FCC to present 'bill shock' rules

cokewithvanilla

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20019526-266.html?tag=rtcol;inTheNewsNow

I'm not really one who likes any sort of legislation, but this seems pretty fair.

I do not see how one can incur $30k of charges in one month on a phone bill. Maybe someone with better information can explain to me why overseas charges are so expensive. I do not see why someone, in this day and age, should not be able to travel the world without incurring more costs than usual (or, perhaps, be charged a slight premium every month for a travel plan).

How much does it cost the carrier to handle overseas traffic vs local? It seems this lady was credited 25k on her bill.... that tells me that something is up. In any event, I think it is fair practice to have cell phone companies warn you in advance before you accidentally run up your bill.

What do you think?

Norm Apter

I suppose its not particularly relevant, but I've been using Skype for all international calls (my wife is from Taiwan) since 2005. Free to other Skype users online, .02 per minute to landline phones, and .06 per minute to cell phones.

To rack up a $30k bill to a landline phone on Skype, you would have to be on the line continuously for about 3 years (1041 days). She should look into Skype

chosenalready

Maybe the contract phones should have a monthly charge meter app that the user could view that would inform them of excess charges. It could also be programmed (by the user) to halt various activities if a certain cost level is achieved.

txcoastal1

It wasn't much but I incurred $20 additional fees when I was in Alaska last year for a week. I asked sprint but it was do to being in the middle of nowhere passed Denali on the way to Prudoe Bay...was someone else that billed them