Tom Wheeler Should Not Be the Next FCC Chairman: Do You Like Your Wireless Bills?

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on Tom Wheeler: “A lobbyist is a lobbyist.”

“Tom Wheeler, Former Lobbyist and Obama Loyalist…” April 16, 2013 | TIME Magazine

The FCC oversees and makes regulations for most communications in America today, including our wireline, wireless, broadband, Internet, cable, and satellite services, not to mention the media you see.

Thomas E. Wheeler is the heir apparent to the departing FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Do You Like Your Wireless Charges?

From 1992 through 2004 — 12 years — Tom Wheeler was president and CEO of the Cellular Telecom and Internet Association — commonly known as “CTIA, the Wireless Association.”

This brings up the issue — what did he do for your wireless services today that started during these 14 years and what will he do if he becomes the new FCC chairman?

The CTIA works for its clients, AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless and the other wireless companies; their position was Wheeler’s position during his 14-year tenure. The wireless companies fought to keep phone bills unreadable, add dubious made-up charges on your bills, and even lobbied to not be held accountable if their customer representative misleads you, among other items. From excessive early termination fees to not being able to take the companies to court if they harm you, Tom Wheeler’s CTIA is on record with filings at the FCC to protect the interests of the wireless companies — not your interests.

If Wheeler is nominated to be FCC chairman he would have to take on his previous clients, but the likelihood of this is that you have a better chance of winning the lottery — twice.

Today, there are lots of problems with wireless services. The FCC claims that one in six have been hit with “Phone Bill Shock.”

Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *