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 NEWS  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  TTY:  1-  888-  835-  5322 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACT:  September  9,  2003  Jennifer  A.  Manner  202-  418-  2530 
 Statement  of  Commissioner  Kathleen  Q.  Abernathy  In  Response  to  CTIA  Consumer  Code  for  Wireless  Service 
 I  would  like  to  applaud  CTIA  and  the  wireless  industry  for  creating  a  Consumer  Code  for  Wireless  Service.  The  competitive  nature  of  the  wireless  industry  has  prompted  this  action  as  a 
 means  of  responding  to  consumer  demands  for  increased  information  regarding  rates  and  terms  of  service.  For  example,  the  new  Code  will  allow  customers  to  walk  away  from  a  service 
 provider  for  any  reason  during  the  first  fourteen  days  of  service.  In  addition,  coverage  maps  will  be  provided  and  pricing  information,  including  rates  and  terms  of  service,  will  be  publicly 
 disclosed.  This  code  exists  because  competition  is  driving  wireless  carriers  to  better  serve  consumers  and  increase  customer  loyalties. 


 At  the  end  of  the  day,  the  industry’s  willingness  to  adopt  a  voluntary  code  of  conduct  avoids  the  need  for  costly  regulatory  oversight  while  delivering  greater  value  to  wireless  customers.  I 
 believe  the  Code  will  ensure  that  consumers  will  understand  wireless  service  and  rate  plan  options  thus  allowing  more  informed  choices  when  purchasing  wireless  services.  This  is  a  win-win 
 for  consumers. 
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