Attorneys General Oppose Preemption Provisions Pertaining to Wireless and VOIP Service in Telecommunications Bill

Last week, 41 state attorneys general signed a letter to Congress opposing provisions in H.R. 5252 the "Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunity Reform Act," that the group says would "preempt state law and enforcement as they pertain to wireless carriers and voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service providers."

The letter stresses the large number of consumer complaints about wireless telephone service and that state Attorney General offices are best equipped to continue to address these complaints. The letter also highlights the 2004 Attorney General multistate settlement with three wireless carriers that insures consumers have protections relating to service agreements and coverage areas. The letter also points out that the FCC does not have the resources to address all consumer complaints about wireless and VOIP.

"The marketplace has failed to protect consumers," says the letter, which goes on to say that a voluntary code of conduct is unenforceable and inadequate.