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(RCRNews) Two key Senate members today unveiled a sweeping wireless consumer protection bill, setting the stage for a fierce battle between lawmakers and the mobile-phone industry that’s likely to play out well into the 2008 election season.

The coming legislation goes further than setting federal standards governing contracts, billing-service quality and other wireless industry practices. It also directs the Federal Communications Commission to submit to Congress a study on handset locking and its effect on consumer behavior and competition. The FCC would become a tough enforcer of wireless protection guidelines under the measure.

“The rules governing our wireless industry are a relic of the 1980s, when cellphones were a luxury item that fit into a briefcase instead of a pocket,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), lead sponsor of a bill that could be introduced as soon as tomorrow.

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