Wireless consumers will be alerted in real time when they're about to go over their voice, data, or text-messaging limits thanks to a new voluntary agreement struck between the wireless industry and the Federal Communications Commission.

On Monday, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski and the head of the CTIA, the wireless industry's trade group, Steve Largent, are expected to reveal the new plan at a press conference in Washington, D.C.

As part of the deal between the government and industry, wireless operators will send alerts to customers who are in danger of exceeding their monthly voice, data, and text limits.

The goal is to ensure that people are not surprised by hefty monthly charges. A year ago the FCC identified "bill shock" as a major issue for consumers. The agency said that in the first half of 2010 it had received more than 764 complaints from consumers, who said they were surprised by additional charges on their bill for going over their limits or being charged very high roaming fees when they traveled internationally.

One woman, who was in Haiti during the earthquake in 2010, said she came home to a $30,000 cell phone bill from T-Mobile USA.

A year ago, the FCC proposed adopting regulation to force the industry to provide alerts to customers. The industry opposed this regulation, but as the rule-making process unfolded, the two sides struck an agreement under which cellular carriers will voluntarily send alerts to subscribers to warn them about overages.

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Written by Marguerite Reardon

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