Regulators push for public database of complaints against phone companies

By Josh Peterson | Watchdog.org

State public utilities regulators are calling for an easy way for consumers to compare complaints against the nation’s phone companies.

Currently, consumers can file complaints about their telecommunications service with the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, but those complaints aren’t publicly available in an online format for consumers.

On Wednesday, Chris Nelson, chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Committee on Telecommunications, said the organization supported the creation of “an online, searchable database of consumer complaints against telecommunications firms.”

“Such a database will help consumers make informed decisions when choosing between competing service providers,”Nelson said.

NARUC is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization representing the nation’s public utilities commissions before the federal government.

Nelson, a Republican, is also vice chairman of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

His remarks about the database were included as part of NARUC’s response in support of an FCC reform bill passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Contact Josh Peterson at jpeterson@watchdog.org. Follow Josh on Twitter at @jdpeterson

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