The gradual addition of extra fees to your cellphone bill can be a bit like gaining weight -- you don't keep close enough track of your habits, until one day you open your bill (or step on the scale), see a discouragingly high number, and experience bill shock.
While the government may not be able to prevent the expansion of our waistlines, it's stepping in to help consumers avoid what the Federal Communications Commission describes as a sudden and unexpected increase in monthly bills that is not caused by a change in service plans.
Thanks to an agreement reached on Monday, within a year, wireless providers will begin providing consumers advanced warning that they are nearing their usage limits and will soon begin incurring extra fees. According to The New York Times, Companies have the option to deliver alerts by text or voice, but they must be free and automatic. Consumers can opt out of the service if they choose. At least two of the four types of alerts must be started by carriers within 12 months, and all alerts must begin within 18 months.
The companies also agreed to publicize tools for consumers to monitor their own usage. The F.C.C. has teamed with the nonprofit Consumers Union to track companies' compliance, the newspaper continued.
See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/nHqaSG
While the government may not be able to prevent the expansion of our waistlines, it's stepping in to help consumers avoid what the Federal Communications Commission describes as a sudden and unexpected increase in monthly bills that is not caused by a change in service plans.
Thanks to an agreement reached on Monday, within a year, wireless providers will begin providing consumers advanced warning that they are nearing their usage limits and will soon begin incurring extra fees. According to The New York Times, Companies have the option to deliver alerts by text or voice, but they must be free and automatic. Consumers can opt out of the service if they choose. At least two of the four types of alerts must be started by carriers within 12 months, and all alerts must begin within 18 months.
The companies also agreed to publicize tools for consumers to monitor their own usage. The F.C.C. has teamed with the nonprofit Consumers Union to track companies' compliance, the newspaper continued.
See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/nHqaSG
