CA Telecom Bill of Rights

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed a Telecommunications Consumer Bill of Rights, Government Technology reported Dec. 27. The proposal includes a special Telecommunications Consumer Fraud Unit at the PUC, which would be the country's first; an extensive consumer education campaign in multiple languages; and a statement of rights and freedom of choice principles regardless of the company or type of service a consumer chooses.

CPUC Commissioner Susan P. Kennedy stated:

With traditional regulation it takes years to bring a case against a company that is ripping off consumers--that won't work in today's fast-paced telecom world. This proposal gives the PUC the tools to protect consumers against fraud in real-time, and provides consumers with the tools they need to protect themselves.