AT&T and Verizon cut the cell-phone bull

To avoid being gored, you don't have to outrun the bulls — you just have to outrun the other guys. That seems to be the strategy AT&T and Verizon are taking, at any rate. The telcos hope a few changes in policy are enough to hold off a sweeping regulatory bill proposed in the Senate last month. Verizon has stopped automatically renewing contracts when customers make a change to their plan and AT&T is offering prorated termination fees. The Senate has proposed a bill requiring prorated termination fees, no hidden fees not required by law, and a 30-day grace period for consumers to get out of any new contracts. An industry lobbyist says the bill is bad for consumers, natch — while the companies are marketing their changes, largely identical to lawmakers' requests, as good for consumers. Is this self-policing just bull? We're skeptical. This Congress has failed to get much done, but cell companies are oxen we'd all like to gore. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)