regulators

Consumer groups support ending cell phone surcharges

Two top consumer groups are backing legislation aimed at giving consumers more freedom over their cell phone contracts. The Consumers Union and the Consumer Federation of America announced their support yesterday for the Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007 (aka the Cell Phone Bill of Rights), which is sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).

Though the bill centers on limiting early termination fees for cell phone contracts, the consumer groups are focusing on another provision that would prohibit any customer fees not expressly authorized by federal, state, or local governments. "Most wireless … Read more

Senators take on cell phone contract fees

Early terminations have long annoyed cell phone subscribers, but now they're beginning to annoy Congress as well. On Friday, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced a bill that would give subscribers greater freedom to leave cell phone carrier contracts before the agreements expire.

The Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007 would allow subscribers to cancel a contract for any reason up to 30 days after a new agreement is signed or an existing contract is extended. Klobuchar said the bill is all about fairness. "Early termination fees are a family budget buster," … Read more

Supreme Court to weigh online tobacco sales rift

The legality of a Maine state law designed to prevent minors from buying cigarettes online is slated to get another look from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Right now, the 2003 law is on ice, after successful legal challenges from trade associations representing air and motor carriers in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. But the high court agreed on Monday to accept a petition from Maine State Attorney General G. Steven Rowe to review the earlier decisions.

Federal district and appeals courts in recent years have largely agreed that the state law conflicts with a federal law known as the … Read more

Big utility bills? Penguins to the rescue

For today's lesson, boys and girls, we'll learn how to make energy consumption fun! Unlike boring grown-up devices like the "Intelliworks," which are about as interesting as a thermostat, Matsushita Electric's National brand has created an anime-driven home regulator that the whole family can enjoy, according to Akihabara News, at least in Japan.

And how can anyone resist a system that uses penguins to help improve household efficiency? (Certainly fellow Craver Caroline McCarthy couldn't.) Let the little guys loose on this animated interface and let the savings begin.