Summary Box: Federal Communications Commission seeks to avoid wireless bill surprises

Summary Box: FCC tackles surprise wireless bills

WHAT REGULATORS ARE PROPOSING: Regulators are considering a requirement that wireless phone companies alert consumers before they reach roaming or data usage limits on their plans.

WHY RULES ARE NEEDED: The FCC says hundreds of people have complained of “bill shock” — “the experience of getting an unexpectedly high wireless phone bill.”

WHAT THE RULE COULD REQUIRE: The FCC may follow the lead of the European Union. The EU requires mobile providers to send customers a text message as they are running up roaming charges or approaching caps on data usage.