Scrutiny of Phone Fees May Broaden to TV, Internet

(5/31) A June 12 federal hearing on penalties that cellphone users pay for canceling their contracts early may be expanded to include a discussion on similar fees for ending cable and Internet services ahead of schedule, said Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin Friday. The attention to cancellation fees illustrates a growing frustration among consumers, who spend an average of $200 each month for wireless phone, cable and Internet services. Many see the fees as an unfair penalty that makes it difficult to switch providers. Early-termination fees were among the five most common complaints by cellphone users, who filed 20,300 service-related complaints in 2007, according to the FCC. Many wireless companies are fighting lawsuits seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in fees that have been collected from former subscribers. Cable, DSL Internet and paid television services such as Verizon's FiOS also have had an increase in complaints from consumers about early-termination fees.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/30/AR200805...
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