WASHINGTON-Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) is set to ask the General Accounting Office to investigate mobile-phone service problems and consumer complaints across the country, a probe that would be the most comprehensive of its kind in an industry that now numbers 115 million subscribers.
Serena Torrey, a spokeswoman for Weiner, said a formal request will be submitted to GAO shortly. Weiner and GAO-the investigative arm of Congress-are ironing out the details of what the GAO probe of the mobile-phone industry will entail.
“It’s something that’s long overdue and will be welcomed by consumers,” said Carl Hilliard, president of the Wireless Consumers Alliance.
In April, Weiner introduced legislation that would require the Federal Communications Commission to monitor complaints about cell-phone service such as dead spots, busy signals, dropped calls and billing problems. Weiner dropped a provision from last year’s bill that would have mandated minimum service quality standards for mobile-phone carriers. Despite that, the measure is unlikely to get a hearing in the House Commerce Committee. The panel is chaired by Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.), a champion of wireless and a regular recipient of campaign contributions from the high-tech sector.
The cosponsors of the new Weiner bill are Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Pete Stark (D-Ohio), William Pascrell (D-N.J.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), John La Falce (D-N.Y.) and Baron Hill (D-Ind.).
Today, no single federal, state or local agency is required by law to compile mobile-phone complaints from consumers. Some consumers have complained to state attorneys general. Others have filed lawsuits against wireless carriers. However, arbitration clauses-common in cell-phone service contracts-restrict the ability of consumers to seek legal relief for their grievances.
“We hope the GAO report looks at all issues that affect wireless service, including lack of spectrum and antenna siting-both areas where Congress can have a direct effect on improving wireless services,” said Travis Larson of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, which opposes the bill.
