Cell phone users' hang-ups motivate a bill in Congress

CELL PHONE USERS' HANG-UPS MOTIVATE A BILL IN CONGRESS
[SOURCE: Star Tribune, AUTHOR: Nina Petersen-perlman nperlman@startribune.com]
A bill that U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced this month would give the nation's 200 million cell phone users greater flexibility to exit cell phone contracts. The bill she is calling the cell phone "bill of rights" would prorate early termination fees, basing them on the time left on the contract. The Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act, which Sen Klobuchar authored with fellow Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee, would also require full disclosure of contract terms. The prospect of reduced termination fees has consumer advocacy groups excited. The fees can run up to $200 with most carriers if people want out of their contracts early. Another part of Klobuchar's bill would ensure that cell companies distribute coverage maps with street-level detail to potential customers and give them a 30-day window to test the coverage before committing to a contract.
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