Contracts Lock Phone Users in Cell Block

If you are a cell phone user, I hope you get as incensed as I was when you read this:

"The ETF thus provides a measure of predictability to the revenue stream reasonably expected by wireless carriers, enabling carriers to offer attractive initial discounts and monthly pricing to customers willing to make a minimum service commitment and also ensuring carriers some measure of compensation for lost revenue and otherwise unrecoverable upfront costs caused by early terminations."

There you have it, folks.

If you are not receiving satisfactory service from your cell phone carrier and want to switch, the company feels entitled to be paid nonetheless.

I'm sorry. I just don't buy the industry's explanation. Early-termination fees do stop dissatisfied customers from switching to a competitor, which has been made much easier since cell users can keep their phone numbers when they sign up with another company.

U.S. PIRG as well as 15 members of Congress are urging the FCC to reject the cell phone industry's petition and let state courts determine whether these early-termination fees are reasonable. You should, too.

In a society that promotes free enterprise, cell phone users unhappy with their service ought to be able to freely kick their mobile service company to the curb without being excessively penalized.

· On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp://www.npr.org.

· By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

· By e-mail:singletarym@washpost.com.

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