The Commission has adopted Truth-in-Billing rules to improve consumers' understanding of their telephone bills. Among other things, section 64.2401 of the rules require that a telephone company's bill must: (1) be accompanied by a brief, clear, non-misleading, plain language description of the service or services rendered; (2) identify the service provider associated with each charge; (3) clearly and conspicuously identify any change in service provider; (4) contain full and non-misleading descriptions of charges; (5) identify those charges for which failure to pay will not result in disconnection of the customer's basic local service; and (6) provide a toll-free number for customers to call in order to lodge a complaint or obtain information.
The Commission also determined that all telecommunications providers should use standard labels on bills when referring to line item charges relating to federal regulatory action, such as universal service fees, subscriber line charges, and local number portability charges.
Major Truth-In-Billing Orders and Notices
10/14/10
FCC Proposes Rules to Help Mobile Phone Users Avoid "Bill Shock".
News Release:
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Acrobat [2]
NPRM:
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Genachowski Statement:
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Copps Statement:
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McDowell Statement:
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Clyburn Statement:
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Acrobat [12]
Baker Statement:
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Acrobat [14]
10/13/10
FCC Paper Finds Ongoing Consumer Frustration With "Bill Shock".
News Release:
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Acrobat [16]
White Paper:
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Acrobat [18]
5/26/10
FCC Survey Confirms Consumers Experience Mobile Bill Shock and Confusion About
Early Termination Fees.
News Release:
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Acrobat [20]
Survey:
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Acrobat [22]
Tips:
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Acrobat [24]
5/25/10
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Announces the Dates for Filing Comments
and Reply Comments on its Public Notice Regarding "Bill Shock"
Public Notice:
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5/11/10
Comment Sought on Measures Designed to Assist U.S. Wireless Consumers to Avoid
"Bill Shock".
Public Notice:
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Acrobat [27]
8/27/09
FCC Seeks Comment on Additional Opportunities to Protect and Empower Consumers
in Communications Marketplace.
News Release:
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Acrobat [29]
NOI:
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Acrobat [31]
Presentation:
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Genachowski Statement:
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Acrobat [34]
Copps Statement:
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Acrobat [36]
McDowell Statement:
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Acrobat [38]
Clyburn Statement:
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Acrobat [40]
Baker Statement:
Word [41] |
Acrobat [42]
10/07/2005
FCC Announces OMB Approval of Revised Information Collection(s) Concerning Its
Truth-In-Billing Rules.
News Release:
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Acrobat [44]
3/18/2005
FCC Extends Truth-in-Billing Rules to Wireless Phones; Seeks Comment on
Additional Measures to Increase Ability of Consumers to Make Informed Choices.
Order:
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Acrobat [46]
News Release (3/10/05):
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Acrobat [48]
Powell Statement:
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Abernathy Statement:
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Acrobat [52]
Copps Statement:
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Acrobat [54]
Adelstein Statement:
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Acrobat [56]
6/23/2004
NASUCA PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING REGARDING TRUTH-IN-BILLING. Granted
NASUCA's Motion for Extension of Time. Revised Reply Comment Date: August 13,
2004. (Dkt No. 04-208). Reply Comments Due: 08/13/2004. Adopted: 06/23/2004 by
ORDER. (DA No. 04-1820)
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Acrobat [58]
5/25/2004
National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) Petition for
Declaratory Ruling Regarding Truth-in-Billing and Billing Format, CG Docket No.
04-208, Pleading Cycle Established, (DA No. 04-1495)
Word [59] |
Acrobat [60]
12/13/2002
Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No.
98-170, FCC 02-329, 17 FCC Rcd 24952
Word [61] |
Acrobat [62] |
Errata [63]
03/31/2000
Errata, DA 00-745, 15 FCC Rcd 16544 (Com. Car. Bur. 2000)
Word [64] |
Acrobat [65]
03/23/2000
Order on Reconsideration,
FCC 00-111, 15 FCC Rcd 6023 (2000) [66]
04/15/1999
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No.
98-170, FCC 99-72, 14 FCC Rcd 7492
Word [67] |
Acrobat [68] |
News Release [69]