FCC To Hold Hearings On Early Termination Fees

Isaac-Lew sends word of an article in the Washington Post reporting that on June 12 the FCC will hold a hearing regarding cellphone early termination fees. The Commission may look at early termination fees for TV and Internet service as well. The wireless carriers are taking a Bre'r Rabbit approach toward possible FCC regulation of early termination fees — the FCC's intervention would pre-empt a number of class-action lawsuits going forward against Verizon, Sprint, and others. These suits, stemming from state regulations, could cost the carriers billions. "...the carriers have renewed a lobbying effort in recent weeks to persuade the FCC on a legal definition that would stave off the state lawsuits on cancellation fees. On May 6, 2008, Verizon Wireless chief executive Lowell McAdam and the company's chief lobbyist, Tom Tauke, met with [FCC Chairman] Martin, urging him to adopt a federal policy, according to FCC records."

Comments

Re:read the effin contract

[pak9rabid]

don't like termination fees? don't sign a contract agreeing to pay them if you leave. duh. it's not like you have some inalienable god-given right to a cell phone. hence the contract. Easier said than done when none of the competitors offer anything w/out a contract. In this day in age, going w/out a cellphone simply isn't a choice for most people. I tried to go as long as humanly possible without a cell phone (I absolutely HATE phones), but eventually had to cave in due to social, school, and work-related issues..not to mention with pay-phones disappearing nowadays, it can be a pain in the ass to make a phone call when you're in unfamiliar territory.