Entries tagged with “fcc” from WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

The FCC has issued a Notice of Inquiry asking for more information about communications services.

The Commission is looking for comments from communications service providers, academic researchers, consumer groups and third-party analysts on how best to ensure consumers have the information they need to make informed decisions in the communications marketplace.

Now is good time for your group to voice your ideas and/or complaints to the FCC.

CTIA, The Wireless Association and its member companies are urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a five-year hiatus on new discriminatory state and local wireless taxes. To achieve this goal, Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Chris Cannon (R-UT) introduced the “Cell Tax Fairness Act” today in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The wireless sector of the technology industry continues to be an important driver for growth in our nation’s economy. Americans don’t just talk on their wireless phones anymore; they access the Internet, get information, pay bills and use wireless to be more productive at work and other every day activities, ” said Lowell McAdam, CTIA-The Wireless Association® Chairman and Verizon Wireless President and CEO. “With about 15 percent of each customer’s monthly bill already going to taxes and fees, increasing discriminatory and unfair taxes on wireless customers presents a clear and present danger to future growth. Policymakers should roll back taxes on wireless customers.”

According to analysis from a new study that examines trends of taxation on wireless service in the U.S., consumers continue to face a substantial, unfair tax burden, paying over twice the 7.1% rate imposed on other competitive goods and services subject to sales tax. Between 2003 and 2007, taxes and fees on wireless service increased four times faster than taxes on other goods and services.

Nearly four years ago, Verizon Wireless said that a wireless directory would be a “dumb idea.” Now, as another company leaks its plans to sell the cell phone numbers of private citizens, Verizon Wireless today called on that company to halt the mining and sale of these numbers.

“Stop it. This is a violation of Americans’ privacy. People expect their cell phone numbers to remain private,” said Steve Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless. He added that Verizon Wireless intends to take whatever steps might be necessary, including litigation, to protect its customers’ numbers and privacy.

According to its website, Seattle-based Intelius says that it will charge consumers a fee to find a number that is “unlisted or unpublished” and will identify a consumer’s wireless service provider. This information is mined from the Internet, personal Web pages and other sources, and has not been authorized by individuals to be sold for this purpose.

“Trolling the Internet, using data mining techniques and simply buying lists to create a directory are actions that clearly violate a consumer’s right to privacy,” Zipperstein continued. “Verizon Wireless has long refused to release our customers’ numbers and we call on legislators and policy makers to ensure that what a consumer wants to be private stays that way.”

Information Week reported that Apple has filed a patent that would enable a wireless device (such as an iPod or iPhone) to place a wireless order at a cafe or quick serve restaurant without waiting in line.

The article notes that Apple already has a deal with Starbucks (for selling music or free Wi-Fi) and there is an added value to restaurants because each order gets a tracking number and the stores will be able to track customer orders and behavior.

Comment from Wireless and Mobile News:
The patent doesn’t state if when Apple creates another device for which Macaholics stand in line if they will be able to order the next iGadget with an other iGadget…