Consumers Union....Let's Tackle Taxes and Towers.

A few days ago, the folks at Consumers Union began circulating an email to their members and supporters asking them to share negative experiences about their wireless service. Now Consumers Union is free to ask their membership whatever they like - and I’m under no illusions about convincing them to ask their membership about positive wireless experiences – but I think it's important to accurately convey how the industry continues to respond to consumer demands and the value consumers are receiving from wireless. I also believe there's a real opportunity for Consumers Union and CTIA – The Wireless Association® to work together in addressing a handful of issues that all wireless consumers are concerned about.  So with all of that in mind, I sent a letter  to Jim Guest, Consumers Union’s president, sharing with him what I believe is a great consumer story, and asking him to join us in tackling two wireless issues that directly impact wireless consumers everywhere: taxes and tower siting.     

The average tax and fee burden on wireless consumers across America (15% of the average monthly bill) is so high and so regressive that it directly affects how some Americans use their service; and in the worst case it acts as a barrier to low income citizens who want to access wireless technology but can’t. This is especially important as wireless broadband services become more and more available to American consumers. Second is the issue of tower siting and how carriers often face stringent limitations on where they can place the towers and antennas that make wireless service possible. The inability of carriers to situate their infrastructure in some cities and towns has a direct impact on the quality of wireless service.  I truly believe that a joining of forces on these issues can help make a real difference for wireless consumers across the country and I hope Consumers Union will consider partnering with us to address them.