SAN FRANCISCO — California regulators have canceled a plan to charge a fee for text messaging on mobile phones.
The California Public Utilities Commission reversed course after a Federal Communications Commission ruling last week classified text messaging as an information service and not a telecommunications service.

State Has Limited Authority

The Federal Telecommunications Act limits state authority over information services.
Regulators announced Friday that CPUC commissioner Carla Peterman withdrew the text proposal “in light of the FCC’s action” Dec. 12.
California officials said the tax would help support programs that make phone service accessible to the poor.
The wireless industry and business groups were against the plan.

Fresno Assemblyman Says He’ll Be a Watchdog

BREAKING NEWS: The CPUC has cancelled the January vote on the #TextTax! You can bet I’ll keep a watchful eye on them for future shenanigans. For now…consider the Text Tax cancelled. pic.twitter.com/PK6b4CumeK

— Jim Patterson (@JimPatterson559) December 15, 2018