Klobuchar: FCC survey supports plan to rein in cell phone termination penalties

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said the Federal Communications Commission's survey on consumer cell phone experiences supports her bill that would force wireless companies to do a better job at explaining and notifying subscribers of penalties for leaving their contracts early.

Last December, Klobuchar, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wi.), Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Begich (D-AK), introduced a bill that would require wireless providers to pro-rate early termination fees (ETFs) and clearly notify customers about the fee, not only at the time of purchase, but for the duration of their contracts. "The FCC's consumer survey confirms what we have known for a long time - that confusing Early Termination Fees undermine competition and result in less consumer choice," said Sen Klobuchar. "Nearly two out of three Americans have seriously considered switching cell phone providers but ultimately decided to stay with their current provider because of a cancellation fee. Like a rigged carnival game, wireless providers bury these fees in the fine print and slam consumers if they try to find better service or save a few bucks in their monthly bill."