News
Issue #2002 - 36 (September 2002)
(Updated Sep. 25, 2002)

TECHNOLOGY

FCC's Customer Proprietary Network Information Rules Not Clear Enough

Rules announced by the Federal Communications Commission in July, 2002 for handling Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) are not specific enough, especially regarding location-based wireless services, industry observers said. CPNI includes information on individuals' phone use including when, where and to whom they call, and to what services they subscribe. How phone companies are required, under the FCC rules, to handle CPNI with joint venture partners, affiliated entities or third-party agents differs, but critics say the definitions of the three categories are unclear. Also, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association and privacy groups, the FCC rules don't address location-based services. Anticipating that marketers will be interested in sending advertising messages based on a cell phone user's location, and that consumers could be angered by receiving the unsolicited messages, wireless companies and privacy advocates are seeking guidelines for providing location-based information. (Source: Billing World)

For more information: www.fcc.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: CPNI raises several privacy issues pitted against the commercial interests of vendors to send advertising messages to cellular phone users. We do not think that FCC or for that matter any single public organization overseeing wireless communication policies can unilaterally decide on this important issue. Only after public debate and recognizing legitimate interests of all the constituents can you come up with rules and guidelines governing distribution of location information of individuals to private organizations. Individuals must have the option of accepting or blocking any wireless advertisement. Go to our section on wireless advertising.

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