FCC to look into "bill shock"

The Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affair Bureau unveiled an initiative today designed to counter what it terms “bill shock,” or when consumers are surprised by unexpected overage charges on their monthly wireless bill.
The bureau said it will seek input on ways to alert consumers about “potential high charges before they add up,” citing a solution required in Europe by the European Union.
A number of wireless companies currently provide text message alerts to consumers that are getting close to their allotment of calling minutes, though most are geared toward prepaid services.
“We are hearing from consumers about unpleasant surprises on their bills,” said Joel Gurin, chief of the bureau. “We’ve gotten hundreds of complaints about bill shock. But this is an avoidable problem. Avoiding bill shock is good for consumers and ultimately good business for wireless carriers as well.”
Comments on the notice are due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register, with reply comments due 60 days after publication.