America Loves Wireless
By: Kimberly Kuo
Throughout 2007, wireless consumers across the U.S. remained overwhelmingly satisfied with their wireless service, and that positive trend will likely continue in 2008. Now more than 250 million American wireless consumers – almost 83 percent of the population – this past year saw an increase in providers, heightened competition for their business, lower prices, the unveiling of diverse new gadgets and applications, more options and services, more flexible plans, and a whole lot more. Simply put, 2007 was a banner year for wireless consumers.
Ironically, one of the most serious looming threats to consumers’ wireless satisfaction and freedom comes from unnecessary government intrusion on the local, state, and federal levels. If government were to have its way in some instances, these good trends for wireless and American consumers might not all remain so positive. In fact, more than 1,200 wireless-related bills were introduced in states across the country just last year.
MyWireless.org in 2007
In 2007, MyWireless.org organized hundreds of thousands of American wireless consumers across the country to defend their wireless freedom and choices. MyWireless.org engaged in numerous state campaigns across the country, focused primarily on fighting new wireless taxes and fees or lessening existing ones, and defeating state-based wireless “consumer protection” legislation that would have only added unnecessary cost and hassles for consumers. In fact, MyWireless.org helped earn more than an estimated $1 billion in much-needed relief from state and local taxes, fees, and surcharges for wireless consumers this year. More than one million wireless consumer activists and more than 140 dedicated coalition partners across the country have now joined MyWireless.org to get informed about the “state” of their wireless service, and to fight back against proposed unfair and excessive state and local wireless taxes and regulations. However, considering that 2008 is an election year and all levels of government are focusing on wireless as a source of instant revenue to balance budgets, the battle has just begun.
With now more than one million voices speaking up for wireless freedom and consumer control,
MyWireless.org continues to inform and empower consumers to impact the wireless policies affecting them, their businesses, and their families.