Signage is seen on the headquarters of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Kelly | Reuters
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday voted to move a measure banning cable and satellite corporations from charging early termination fees.
“Consumers are uninterested in these junk fees,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated earlier than casting the deciding vote at an open fee assembly.
“They now have extra decisions when it comes to video content material however these friction-filled techniques to preserve us subscribing to our present suppliers are aggravating and unfair,” Rosenworcel added. “So, immediately we kick out a rulemaking to put an finish to these practices.”
The company first announced the proposal in late November to power cable and direct broadcast satellite suppliers to drop fees for canceling services earlier than the tip of a contract interval.
The rule may also require service suppliers to concern a prorated credit score or rebate to clients for days remaining within the billing cycle after cancellation.
Two out of 4 commissioners voted in opposition to the measure.
The ban on early termination fees is a part of the Biden administration’s initiative in opposition to extreme surcharges, or “junk” fees, that are estimated to price customers tens of billions of dollars, in accordance to the White House.
Cable corporations could possibly be raking in an estimated $28 billion a year on fees, in accordance to a 2019 transient by Consumer Reports.
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