Bloomberg | May 23, 2020 06:47:10The Federal Communications Commission is expected to approve a wireless carrier’s plan to offer universal phone plans across the country as part of a broader plan to modernize the way Americans use mobile devices.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and other industry groups have urged the FCC to allow wireless carriers to offer plans that are identical across different carriers.
The plans, which will be offered in different markets, could be available across multiple carriers.
The FCC would have to approve the plans and other changes before the networks could roll out.
The FCC, the nation’s top telecommunications regulator, has been under pressure from consumer groups and consumers to open the markets to more competition.
The plans are a compromise between a number of companies, including Verizon, which would be able to offer cheaper wireless plans and a number that are considered less reliable.
The U.K. company Virgin Media is also in talks to offer the plans, though a deal has not been struck.
The carriers’ proposed universal phone plan, which is expected later this month, would allow users to buy unlimited data plans for $100 a month for two years.
It would also let users buy a phone that has up to 16GB of memory.
The plan would require a $1,000 monthly fee.
The carriers have not yet released prices or pricing plans for their plans.
The plan is a concession to industry pressure that the carriers must offer customers the same plan regardless of their carrier.
That has caused concern among consumers, who fear they would be priced out of the market.
