A new draft bill (pdf) by Representative Edward J. Markey would do two things we think broadband-connected readers will find interesting. One, it again tries to pass a federal law that allows local towns and cities to run their own broadband if they aren't served by a carrier -- something that's been essentially been made illegal by incumbent ISPs who've lobbied hard for state-level bans on municipal broadband in more than a dozen states.

However, the Wireless Consumer Protection and Community Broadband Empowerment Act primarily takes aim at the wireless industry. It would require carriers to be very clear in their pricing, provide detailed maps of their coverage areas, allow customers to cancel without penalty in the first thirty days, and requires they allow customers to buy unsubsidized handsets and devices that don't lock them into long-term contracts.

Markey's website says that he's still looking for input on the bill. We've seen several attempts now to get bills passed that protect a community's right to run its own broadband, though they never seem to survive long. Some of the wireless improvements Markey is pushing (like allowing users to make plan changes without contract extensions) carriers are starting to implement voluntarily in order to prevent tough regulation and Attorney General lawsuits.

It's great is to see someone finally tackle wireless "unfees" (though the broadband sector also engages in the practice). Burying rate hikes in bogus-sounding fees is a form of false advertising that both State and Federal lawmakers have been perfectly willing to ignore.