*Pages 1--1 from  Microsoft Word - 51319*
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS 
 Re:  Reexamination  of  Roaming  Obligations  of  Commercial  Mobile  Radio  Service  Providers;  WT  Docket  No.  05-  265 


 Consumers  are  using  wireless  phones  more  than  ever.  As  we  travel  around  town  or  around  the  country,  we  increasingly  rely  on  wireless  phones  to  stay  connected  with  family, 
 friends  and  colleagues.  Sometimes  we  are  assessed  roaming  charges  to  do  so.  Today  we  begin  to  explore  the  impact  roaming  charges  have  on  the  prices  and  services  that  we  consumers  get— 
 and  whether  more  rules  are  needed  for  roaming.  We  have  expressly  asked  questions  about  the  effects  of  roaming  on  consumers  and  the  prices  we  pay;  the  practices  that  carriers  use  to  inform 
 us  when  we  are  roaming;  the  particular  roaming  experiences  of  rural  consumers  and  carriers;  and  the  treatment  of  data  services  as  well  as  voice  in  the  roaming  context.  I  am  grateful  to  my 
 colleagues  for  their  work  in  improving  this  item,  and  look  forward  to  a  full  record  on  these  issues.  As  we  examine  our  regulatory  approach  to  roaming,  we  should  stay  focused  on  the 
 interests  of  consumers,  especially  those  living  in  rural  America. 
1