In this rulemaking, we propose rules that would require mobile service providers to provide usage alerts and information that will assist consumers in avoiding unexpected charges on their bills. The Commission's data, including both complaint and survey results, indicates that many mobile consumers experience sudden, unexpected increases in their monthly bills that are not caused by intentional changes in their service plans.
The Commission's recent survey confirms that as many as 30 million Americans have experienced such unexpected increases in their wireless bills, commonly referred to as "bill shock." Bill shock can result from a number of causes such as an unexpected increase that comes from high roaming fees or exceeding a monthly allotment of voice minutes, texts, or data consumption. This type of bill shock can be prevented by timely and easily accessible usage information.
In this rulemaking, we propose rules that would require mobile service providers to provide usage alerts and information that will assist consumers in avoiding unexpected charges on their bills. The Commission's data, including both complaint and survey results, indicates that many mobile consumers experience sudden, unexpected increases in their monthly bills that are not caused by intentional changes in their service plans.
The Commission's recent survey confirms that as many as 30 million Americans have experienced such unexpected increases in their wireless bills, commonly referred to as "bill shock." Bill shock can result from a number of causes such as an unexpected increase that comes from high roaming fees or exceeding a monthly allotment of voice minutes, texts, or data consumption. This type of bill shock can be prevented by timely and easily accessible usage information.
Links:
[1] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-988A1.pdf
[2] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1127A1.pdf
[3] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1249A1.pdf
[4] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1349A1.pdf
[5] http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-302735A1.pdf
[6] http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/Query.do?docket=09-158
[7] http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017341607
[8] http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017341064
[9] http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017341063
[10] http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017339594
[11] http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment_search/execute?proceeding=09-158
[12] http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/