California's Wireless Carriers Issue Statement Regarding Conclusion of Negotiations with Consumer Groups on Proposed CPUC Regulations.

Business Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2002

Joint Report from Wireless and Wireline Carriers, Consumer Groups

Filed with CPUC 

Joined by local and long distance wireline carriers and consumer advocacy groups, California's wireless carriers today filed a joint report with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on negotiations just concluded over a proposal to impose dozens of new regulations on the wireless and wireline industries.

The following statement was issued by Susan Pedersen, executive director of the Cellular Carriers Association of California (CCAC):

"These negotiations have been worthwhile, even though many of the proposed rules were never discussed. In addition to reaching agreement on suggested language for some of the proposed rules, all the parties came away with a better understanding of each other's concerns and narrowed the scope of their disagreements, even where we could not mutually agree on language. We hope this joint report adequately focuses all parties' comments for the Public Utilities Commission.

"We now look forward to working with the Commission to make further progress on modifications to the proposed rules. Further modifications are sorely needed since the rules as proposed would trigger enormous compliance costs, which would jeopardize the low rates and improved signal quality California's wireless consumers have increasingly enjoyed as a result of our highly competitive marketplace. The Commission should change the proposed rules to avoid negative consequences for consumers.

"In fact, the intended goal of the proposed rules -- clear disclosure of key rates, terms and conditions and greater flexibility for consumers on things such as early return policies -- is being achieved through the marketplace, as wireless carriers aggressively compete to deliver the highest customer satisfaction. We believe this market-driven responsiveness to consumer feedback would be squelched by the imposition of highly intrusive and intricate state regulations that would dictate virtually every aspect of the interaction between consumers and the wireless carriers they choose.

"It is our hope that the Commission significantly revises the proposed regulations in light of the potential consequences for consumers.

"We commend Commissioner Carl Wood and the CPUC staff for encouraging the negotiation process, as well as all of the parties involved for joining us in a good faith effort to find common ground."