Cell Phone Bill of Rights
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has introduced the "Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act". Among other things, it proposes a so-called Cell Phone Bill of Rights as follows:
• Consumers would have greater flexibility in ending contracts early, with termination fees prorated.
• Cell phone companies would be prohibited from charging fees not mandated by state or federal law.
• Companies would be required to supply coverage maps with street-level detail to potential customers.
• Consumers would get 30 days to test coverage before committing to a contract.
Link to Minneapolis StarTribune article by Nina Petersen-Perlman
Senator Klobuchar's Press release.
I often roll my eyes whenever government officials try to "protect" us. Consumer protection, however, is one place where I tend to be more supportive of legislative measures. In my opinion, the cell-phone industry and the airline industry are two which have spent any credibility with the consuming public. They deserve to have government impose a minimal set of regulations to protect us from exploitation. To this extent, I intend to write my senator and ask him to support this bill. I would encourage anyone else to who agrees to contact their senator as well.
• Consumers would have greater flexibility in ending contracts early, with termination fees prorated.
• Cell phone companies would be prohibited from charging fees not mandated by state or federal law.
• Companies would be required to supply coverage maps with street-level detail to potential customers.
• Consumers would get 30 days to test coverage before committing to a contract.
Link to Minneapolis StarTribune article by Nina Petersen-Perlman
Senator Klobuchar's Press release.
I often roll my eyes whenever government officials try to "protect" us. Consumer protection, however, is one place where I tend to be more supportive of legislative measures. In my opinion, the cell-phone industry and the airline industry are two which have spent any credibility with the consuming public. They deserve to have government impose a minimal set of regulations to protect us from exploitation. To this extent, I intend to write my senator and ask him to support this bill. I would encourage anyone else to who agrees to contact their senator as well.
Comments
DirectTV for example demanded to extend my contract everytime I had to sneeze in their direction. I no longer do business with them.
Nick
We don't need a consumer bill of rights. We need to stop taking the damn free phones and then you don't have a contract to which you are tied.
DirectTV for example demanded to extend my contract everytime I had to sneeze in their direction. I no longer do business with them.
Nick
Here here! I buy my cell phones unlocked with no strings.