Cellphone bill of rights legislation gets backing

The nation’s top consumer groups threw their weight behind new legislation to set federal standards for contracts, early termination fees, billing, disclosure and other mobile-phone industry practices that have sparked controversy and lawsuits in recent years.
“Most wireless carriers advertise a price significantly lower than the bill consumers pay each month, adding mysterious regulatory charges and other junk fees. If this legislation is passed it would go a long ways toward eliminating those shenanigans,” said Chris Murray, senior counsel for Consumers Union.
The cellphone bill of rights is sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), both members of the Senate Commerce Committee. The wireless industry opposes the bill, arguing Congress should not be considering new federal mandates at a time when wireless complaints to the Federal Communications Commission are declining. Klochubar, a freshman senator who is quickly becoming an outspoken consumer advocate in Congress, replies that FCC consumer data tell only part of the story. She said wireless subscribers also vent their frustrations with state agencies, the Better Business Bureau and other entities.
“For most wireless users, their wireless company is also their local telephone monopoly, and nobody can offer the same bundle of wireless, local phone and high-speed Internet. The wireless industry will blow a lot of hot air trying to convince you that they’re so competitive, they don’t need oversight. One quick glance at their anti-consumer practices demonstrates otherwise,” said Mark Cooper, research director for the Consumer Federation of America.