America’s Cell Phone Users Oppose Higher Taxes and Adding Regulations
New consumer survey data released today by MyWireless.org shows that America’s cell phone consumers remain highly satisfied with their wireless service, are opposed to higher federal, state and local taxes, and think proposals to add new regulations on their wireless service would raise prices and slow innovation.
Of the 1,000 cell phone users polled nationwide, the top findings include:
- More than 89% of American wireless consumers – that’s 9 out of 10 consumers – are satisfied with their cell phone service.
- Combined, 90% think that the tax rate on their monthly wireless phone bill should be ‘lower,’ or ‘the same,’ as the tax rate they pay on general goods and services, which is approximately 6%. Unfortunately, the actual average tax rate is currently 15%.
- 85% don’t want higher wireless taxes or fees, believing they already pay ‘too much,’ or the ‘right amount,’ in taxes and fees for their wireless phone service.
- 85% support having a 3-year freeze on new wireless taxes, which would prohibit states and localities from adding unfair new taxes on wireless service.
- An overwhelming 82% agree that “competition among wireless providers gives consumers enough choices so they can pick the wireless device, plan, options and content that best fits their needs.”
- 75% believe new government regulations would make cell phone service more expensive.
- 74% believe adding new government regulations on wireless service would either make their cell phone service worse or make no difference at all.
Kimberly Kuo, Executive Director of MyWireless.org, said, “This data overwhelmingly shows consumers are extremely happy with their wireless services and choices, and they don’t want the state or federal government meddling in a marketplace that works for them. Consumers are strongly against more taxes on wireless, and even when politicians spin more regulations as “consumer protection,” consumers do not favor more laws or regulations on wireless. Consumers think they already pay enough – or too much – on their monthly bills, and support policies that would prohibit more state and local taxes, fees and surcharges.
“Consumers consider wireless an extremely good value and don’t want government regulations making their individual choices for them, particularly adding bureaucratic control that would delay innovation and increase consumer costs. Wireless has become the service of choice for more than 256 million Americans for staying connected, but also for the Internet, music, gaming, video and more. Do we really want Washington controlling our wireless? For consumers who want more innovation, more choices, and great values, the answer is a clear, ‘no,’” said Kuo.
McLaughlin & Associates, along with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, of New York, conducted this bi-partisan national survey of 1,000 adult wireless phone users who are likely voters via telephone on March 17-19, 2008. More survey results are available at http://www.MyWireless.org/nationalsurvey/. To learn more about MyWireless.org, a nationwide non-profit advocacy organization representing American wireless consumers, please visit http://www.MyWireless.org today.
