FCC to hold hearing on early termination fees

The Federal Communications Commission has scheduled a June 12 hearing to debate whether the agency should regulate early termination-fees (ETFs) on cell phone contracts. The FCC already is negotiating with several carriers on how it would assume federal oversight over EFTs, which currently are subject to state laws. The proposals include capping the fees at an undisclosed amount, requiring carriers to prorate ETFs, and prohibiting the providers from charging an ETF in the first 30 days of a customer's contract. Though many carriers prorate their ETFs already, they are not required to do so. If the FCC assumes ownership of the fees, such policies would become compulsory for carriers. But in exchange, the new federal oversight would pre-empt the class action lawsuits.
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