NARUC Balks at Giving Wireless Oversight to Feds

STATE GROUP BALKS AT GIVING WIRELESS OVERSIGHT TO FEDS
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
The cellular telephone lobby suffered a setback Wednesday in its effort to replace state-by-state regulation of the industry with a federal system. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) appeared ready to pass a resolution that critics said ceded too much state authority over the industry to the Federal Communications Commission. A telecommunications subcommittee of the association voted in favor of the resolution by a 13-8 vote, despite a negative recommendation by its staff. But the full committee decided to delay a final vote on the measure after a lengthy debate. Federal law prohibits states from regulating wireless rates, but gives them authority over "other terms and conditions" of contracts, such as early termination fees, penalties assessed by wireless companies on customers who quit their contracts prematurely.
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