Senators tackle wireless industry standards

We hear in the news all the time about people frustrated with long-term cell phone contracts, undisclosed fees, bad service, and the inability to switch providers. One remedy to nearly all consumer complaints against wireless carriers is a bill proposed by Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Jay Rockefeller, democrats from Minnesota and West Virginia, respectively. Though politicians often unveil proposed legislation as a public relations stunt knowing it will never get to a vote, the rules they’ve drafted are a great start toward reforming the mobile industry. Among the changes in the Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007, Klobuchar and Rockefeller propose the following:

• Pro-rate early termination fees so that consumers aren’t hit with a huge loss a few months before their contract expires if they choose to end it
• Detailed maps so consumers can see if a company’s coverage area includes where they live and work
• Mandatory reporting by carriers of dropped calls and coverage gaps to the FCC
• No contract extensions unless a point-of-sale notice is given
• An FCC report studying the practice of handset locking (not being able to change carriers based on your phone model) to see its effect on consumer behavior and competition

Quality of service will always be an issue, but at least some of the industry-wide complaints consumers have would be addressed by this legislation. Should consumers have the right to opt out of a contract early, know where their phone will work, and change carriers without having to buy a new phone?