How consumers' groups aim to shape telecom policy

In the first in a series series, TelephonyOnline explores several of the key telecom consumer groups -- their history, funding, previous successes and current areas of emphasis -- and takes a look at the role these groups may play moving forward. Consumer advocacy groups involved in telecom -- including the Consumer Federation of America, the Consumers Union, the Free Press and Public Knowledge -- could gain more clout under a Democratic administration. Most telecom issues pit certain groups within the industry against others. Handset exclusivity, for example, is largely a big-carrier-versus-small-carrier issue, while net neutrality pits virtually all communications service providers--including telcos and cable companies--against the information technology giants. By weighing in on one side or the other, consumer groups increasingly may help to tip the scales. This article focuses on Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports. Recent Consumers Union victories in the telecom area include helping to overturn FCC media ownership rules, leading to narrower rules aimed at boosting competition and diversity and leading the effort to convince Congress and the White House to delay the digital TV transition.