Verizon Wireless Proposes Roaming Rule Change

Facing pressure from the government, Verizon Wireless has proposed a change to the current laws regarding roaming. As the law stands, carriers are not required to provide roaming services to competing entities that own spectrum in a given market but have yet to build out a network there. Smaller carriers have complained that this hurts their customers, who won't be able to roam in those regions and will be left without service. Verizon says it will support legislation that requires it to provide roaming services in this type of circumstance, provided the requirement lasts no longer than two years. The letter was sent to several senators, and is the second olive branch extended by Verizon Wireless in the last week to appease those concerned about competition in the marketplace.