CTIA Offers to Unlock Devices; Will FCC Accept the Proposal?
As widely reported, CTIA responded positively in most respects to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s November 14 letter requesting CTIA revise its Code of Conduct to incorporate five principles for unlocking wireless handsets, including the 3rd principle that calls for the wireless carriers to “affirmatively notify customers when their devices are eligible for unlocking and/or automatically unlock devices when eligible, without an additional fee.”
Continue Reading FCC Accepts CTIA’s Offer to Unlock Wireless
Should You Arbitrate Under the Wireless Industry Arbitration Rules?
The American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), at the request of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) established a special arbitration program for the wireless industry and its customers. The program has its own set of Rules and its own Panel of arbitrators. This program is designed to address any dispute relating to the provision of cellular and broadband PCS services although any arbitration agreement can elect to employ the rules. Any AAA arbitration arising within the wireless industry is handled under this program by default, unless other rules are stipulated by contract.
The Wireless Industry Arbitration rules are essentially the same as those for ordinary commercial disputes. There are three tracks. The Regular Track is for cases involving claims between $75,000 and $500,000 dollars. Smaller claims are handled on using the Expedited Procedure and larger claims are handled on the Large/Complex Case Track.
In the Expedited Procedure, the AAA appoints a single arbitrator. There is a presumption that the matter will be “tried” on the papers and there is a 45-day “time standard” for case completion. In the Regular Track, there is presumptively one arbitrator and any discovery is at the discretion of the arbitrator. Cases on the Large/Complex Track, are subject to mandatory pre-arbitration mediation and/or early neutral evaluation according to AAA. Also, there is a presumption that there will be three arbitrators and the presumption that there will be discovery. Finally, the parties can agree to an appellate type review of the initial award. The Large/Complex case rules can be applied to claims that are smaller than $500,000 or that have no undetermined or nonmonetary claims at the request of any party.
As part of the program, AAA maintains a special panel of arbitrators known as the Telecommunications Panel. The Telecommunications Panel includes many individuals who are engaged directly in the telecommunications industry. According to AAA, attorney members of the Panel typically devote at least half of their practice to telecommunications matters.
Of course, any of the Rules can be altered by contract between the parties.Continue Reading Should You Arbitrate Under the Wireless Industry Arbitration Rules?