Telecommunications:

Charges for Itemized Cellular Telephone Bills

RCED-93-214FS: Published: Sep 21, 1993. Publicly Released: Sep 28, 1993.

Additional Materials:

Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on cellular service carriers' billing practices, focusing on: (1) the average monthly charges for detailed billing in large cellular markets; (2) the detailed billing practices of large cellular carriers; and (3) whether the cost of service determines the charge for detailed billing.

GAO found that: (1) of the 60 cellular telephone markets reviewed, 32 of the licensed cellular carriers have required some of their customers to pay extra charges for detailed billing; (2) some cellular carriers charge an average of $3.65 a month for detailed billing; (3) of the 11 largest cellular carriers, 7 have required consumers to pay extra for detailed billing; (4) cellular carriers in the lowest-cost cellular markets are twice as likely to charge extra for detailed billing than carriers in large cellular markets; (5) in the 30 largest cellular markets, the lowest monthly charge for 150 minutes of calls averages about $84; (6) in markets that charge less than $84 per month for cellular services, one or both of the licensed carriers charge extra for detailed billing; and (7) in six of the markets that charge more than $84 for 150 minutes of use, one or both of the licensed cellular carriers charge extra for detailed billing.

Jan 9, 2018

Nov 27, 2017

Oct 30, 2017

Oct 12, 2017

Sep 29, 2017

Sep 21, 2017

Sep 19, 2017

Sep 14, 2017

Sep 6, 2017

Looking for more? Browse all our products here