WASHINGTON-Maryland State Sen. Brian Frosh (D) and two other lawmakers have introduced legislation to step up regulation of mobile phone carriers, continuing a growing trend of state activism throughout the country in response to rising consumer complaints about service quality, billing and contracts.
The Frosh bill would specify quality of service standards; require full disclosure (in a format crafted by the state) of service and pricing options available to residential customers; allow subscribers to break contracts and return phones within 14 days of signing contracts; and empower the Maryland Public Utility Commission to investigate complaints by gaining access to the books and records of mobile phone operators.
Various PUCs and state attorneys general have ongoing investigations of wireless industry business practices, probes that have prompted lawsuits and that could lead to greater regulation of the cell phone industry at the state level.
On Capitol Hill, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) plans shortly to reintroduce a measure calling on the Federal Communications Commission to toughen its oversight of wireless consumer complaints. Weiner is expected to sponsor a separate bill addressing problems wireless subscribers face in making 911 calls.
