National Phone Regulations Advancing
While many states are individually trying to regulate and rein-in wireless carriers, Techdirt has long argued for national regulations in this industry. This is an industry with national companies providing a service that is oblivious to political borders, and state-by-state regulation not only fails to make sense, but is expensive, complicated, and might actually lead to more consumer confusion, not less. It's refreshing, then, to hear that Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is now pushing for a national solution to the "cellular customer bill of rights" issue. The industry, needless to say, is against any and all regulation, preferring the chimeric "self-regulation". However, industry certainly prefers a national approach to regional. With the pressure presently being exerted by the CPUC, it seems to be a likely time that the carriers will be willing to partner towards a central solution. So let's do it. Senator Stevens is just beginning his efforts, but it sounds like the right direction.
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