Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

“The head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voiced doubts about differing state regulations covering mobile phones as the agency considers what to do about controversial early-cancellation fees.”

“Federal regulators may require the winner of airwaves being auctioned off by the government to provide free wireless high-speed Internet service across a large swath of the country.”The Federal Communications Commission at its June 12 meeting will likely vote on an order setting terms of the spectrum auction that could include the free Internet service provision. A similar proposal was rejected last year.

“We’re hoping there will be increased interest (in the proposal) and because this will provide wireless broadband services to more Americans it is certainly something we want to see,” said FCC spokesman Rob Kenny…

“Verizon Wireless said on Friday it is trying to forge a deal with consumer groups and regulators that would reduce the fees customers are charged when they cancel their cell phone service early.”"Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said at a media briefing on Friday the two sides had made “substantial progress” toward a compromise, although there was still no final consensus.”

The Federal Communications Commission has garnered the critical third vote needed to cap skyrocketing Universal Service Fund subsidies paid to wireless companies — a good result for consumers and the likely prelude to broad reform of the nation’s telecommunications subsidy system.In a statement Monday (April 28), Commissioner Robert McDowell joined Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioner Deborah Tate in support of the cap, creating a majority vote in favor of the action.

McDowell’s announcement follows the agency’s March 14 announcement that the federal government will collect even more this quarter to pay for Universal Service Fund programs, a move that results in a nearly 11 percent increase in the surcharge consumers pay on their monthly phone bills. The increased cost of the fund is due in large part to the growth in subsidy payments to Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (almost all of which are wireless companies). Those payments grew from $1 million in 2000 to over $1 billion in 2007, a one thousand-fold increase.

“Consumers will be happy to hear the FCC is taking control of the fund’s growth,” said Tom Tauke, Verizon executive vice president of public affairs, policy and communications. “This is a responsible first step. The next step is comprehensive reform of the universal service high-cost fund to make it more efficient and useful for consumers who need it.”

Verizon supports reforms of how the funds for the high-cost program are collected and dispersed. The company filed a “reverse auction,” or competitive bidding, proposal with the Federal-State Joint Board and the commission last year.

“This proposal meets the needs of rural consumers of high-quality services at an affordable price,” Tauke said in March 1, 2007, testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “[Verizon’s proposal] stabilizes the fund, encourages a competitive and innovative marketplace, and promotes efficiency so consumers are treated fairly when they pick up the tab for universal service support.”

Verizon also supports reform of the way USF contributions are collected by replacing today’s complicated revenue system with a methodology based on telephone numbers.

“A nationwide alert system will use cell phones or other mobile devices to send text messages to Americans when an emergency occurs, the Federal Communicions Commission will announce Wednesday, according to an FCC representative.”

AT&T Inc. completed successful bids for prime B Block spectrum in the FCC auction. Combined with the Aloha Partners transaction, which closed earlier this year, AT&T has supplemented its holding of high-quality spectrum and continues to have a leading spectrum position in the industry.”AT&T’s strong spectrum holdings position the company to further enhance the quality and reliability of existing wireless broadband and voice services, and to set the foundation for new-generation wireless broadband technologies and services.” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T’s wireless unit.

Upon final award of this spectrum, the company’s 700 MHz spectrum will cover 100 percent of the top 200 markets. Combined with the spectrum previously purchased in the AWS auction, AT&T will have quality spectrum available for new services covering 95 percent of the U.S. population. With this spectrum we can continue to deliver the latest technology and best-in-class services to our customers as the wireless industry grows and evolves.

Verizon Wireless issued the following statement today (March 20) in connection with the Federal Communication Commission’s announced results of Auction 73:”We are very pleased with our auction results. Specifically, we were successful in achieving the spectrum depth we need to continue to grow our business and data revenues, to preserve our reputation as the nation’s most reliable wireless network, and to continue to lead in data services and help us satisfy the next wave of services and consumer electronics devices.

“The bids we won include a nationwide spectrum footprint covering 298M Pops, plus 102 licenses for individual markets covering 171M Pops.

“In compliance with the FCC’s anti-collusion quiet period rules, Verizon Wireless cannot comment further until that period ends.”

“It took 38 days and 261 rounds, but the Federal Communications Commission’s 700 MHz spectrum auction came to an end this afternoon, having raised $19.592 billon for the U.S. treasury. The haul is a record for an FCC-run auction and nearly double the high mark of some pre-auction estimates.”