FCC Proposes Mandatory Customer Notifications to Combat "Bill Shock"

Citing the challenges that many consumers face in monitoring wireless usage and the increasing trend of unexpected increases in monthly mobile bills - or "bill shock" - the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") has unanimously approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRM") that would require all wireless service providers to provide customers with alerts both before and when they reach overage limits, or are about to incur international or other roaming charges. Depending upon the record developed from commenting parties, possible exemptions from these requirements may be granted by the FCC to prepaid carriers as well as smaller, regional or rural carriers. Interested parties should file initial comments by December 27, 2010; reply comments are due January 25, 2011.