Bush Administration Announces New Consumer Feature

Beginning in June 2007, American cell-phones will ring when idle and fall silent when a call comes through, said a Federal Trade Commission spokesman in an advanced announcement. In an executive order published last week in the Federal Register, the White House said the change "gives phone customers the right to pay only for the services they want, like making the constant ringing stop."

"Idle cellphones will be much easier to find when the ringers are used consistently," said Brad Hanging-Chad, a 2006 Bob Jones University graduate who is now awaiting Senate confirmation as the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.

"Most customers are expected to be happy with the reverse ring-silence modality, but those who prefer the traditional ring-when-called mode can now purchase that value added service for just $6.99 and up per month," said Mr. Hanging-Chad, who did not return reporters' phone calls about his stock in several wireless telephone carriers.

Although regulations to be implemented in 2012 will require phone companies to offer the "no ring" function for "a reasonable fee", customers can call this number or this number now to report charges that seem excessive.