Home » Advocacy » Wireless Wave Summer 2007 - Loud & Clear Pg. 2

“This new polling data shows wireless consumers across the nation are extremely
happy with their wireless services and choices and don't want their state or the federal government meddling in a marketplace that works for them,” said Kimberly Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.org®. Politicians, especially at the state level, often claim that consumers are demanding more 'protections' for their wireless service. But the numbers show otherwise. Even when politicians spin 'new regulations' as a ‘wireless consumer bill of rights,’ consumers respond strongly against more laws and regulations on their wireless service."

The Internet
Wireless access to mobile Internet content is vital in today’s world. “Wireless is fast becoming Americans’ service of choice for staying connected, for email and accessing the Internet, but also for music, gaming, video and more,” Kuo said. Every day people depend on the convenience, mobility, security, value, and freedom wireless gives them,” added Kuo.

But how should this service be regulated? Very loosely, if at all, consumers say.

Some 69 percent of wireless phone users and 71 percent of wireless Internet users said that consumers who use a small amount of wireless data services should pay less than consumers who use much more.

Likewise, 71 percent of wireless phone users and 76 percent of wireless Internet users said that adding new government regulations is not worth higher costs and a lower quality of service, because competition among wireless companies will ensure that wireless consumers can access all the websites and Internet content they desire.

And taxes? Consumers feel they already pay enough: 71 percent support continuing laws that prohibit federal, state or local governments from taxing Internet access or Internet commerce. The same percentage of people said they would be unwilling to support any increase in their monthly Emergency 9-1-1 (E-911) fee, which is supposed to – but doesn’t always – exclusively fund emergency response systems for people who dial 9-1-1 from their cell phones.

“American consumers realize they're getting hit with an unfair burden of taxes on their wireless services and overwhelmingly want to prevent more taxes and regulations on wireless,” Kuo said. “They think they pay enough – or too much – already, and they strongly support policies that would prohibit more state and local taxes. Not to mention they oppose additional ‘red tape’ from the government or taxes on wireless Internet access.”

How the Surveys Were Completed

McLaughlin & Associates of New York, a respected national polling firm, conducted two surveys in March of 2007 for MyWireless.org®.

The first, conducted March 6 - 8, reached 1,000 adult wireless phone users who are likely voters. This survey gauged consumer satisfaction and attitudes about additional government taxation and regulation.

The second, conducted March 24-25, reached 1,000 likely voters, most of whom use wireless communications. This survey focused on Internet regulation, or so-called “net neutrality” issues.

Both surveys have a margin of error of 3.1 percent. The interviews were conducted by professional interviewers. The respondents were selected randomly.