Wireless companies called to testify in Washington

Top executives from several major wireless companies could have a tense day on Friday. Reps from Verizon, Sprint Nextel, Cingular and T-Mobile USA have been asked to testify in front of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington.

The issue is the use of pretexting by data brokers to get their hands on consumers’ call records and other private information. The committee is moving at a typically fast politician pace – they have spent the last seven months investigating the subject already. The heads of the FCC and Federal Trade Commission will also be appearing on Friday.