- News [1]
- Law & Policy [2]
News
Telecom RSS FeedAT&T Trouble Borrowing, Are You Kidding Me ? [5]
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.
More [7]
Power Net Global Customers charged for switch to Williams Communications [10]
Power Net Global (PNG) customers have reported to UCAN that their local AT&T bills show they've been switched to a new long distance carrier called Williams Communications. Although PNG insisted customers received notice of this change, not one customer reported ever seeing any notice. PNG told UCAN it had an agreement with AT&T not to charge UCAN customers. AT&T said it had no information about any agreement. So, what should customers do if they see these charges by Williams Communications? Immediately call PNG at 1-877-441-6096 and let the company know that UCAN was promised all charges would be credited.
UCAN advice to cancel AT&T services for deceased parents [14]
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.
[16]
New 442 Area Code to Invade North San Diego County - What About 760 ? [19]
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 [at] cpuc [dot] ca [dot] gov demanding implementation of the overlay and read more at Keep760.org [21] for details on why the overlay is better for North County residents and businesses.
UCAN says telephone company deregulation will raise rates [24]
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.
Law & Policy
- Issues [38]
- Legal Filings [39]
Issues
Telepacific charges for calls never made -- blame the phone company or hackers? [40]
Imagine you are small business and you get a bill from your local phone company company for $1000. You are shocked because your monthly bill is usually closer to $100 per month. The company claims that your higher bill is for the international calls that you made from your fax machine. "Hold on", you think. "I didn't make any international calls from my fax machine or from ANY phone. I didn't make any international calls at all!"
You protest but the phone company says that even though you didn't make the calls, someone was able to hack into your phone system and make the calls. "But wait", you exclaim, "I don't have a phone system. I don't have a PBX. I just have two phone lines provided by you".
"Ah, but you didn't take precautions to protect your phones from being hacked," responds the phone company.
"What precautions!", you reply. "I put international call blocking on my phone service".
An impossible scenario? Apparently not accordingly to Telepacific/MPower. It did almost exactly this to a San Diego-based flower shop. Read our complaint about this shocking practice.
Cramming Requirement Revisions in California [41]
The CPUC is considering revising the rules regarding reporting of unauthorized charges for telecommunications services. Learn about the proposed changes as well as UCAN's position and legal filings on the issue.
Sprint Nextel illegally billing taxes, fees, and text message charges on data broadband services plans [42]
UCAN has filed a federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel [43] (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans. You can read the complaint here [44].
Ethiopian AT&T Wireless Roaming Overcharges and Cramming [45]
AT&T's practice of enabling international roaming without customer notification violates the CA Public Utilities Code, which is intended to protect consumers from "cramming" of unauthorized charges. AT&T customers are also being charged for calls that were never placed. UCAN asserts that these customers never sought nor authorized international roaming as a service provided in connection with their cellular phone service.
California Lifeline/Universal Lifeline Telephone Service [46]
California Lifeline [47], formerly known as Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS), provides discounted basic residential (landline) telephone service [48] to low-income households.
MCI Long Distance Charges [49]
UCAN's complaint, filed with the California Public Utilities Commission, details how MCI added surcharges to the bills of local phone customers in violation of California law. MCI's new long-distance "Basic Monthly Fee" is being imposed on those customers who use MCI's local phone service...but don't use MCI long-distance.
Ringtone and text message rip-offs [50]
Of all the new features and capabilities of today's cell phones, UCAN receives the most complaints about ringtones and text messages. Our issue center contains all sorts of valuable information from consumer guides and updates to lawsuits and settlements against major cell phone providers. Come inside and see for yourself!
Cingular Customer Service Case 2002-2007 [51]
UCAN established that Cingular Wireless engaged in illegal marketing and customer service practices from 2000-2002 and filed a suit in July 2002. The case dragged on for years, but in was worth the wait. In 2006, a CA Court of Appeals judge ruled against Cingular and upheld a CPUC decision to hit Cingular with a large fine for its unconscionable actions. Get all the details inside our issue center.
Undergrounding [52]
From SDG&E to SBC, get the real story on undergrounding in San Diego inside this issue center.
Legal Filings
Telepacific / MPower complaint regarding charges for unauthorized phone calls not made by customer [53]
Date of Filing/Decision
UCAN's complaint against Telepacific / MPower regarding charges for unauthorized phone calls not made by customer.
- Add new comment [54]
UCAN Reply Comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements [56]
Date of Filing/Decision
UCAN's reply comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements in proceeding 00-02-004 at the California Public Utilities Commission.
- Add new comment [57]
UCAN Comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements [59]
Date of Filing/Decision
UCAN's comments filed regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements in the continuing CPUC rulemaking, 00-02-004.
- Add new comment [60]
UCAN v. MCI Final Settlement [62]
Date of Filing/Decision
The final settlement in 06-10-023, UCAN's cramming case against MCI.
- Add new comment [63]
UCAN v. MCI CPUC Approval of Final Settlement [65]
Date of Filing/Decision
The California Public Utilities Commission approval of the final settlement in 06-10-023, a cramming case brought by UCAN against MCI.
- Add new comment [66]
