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Consumers experience a multitude of problems with cell phone service, yet Minnesota law does not do enough to protect them.

That’s why AARP is urging legislators to pass the Minnesota Wireless Protection Act (SF 833 and HF 635)—legislation to ensure that billing practices are fair, and requires providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers. 

AARP also wants Minnesota law to protect consumers want to switch between service providers by prohibiting excessive contract termination fees. 

Hundreds of stories about bad cell phone service, unfair contracts and undisclosed fees are pouring into AARP and will be shared with lawmakers to urge improvements for consumers. 

“We believe this legislation will help consumers begin to deal with a myriad of problems that often arise with their cell phones,” said AARP State President Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey, III. “Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our cell phones. We need it for safety, security and convenience. But as consumers, we need better information and service.”

Many older consumers use cell phones primarily for safety and security reasons. They enter into contracts upon purchasing a phone, with the understanding that their phones will work in their homes, and they will work when needed for emergencies.  

However, many consumers find that service falls below these simple expectations and many realize they are in contracts that they cannot leave without paying substantial fees. According to a recent AARP Public Policy Institute report, more complaints have been reported to the Federal Communications Commission about cell phones than any other business in the United States in recent years. AARP has received many calls and emails from members who have shared their experiences with cell phones. 

• A caller from Askov cannot get reception in her home and has to go to the parking lot to call. In the process of getting better reception, she had to go from $20 per month to $40 per month for a phone she primarily wants for emergencies.

• Mary from West St. Paul emailed us to share that she discovered after purchasing her phone that she could not place or receive calls in her home. Her provider refused to let her out of her contract without paying a substantial cancellation fee.

• A caller, Tom, from Minneapolis, was driving a friend home from work just one mile north of the city, when the friend began having a major allergic reaction. The caller called 9-1-1 while driving to a nearby hospital. It took four times to get through. When reporting the problem later to the provider, he was told he must have been in an out-of-service area and there was nothing they could do about it. Luckily, his co-worker made it to the hospital and was just fine.

Share your story by sending an email to aarpmn@aarp.org.