Would You Pay Higher Cell Phone Fees to Benefit Schools?

By Patch editor Sharon McLoone

President Obama is crafting a plan to expand super speedy Internet access in schools, but wants to pay for it by raising mobile-phone fees, according to an article in The Washington Post.

Would you pay more on your cell phone bill to help expand technology in schools?

Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton told the Post: “Most consumers would balk at higher phone bills.” 

Do you agree?

He chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees these types of issues.

The plan is expected to cost up to $6 billion, and the Obama administration said it would cost about $12 in fees for every cell phone user over three years. 

Obama’s plan uses the ability of the Federal Communications Commission to charge consumers fees to fund specific priorities such as a fund most cell phone users pay into now that subsidizes phone service for the poor.