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AT&T's new Customer Service Agreement is not only flawed and unfair, but it is almost three feet long when printed. Are the new terms in effect? Not yet. Full Story.
After a grassroots campaign spearheaded by keep760.org and assisted by UCAN, the CPUC voted 5-0 in favor of keeping the 760 area code and overlaying new area code 442, reversing its earlier ruling that would have split the area code in two. A split would have forced all North (San Diego) County residents and businesses to adopt area code 442.
Instead, the current 760 area code stays put, while new numbers may be assigned to either area code.
Big business really wants to shove the $700 billion bailout down America's throat. AT&T and others want to scare us into supporting the bailout.
Power Net Global (PNG) customers have reported to UCAN that their local AT&T bills were charged a switching fee from Quest long distance to Williams Communications long distance. PNG maintained that customers received notice of this change. UCAN did not find any members who had ever seen the notice to switch from Quest to Williams. So, what should customers do if they see these charges by Williams Communications? Immediately call PNG at 1-877-599-3095 or 1-800-860-9495 and request your credit in the amount of $3.31 for per account. Make sure you have your AT&T local bill ready to fax to PNG to prove you were charged the switching fee, if asked. NOTE: The number that was posted previously in this blog and that was given to UCAN by PNG (1-877-441-6096) is no longer a working number. UCAN was not notified of this change by PNG. Fortunately, a UCAN member called to notify us about the non-working #.
UCAN is distressed at calls from relatives of AT&T customers trying to cancel service for deceased parents. And when we say "trying", that's exactly what is meant both literally and figuratively. Without the account passwords, cancellation of service for deceased persons is almost impossible. A FierceTelecom article written by Doug Mohney summed up the problem and provided two examples showing consumers in two states are not happy with these AT&T billing and cancellation practices. Read More.
The 442 area code is invading North (San Diego) County. Can it be stopped from wiping out 760? The PUC has the final say, but you can e-mail the PUC to demand an overlay so you keep your current 760 area code. The options are:
1. 760 / 442 Overlay - You keep the 760 area code for your current number and get 442 area code for new numbers.
2. Split - You get 442 as your new area code.
E-mail the PUC at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov demanding implementation of the overlay and read more at Keep760.org for details on why the overlay is better for North County residents and businesses.
UCAN agrees with other consumer groups that the lengthy AT&T contract received by most residential customers was a shot in the arm alarm announcing price increases were coming and that we should be prepared for a raise in basic local telephone service. Well, Thursday on 9/18/08, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved price hikes of up to $3.25 per month on land line phones for next year through 2010.
Several UCAN members have contacted us about AT&T's new 16-page Residential Service Agreement which is accompanied by a notice that begins, "Enclosed is the new AT&T Residential Service Agreement for residential services provided by AT&T. Please read it carefully."
Power Net Global (PNG) has changed. UCAN is no longer including the option of using Power Net Global (PNG). In 2002, UCAN did a consumer guide and a newsletter showing PNG as a great option for long distance phone service because not only did UCAN members get installation fees waived, but there were NO monthly fees for customers using this service. The company now charges minimum monthly usage fees and a .99 cent monthly fee. To top things off, PNG recently started rounding up each call to the nearest minute instead of the six-second increcements it use to use. The bottom line is that there are better deals out there for consumers!
On April 24th, the California Public UtilitiesCommission, made a ruling on AT&T Tariff Rule 12 that will have a significant impact on AT&T marketing abilities. The ruling gave validity to Advice Letters 28800 and 28982 written in 2006 by AT&T. Read more.
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