I have written before one of the worst complaints consumers have against mobile companies is about "early termination fees"
So, I see mobile companies may have finally come around. Verizon Wireless is supposed to have sent the FCC a proposal to waive such fees within a few weeks of signing up and also to prorate the termination fees over 2 years. So if you want to terminate after a year you would only pay half the fee. Fair enough. A few years late but welcome.
But then I see it did not come out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently there are a number of lawsuits against them from angry consumers. The quid pro quo they want is to be shielded from these lawsuits.
I can see their concern. If they settle on the existing lawsuits it could open up a whole new torrent of claims.
But you notice a pattern here of the telcos running to FCC and Congress for immunity on a number of matters?
New York Times perpsective
So, I see mobile companies may have finally come around. Verizon Wireless is supposed to have sent the FCC a proposal to waive such fees within a few weeks of signing up and also to prorate the termination fees over 2 years. So if you want to terminate after a year you would only pay half the fee. Fair enough. A few years late but welcome.
But then I see it did not come out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently there are a number of lawsuits against them from angry consumers. The quid pro quo they want is to be shielded from these lawsuits.
I can see their concern. If they settle on the existing lawsuits it could open up a whole new torrent of claims.
But you notice a pattern here of the telcos running to FCC and Congress for immunity on a number of matters?
New York Times perpsective