Wireless consumer bills of rights.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS

Nearly every adult American--nine out of 10--owns a wireless telephone, and one in seven has traded in a land line and now uses a cell phone exclusively.

At least two states (Kentucky and Louisiana) and the U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted laws guaranteeing wireless customers certain rights and protections.

The Louisiana law bans wireless telephone companies from automatically renewing a consumer's service contract. The Kentucky law requires the state's public service commission to resolve consumer complaints. And the U.S. Virgin Islands law requires certain wireless providers to comply with the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association's Consumer Code for Wireless Service. The wireless carriers that have agreed to the code are required to disclose rates and terms of service to consumers; make accessible maps showing where service is available; and provide contract terms and a variety of other consumer rights and protections.

Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania introduced wireless consumer bills in 2008. One Illinois bill would require wireless carriers to allow consumers to opt out of all text message services. Another Illinois bill would allow only authorized charges to be billed to consumers...