USA subscribers surprised by unexpected fees- FCC

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: According to a survey released by the Federal Communications Commission as part of a drive to extract clearer information from wireless carriers, unexpected monthly fees is faced by one in six U.S. mobile-phone customers. It has also been revealed that almost half of consumers subscribing to plans with fees for dropping service before the end of a contract didn’t know the amount they would be charged.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski opined that there is still more that can be done to help customers navigate what is sometimes a confusing marketplace and consumers would be helped by simple and easy to understand purchase and billing procedures. Rules similar to the ones applied in Europe might be faced by the telecom operators like Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc in the USA.

As per the research, out of the 30 million Americans who were surprised by their bills, 88 percent weren’t contacted by their carriers when charges increased and 84 percent weren’t contacted when they were about to exceed their allowed minutes, text messages, or data downloads.  Only 36 percent of mobile-phone customers who are familiar with their bills believed that they include very clear information on early termination fees. More than a third of people surprised by a bill felt that the charges jumped by at least $50 and 23 percent said the increase was $100 or more.

According to Steve Largent, president of the Washington based CTIA , The Wireless Association, it seems the commission is going to attempt to micromanage what is an incredible array of choices for consumers and asserted that the wireless industry does provide simple and easy to understand plans for every type of American consumer.

3,005 adults were included in the telephonic survey that extended from April 19 to May 2 and for responses based on those with personal cell phones, or about 80 percent of respondents, the margin of error was plus or minus two percentage points.