FCC Chief Ready To Regulate Cell Phone Cancellation Fees

WASHINGTON (AP) – The head of the Federal Communications Commission says he is open to the idea of government regulating fees charged to cell phone users who cancel their wireless contracts early.

FCC chief Kevin Martin would not say Friday whether he endorses an industry plan to help consumers avoid “early termination fees” as proposed earlier this week and described in detail by The Associated Press. But Martin said he supports creation of what he described as a “national framework” to regulate such fees.

Martin said industry and consumer groups were negotiating to reach an agreement to ease the fees, which have infuriated consumers. But Martin said a consensus evades negotiators.

Citizens will be able to speak their minds on the subject during a public hearing at the commission’s next meeting, scheduled for June 12.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)