Congress to make leaving
carriers jet-set easy

Perhaps observing consumers' exponential unhappiness with US mobile carriers, Congress is forming a wireless consumer rights bill.

On Wednesday, the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing to consider requiring the FCC to make carriers offer plans without early termination fees — and ban fees without FCC approval, reports InformationWeek.

The proposed Wireless Consumer Protection and Community Broadband Empowerment Act of 2008 would require carriers to provide customers with month-long trials and coverage maps. The act also prevents governments from banning municipal broadband efforts.

The act was designed to address customer complaints about confusing or unfair contract terms and extensions, inability to switch carriers due to high early termination fees, and poor coverage.

The complaints drove states to pass corrective legislation. As a result, the wireless industry is faced with regulatory measures that vary from state-to-state, making overall compliance difficult.