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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C.  20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
October 17, 2012
Neil Grace, 202-418-0506
Email: neil.grace@fcc.gov  

FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES MAJOR 

PROGRESS IN USAGE-BASED ALERT PROGRAM TO PROTECT 

MOBILE CONSUMERS FROM ‘BILL SHOCK’; WIRELESS CARRIERS 

MEET AND BEAT DEADLINE TO PROVIDE FREE DATA, VOICE, TEXT 

& INTERNATIONAL ALERTS 
Hundreds of millions of wireless customers can now receive automatic usage alerts when consumption of 
data, voice, text & international charges approaches or exceeds plan limits; More than 97% of wireless 
customers across the country on track to be protected from bill shock by April 2013
Washington, D.C. – FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced today that participating U.S. wireless 
companies have met or beat the deadline to provide wireless customers with free, automatic usage-based 
alerts when they approach or exceed plan limits for data, voice and text – as well as alerts for international 
charges.  This marks significant progress in the Commission’s effort to eliminate ‘bill shock,’ launched 
exactly one year ago (October 17, 2011) by Chairman Genachowski, who was joined by CTIA-The 
Wireless Association (CTIA) and Consumers Union.  
Chairman Genachowski has made eliminating bill shock a central part of the Commission’s Consumer 
Empowerment Agenda.  Bill shock occurs when wireless customers experience a sudden, unexpected 
increase in their monthly bill as a result of unknowingly exceeding plan limits for data, voice, or texts, or 
incur significant international charges.  

Chairman Genachowski said

, “When we launched this initiative last year, we made a commitment that 
the FCC would remain vigilant to ensure this agreement was effective for consumers.  We have, and it is.  
Today, by harnessing technology to empower consumers, almost all Americans can receive alerts to help 
avoid unexpected charges, giving them the information they need to manage monthly wireless bills.  I’m 
pleased to report that we’re on track to full industry compliance by April.  I want to thank the wireless 
industry and Consumers Union for their continued partnership in this important effort.”  
In 2010, the FCC identified bill shock as a growing consumer problem that needed a solution.  According 
to a 2011 survey by Consumers Union, roughly one in five Americans with mobile phone plans received 
unexpected charges on their bills during the previous year.  In total, that amounts to tens of millions of 
people nationwide.  
A voluntary agreement by CTIA, which includes as its members the overwhelming majority of wireless 
carriers in the nation, offered a series of commitments that would help eliminate the problem of bill shock 
by April 2013.  That includes a commitment that CTIA members provide at least 2 out of the 4 types of 
alerts (data, voice, text, international roaming) by today, October 17th.  Chairman Genachowski 

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announced today that U.S wireless companies have met or exceeded this goal and are on track to provide 
all alerts by April 2013. 
To track progress, the FCC launched a 

Bill Shock Web Portal 

earlier this year to give consumers at-a-
glance updates about carriers’ implementation progress.  Click 

HERE

(http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/bill-shock-wireless-usage-alerts-consumers) to visit the webpage.  The 
Bill Shock Web Portal also offers links to participating carrier websites, meeting commitments from last 
year’s agreement to clearly disclose policies and tools regarding usage balances and alerts.  

ABOUT CHAIRMAN GENACHOWSKI’S ‘CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT AGENDA’

The FCC’s Consumer Empowerment Agenda focuses on harnessing technology and information to help 
consumers make informed decisions in the communications marketplace. The agency’s Consumer 
Empowerment Agenda includes resources to help Americans protect themselves against cramming, 
mystery fees, and bill shock along with greater openness and transparency efforts to make more data 
easily available to the public. In the past year, the FCC has introduced new consumer-oriented initiatives 
to combat cell phone theft, prevent hidden fees on prepaid calling cards, and enforcement actions to 
protect consumers from robocalls and jammers.
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FCC-

News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found
on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.

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