On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission unveiled a proposed regulation that would outlaw early termination fees for contracts involving cable and satellite services.
Early cancellation costs would be eliminated by cable operators as well as direct broadcast satellite, or DBS, providers under the proposed rule. Based on an FCC announcement, it would also mandate that cable and DBS providers give their clients a prorated credit or refund for the days left in a monthly cycle following termination.
In a statement, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated, “No one prefers to spend waste fees for something they aren’t interested in or can’t use.” “When businesses charge consumers early termination fees, it restricts their ability to select the service they want.”