CTIA Pres. Steve Largent, speaking at a packed FCBA breakfast Thu...

bars states from regulating rates charged by commercial mobile radio services. Among the concerns raised by the wireless industry over proposed state actions affecting wireless service quality, including the pending Cal. consumer bill of rights, is that a patchwork of such state rules would hurt national wireless offerings. “We don’t need a patchwork of regulation around the country when it comes to wireless service,” Largent said of changes that could come in a Telecom Act rewrite. “We have basically been able to keep the states out of significant areas of our business and if we could keep them out altogether it would… be good to do that.” It would also be helpful if a reworking of the Act, talked about recently by FCC Chmn. Powell (CD March 8 p1), also were to address issues such as tower siting and spectrum policy, he said. In other areas, Largent repeatedly stressed the social responsibilities the wireless industry faces in areas such as Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The goal is “to make sure that we not only meet but exceed the social responsibilities that we have in areas like CALEA and E911 and local number portability and to ensure that we have real enforcement of our own voluntary consumer code so that our contracts are transparent, so that the maps are accurate,” Largent said. “We are going to do that because we do have a tremendous social responsibility.” CTIA unveiled a voluntary consumer code of conduct last year (CD Sept 10 p1), which outlined guidelines such as carriers offering customers a 14-day trial period. Consumer groups criticized the code, saying it lacked details in important areas. Of hearing aid compatibility (HAC) for wireless phones, Largent said: “We need to figure that out. We can’t continue in so many of these areas just to tread water. Treading water isn’t swimming.” The FCC last year adopted an order on HAC for cellphones, directing nationwide operators to offer 2 compliant handsets within 2 years and setting deadlines for phasing in more compatible handsets. Concerning the Amber Alert system to inform the public about kidnaped children, he said the wireless industry has a role to play, although not through cellular broadcasting, which he said wasn’t feasible. Largent cited the example of Arlington County, Va., which gives wireless subscribers the ability to opt in to such a program. “We can play a role there,” he said. “I am committed to ensuring that the industry steps up to the plate and acts in a responsible way… Our members want to do that.”