Wireless Telephones

Wireless communications include cell phones, pagers and wireless networks. The FCC regulates some aspects of wireless or mobile phone service. The FCC has an online publication regarding wireless phone usage and cellular plans at www.fcc.gov/guides/bill-shock-tips-avoiding-your-mobile-phone.

The FCC's wireless "local number portability" (LNP) rules allow cell phone users to switch wireless carriers within the same geographic area and keep the same phone number. You can also switch between landline telephone companies and wireless companies (or vice versa) and keep the same telephone number.

My daughter's school will not let students use cell phones. Can they stop me from calling her at school?

You can call your daughter's phone, but the school's policies may prohibit her from using it or even having it during the school day. Your best bet is to call the school office and leave a message for your daughter to call you from a school phone at her next break.

Is it not discriminatory for restaurants to prohibit cell phones?

It is only discrimination if you were prohibited from using your cell phone because of your race, religion, age or national origin. Otherwise, any private business can ban cell phone use, just as they can require customers to wear shoes and shirts to obtain service.

Can my employer ban camera cell phones from the workplace even though I keep in touch with my children that way?

Your employer can make any policies it wants in the workplace as long as the policies are not discriminatory. You will have to bring a noncamera cell phone to work or keep in touch with your children another way.

Are cell phones harmful to my health?

Cell phones emit radio waves (radio frequency or RF). According to some experts, high RF levels can cause memory loss, migraines or dizziness. Cell phone companies must report the RF levels of each phone model they manufacture to the FCC. Wireless phones sold in the United States emit safe RF levels.

TIP: An unsafe RF level is a specific absorption rate (SAR) of more than 1.6 watts per kilogram.

TIP: For instructions on how to locate the RF level on your cell phone, go to the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety.