of new rules that require carriers to offer “reasonable and non-discriminatory” roaming services to other carriers’ customers upon request. However, bowing to the long-held creed of letting the marketplace determine all, the ruling fell short of imposing a cap on how much carriers can charge others for the service.
The FCC’s ruling included voice, text messaging and push-to-talk services, but doesn’t include data or broadband services. The commission said it would accept public comments on whether data services should be included in the new rules. Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein both said they favored such an amendment. Chairman Kevin Martin said the market should decide.