US senators propose bill to require 'accurate 4G information for consumers'
Three Democratic members of the U.S. Senate introduced on Thursday the "Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act," which aims to clear up confusion surrounding 4G high-speed wireless data networks and control what carriers can and must say in their advertisements.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., announced the act on Thursday, which they said would "require wireless providers to disclose complete and accurate information about their 4G wireless data service in their sales and advertising practices." It mirrors legislation passed in the House of Representatives this past June.
The proposed act would require companies to disclose specific details in their marketing and advertising. The bill was created because there is no standard definition for 4G wireless broadband Internet.
The bill would require that the following details be included at the point of sale and also in all customers' billing materials:
Guaranteed minimum data speed
Network reliability
Coverage area maps
Pricing
Technology used to provide 4G service
Network conditions that can impact the speed of applications and services used on the network
In addition, the bill would require that the Federal Communications Commission evaluate the speed and price of 4G wireless data service provided by the top ten U.S. wireless carriers. Customers could then have access to a side-by-side comparison of providers in their services area.
The proposed legislation comes after two of the four largest carriers in the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile, have begun advertising their networks as "4G," even though they do not run on "true" 4G technology like long-term evolution, or LTE.
Last week, evidence surfaced that AT&T wants to go a step farther, and is attempting to convince Apple to add "4G" indicator to the iPhone 4S status bar, because the iPhone 4S is capable of HSDPA speeds in some areas. However, AT&T's HSDPA network is different -- and slower -- than its smaller 4G LTE network the carrier is currently expanding.
Blumenthal said he believes the bill, if passed, can help bring "fairness and certainty to consumers."
"As consumers become more reliant on Internet capabilities from their mobile devices, it is essential that they have the most accurate and useful information about the products and plans they are purchasing," he said. "Whether they are using a tablet or a smartphone, wireless users deserve an honest description by companies of product capabilities."
AT&T is hoping to expand its network, including HSDPA+ and LTE coverage, with a proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. But that deal has been met with skepticism by members of a U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee.
Blumenthal previously partnered with Franken in June to present a bill to enforce mobile privacy laws on companies like Apple and Google. The legislation was spurred in part by the location data controversy that involved Apple's iOS devices. The glitch that stored location data on GPS-enabled iOS devices was fixed with a software update.
"While wireless data makes it easier for people all over Minnesota to do their jobs and to access music, movies, and books from virtually anywhere, it's important that consumers know what they'll be paying for when they sign a contract," Franken said. "Wireless providers need to make sure their customers can count on the speed, reliability, and the price they were promised when they signed up. And if they can't fulfill their promise, they need to be held accountable."
Kloubuchar said she believes customers have a right to know clearly and specifically what they are getting when they sign up for a 4G data plan.
"This legislation will help ensure that wireless companies are honest about their product's capabilities so consumers can get a fair deal," she said.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., announced the act on Thursday, which they said would "require wireless providers to disclose complete and accurate information about their 4G wireless data service in their sales and advertising practices." It mirrors legislation passed in the House of Representatives this past June.
The proposed act would require companies to disclose specific details in their marketing and advertising. The bill was created because there is no standard definition for 4G wireless broadband Internet.
The bill would require that the following details be included at the point of sale and also in all customers' billing materials:
Guaranteed minimum data speed
Network reliability
Coverage area maps
Pricing
Technology used to provide 4G service
Network conditions that can impact the speed of applications and services used on the network
In addition, the bill would require that the Federal Communications Commission evaluate the speed and price of 4G wireless data service provided by the top ten U.S. wireless carriers. Customers could then have access to a side-by-side comparison of providers in their services area.
The proposed legislation comes after two of the four largest carriers in the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile, have begun advertising their networks as "4G," even though they do not run on "true" 4G technology like long-term evolution, or LTE.
Last week, evidence surfaced that AT&T wants to go a step farther, and is attempting to convince Apple to add "4G" indicator to the iPhone 4S status bar, because the iPhone 4S is capable of HSDPA speeds in some areas. However, AT&T's HSDPA network is different -- and slower -- than its smaller 4G LTE network the carrier is currently expanding.
Blumenthal said he believes the bill, if passed, can help bring "fairness and certainty to consumers."
"As consumers become more reliant on Internet capabilities from their mobile devices, it is essential that they have the most accurate and useful information about the products and plans they are purchasing," he said. "Whether they are using a tablet or a smartphone, wireless users deserve an honest description by companies of product capabilities."
AT&T is hoping to expand its network, including HSDPA+ and LTE coverage, with a proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. But that deal has been met with skepticism by members of a U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee.
Blumenthal previously partnered with Franken in June to present a bill to enforce mobile privacy laws on companies like Apple and Google. The legislation was spurred in part by the location data controversy that involved Apple's iOS devices. The glitch that stored location data on GPS-enabled iOS devices was fixed with a software update.
"While wireless data makes it easier for people all over Minnesota to do their jobs and to access music, movies, and books from virtually anywhere, it's important that consumers know what they'll be paying for when they sign a contract," Franken said. "Wireless providers need to make sure their customers can count on the speed, reliability, and the price they were promised when they signed up. And if they can't fulfill their promise, they need to be held accountable."
Kloubuchar said she believes customers have a right to know clearly and specifically what they are getting when they sign up for a 4G data plan.
"This legislation will help ensure that wireless companies are honest about their product's capabilities so consumers can get a fair deal," she said.
Comments
i think i just bought an 8G phone and plan from at&t ... i am sooo far ahead of you guys.
By the time they would pass anything like this, you will.
At least not the ones who can't discern for them selves the differences in "4G" marketing speak.
When I look at all the issues that require attention in this country, this is the one that always boils to the top for me.
</sarcasm>
To hell with this - let's see some legislation that requires carriers to sell all handsets unlocked.
Fixed.
To hell with this - let's see some legislation that requires carriers to unlock all subsidized handsets after the contract ends.
Or lower the price after the contract period ends.
Fixed.
Yes I concur! Carriers should have NO say as to what I can do with my phone as long as I still pay what my contract states. You shouldn't have to wait until your contract ends to get it unlocked, you should be able to unlock it immediately.
The way I see it, you pay that subsidized price for a phone so that your carrier can lock you into paying for their services for at least 2 years. As long the user is doing that, who gives a flying spaghetti monster what you do with the actual phone?
UNLOCK AT POS!!!
The bill was created because there is no standard definition for 4G wireless broadband Internet.
This is not true.
'The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has the job of deciding which G is which. Under its definition, LTE is 3.9G.
The ITU's standard for 4G technology demands that it be capable of pushing data around at a rate of 1 gigabit per second. LTE is designed to handle a mere 100 megabits per second.'
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15079004
However... I applaud any effort to fix the mess. Since the "4G" term has been dumbed down to allow companies to abuse the hell out of it... it has become a joke.
Its a sad state of affairs in the States how the major carriers smoke-n-mirror consumers. Where I live now.... 3G speed is 21.6Mbit/s down and 5.7Mbit/s up.... where as our 4G services is 100Mbit/s on the down and 50Mbit/s on the up. Oh... and did I mention its true unlimited at those speeds?
Though... keep in mind... at least here that is... that 4G has a very VERY limited footprint. Also... 4G devices do not necessarily downgrade to 3G service as the two are often incompatible... you need to read the fine print.
FYI: Here are the plan comparisons (PC& Tablets): https://www.emt.ee/en/internet-arvut...4079272-tabs-2
btw - not trying to brag... just would love the consumers to stand up and say enough is enough!
Truth in advertising ... wow what a concept.
1. If the Senate was concerned about truth, none of them would ever speak in public.
2. The consumer that believes an advertisement deserves what he/she/it gets. There are plenty of private consumer protection and information groups. Do we really need two branches of the Federal Government acting as yet another?
I loved the list of requirements. Guaranteed minimum speed....
Guaranteed minimum data speed
Network reliability
Coverage area maps
Pricing
Technology used to provide 4G service
For the first one - wish we had that for broadband internet speeds. For the last one - how about that fact that all current iterations of 4g were not the orignal 4g that was supposed to be faster than 30mbps
Instead of defining 4G, it needs to be the framework for defining ALL Gs. ALL future iterations of cellular data forced to have a minimum speed. And whatever else.
And it needs to include BROBDINGNAGIANLY HUGE fines for the telecoms that aren't following the rules NOW.
Yes, I'm talking about retroactive legislation. Something needs to be done, at least.
I think its silly that congress needs to be involved with this... after all... shouldn't this rest on the shoulders of the FCC & FTC?
The FCC and FTC get their authority, including limits, from the Legislative Branch. Well, that's the way it was drawn up long ago between Legislative and Executive. Not having read the bill, I'd guess that it authorizes the FCC to keep an eye on this and the DoJ to take action when the FCC notices a violation and perhaps some penalties for the 3rd Branch so they aren't bored.
"NEW AND IMPROVED" - (never have to answer any quesions at all).
The ITU has already defined it. Basically, WIMAX, LTE, and HSPA+ are all 4G now (as of last December).
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/p...s/2010/48.aspx
To hell with this - let's see some legislation that requires carriers to unlock all subsidized handsets after the contract ends.
+1 We already have that in the UK, but clearly should be available in the US