Because no single wireless carrier has licensed spectrum and network facilities covering the entire United States, wireless voice or data customers traveling beyond their carrier’s geographic coverage area sometimes must “roam” on other carriers’ networks to maintain access to wireless services. MDRD handles disputes between carriers concerning the reasonableness of voice and data roaming rates.
Representative Cases
NTCH, Inc. v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
Order - EB Docket # 14-212, File No. EB-13-MD-006 (EB 2016)
The Enforcement Bureau denied a complaint alleging that the voice and data roaming rates of a wireless carrier were unjust and unreasonable, unreasonably discriminatory, and commercially unreasonable.
Flat Wireless, LLC v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
Order - Proceeding # 15-147, Bureau ID Number EB-15-MD-005 (2018)
The Commission found that a wireless carrier did not violate the Commission’s voice and data roaming rules, denying a complaint that the carrier’s rates were unjust and unreasonable, unreasonably discriminatory, and commercially unreasonable.
Worldcall Interconnect, Inc. a/k/a Evolve Broadband v. AT&T Mobility LLC
Order on Review - Proceeding # 14-221, Bureau ID No. EB-14-MD-011 (2017)
The Commission denied an Application for Review of an MDRD order applying Commission rule 20.12(e) to a roaming rate dispute and finding that the complainant had failed to demonstrate that the proposed data roaming rates are commercially unreasonable.
Statutory and Rule Provisions
- 47 CFR §§ 1.720-1.740 - formal complaint rules
- 47 CFR § 20.12 - roaming rules