Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

June 21, 2008

The FCC is largely expected to rule in favor of cable companies that charged Verizon Wireless violated privacy laws when it tried to stop customers from switching phone providers.

Verizon also countered the claims, charging that consumers should be able to switch cable services as easily as they can change phone companies.

Meanwhile, rival companies can contact phone companies to cancel service on behalf of a customer. However, cable companies require that consumers cancel their service directly.

Filed last February by Comcast, the complaint charged that Verizon improperly used customer information when it directed marketing efforts at customers after learning that they were switching phone service providers.

In its defense, Verizon said it was trying to provide customers with more options.

In March, the FCC’s enforcement bureau recommended the agency dismiss the complaint and explore whether customer retention efforts are pro or anti-competitive.

However, now the FCC is expected to side with the cable companies, despite Chairman Kevin Martin’s numerous objections.

The FCC is expected to vote on the issue as early as Monday.

Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

    This article was featured on Business 5.0.

Source: The FCC.