New York would offer the strongest cell phone consumer protections in the nation, under proposed legislation getting the strong endorsement of a number of consumer groups.
The fight for the Cell Phone Consumer Protection Act is heating up as several groups publicly urged legislators not to bend to industry opposition and pass the legislation this year.
"The cell phone industry has now out-ranked used car dealers as the most complained about industry in the nation -- we think consumers deserve and need better protections," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director.
"With older New Yorkers mostly getting cell phones for use in an emergency, AARP strongly believes this legislation is a step in the right direction."
The bill is a model for possible national legislation, requiring disclosure of all hidden fees and allowing people to cancel their contracts after they receive their first bill without penalty, consumer advocates say.
The cell phone industry is heavily opposed to the legislation.
The measure would require cell
phone companies to:
• disclose fees, surcharges and taxes to consumers;
• allow consumers to cancel their contracts fifteen days after
receiving the first bill without penalty;
• require cell phone
companies to provide more detailed coverage maps of where the phones
will work; and
• disclose to customers the cell phone's E-911 capabilities.
AARP members from across the state were joined by representatives from the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Public Utility Law Project (PULP), and representatives advocating for safer college campuses for women. Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, chair of the Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee, and Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, sponsor of the Assembly legislation, lent a powerful voice to the need for stronger consumer protections for New Yorkers using cell phones.
"As chair of the Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee I recognize that many consumers have concerns with their wireless service," said New York Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer.
"The committee has been working diligently this session with consumer advocates, as well as the wireless industry, to better understand the issues at hand and to find possible legislative solutions to these concerns brought forth by consumers," Pheffer said.
"The need for consumer protection in this unregulated industry is critical. Cell phone users should know their rights as a consumer will be enforced under this legislation," said Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, sponsor of the Cell Phone Consumer Protection Act.
"Hidden fees and bad coverage have brought consumers to a boiling point, especially after they are roped into long service contracts," added Aronstein. "We can't understand why the cell phone industry stands in the way of a law that will help its customers." The Better Business Bureau reported that more complaints were made about cell phones than any other business in 2004 and 2005. According to the New York State Consumer Protection Board, cell phones are the second most complain