FCC Opens Investigation Into Verizon


Apparently customers are not the only ones upset by Verizon’s new early termination fee (ETF) policy because the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has now opened an investigation. Verizon recently doubled the fee for customers with premium devices, from $175 to $350, who would like to get out of their contract with Big Red. Verizon argues that consumers can avoid the ETF by paying the full retail cost for their devices.

The FCC is also investigating $1.99 data charges that are present on customer’s bills. The FCC asked “whether consumers are being charged for minimal, inadvertant use of Verizon’s Mobile Web service, and what notice is being provided to those consumers.” Verizon has until December 17, 2009 to respond to the FCC.

Source: Phone Scoop