Mandatory Bill Shock Requirements will Severely Impair Rural and Regional Carriers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Contact: Lucy Tutwiler

January 10, 2011                                                                                                         (202) 449-9866

Mandatory Bill Shock Requirements will Severely Impair Rural and Regional Carriers

Washington, DC – Today in filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), RCA (Rural Cellular Association) urged the Commission not to implement an automatic bill shock mandate, as bill shock mitigation is more appropriately addressed by each individual carrier.  A rigid, one-size-fits-all customer service and management program will impose an undue and burdensome cost for rural and regional carriers, which ultimately will be borne by the rural customer.  Instead, if the FCC wants to empower consumers, it should mandate automatic data roaming, eliminate handset exclusivity, and ensure interoperability throughout the 700 MHz spectrum band.

In a statement regarding bill shock, RCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “Rural and regional carriers should not be subjected to an automatic bill shock mandate on account of the larger carriers’ inability to provide their customers with accurate billing information.  RCA members pride themselves in excellent customer service and make every effort to ensure their customers’ billing information is clear and accurate.  In fact, over the past year, many RCA members have not received a single complaint about billing overages. Asking rural and regional carriers to unnecessarily upgrade their billing systems would cause severe economic strain and would certainly result in job loss – which our recovering economy cannot endure.

Berry continued, “I urge the Commission to look to the good example set by rural and regional carriers and encourage voluntary self-regulation, which is the most cost-efficient alternative to rigid regulatory requirements.  Furthermore, if the FCC truly wants to benefit consumers, it should mandate interoperability throughout the 700 MHz spectrum band, put an end to handset exclusivity and mandate automatic data roaming.”

About RCA

RCA is the nation’s leading association for wireless providers serving rural areas of the United States. The licensed service area of RCA’s nearly 100 members covers more than 80 percent of the nation.

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