Telecommunications
News
Telecom RSS FeedTime Warner Roadrunner "Turbo" broadband Internet: Are you really getting what you paid for?
Recently I had to "choose" a broadband Internet provider. After having my "choices" narrowed down for me by a serious lack of competition ( I hear U-Verse is on its way some day), I went with my first, last, and only choice, Time Warner. Despite feeling trapped, the Time Warner customer service rep wooed me with promises of a new broadband paradigm, Roadrunner "turbo." For some reason this "15 Mbps down, 2 Mbps" up Internet was cheaper than the default 8 Mbps/ 1 Mbps option of yesteryear, so I pounced on the deal like a caged tiger given extra scraps of meat at dinner.
The moral of this story is to check the bandwidth you're getting from your broadband Internet provider.
UCAN Not Endorsing the Power Net Global (PNG) Option in 2008; PNG Has Changed
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!
Battle of cable, telecom titans may not benefit consumers
Los Angeles Times - Consumer columnist David Lazarus reports on new strategies being developed by cable and telecom companies that may not be as beneficial to consumers as the companies predict. MORE
Warrantless wiretap votes equal dollars from Telecom PAC
Telecom political action groups gave twice as much money to Democrats who switched from opposing to supporting legal amnesty to Telecoms that aided the government's warrantless wiretapping program. More.
SHUT UP AND DRIVE! Why new laws should not apply to young people.
Using a cell phone without hands-free equipment while driving is now unlawful. However, studies show that hands-free driving isn't necessarily any safer than having a cell phone glued to your ear, and that simply talking on any phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. Yet oddly, talking to a fellow passenger while driving or listening to the radio does not seem to be a significant cause of accidents. Why? Is it possible that driving poorly while talking on the phone is a function of age? More.
Law & Policy
Issues
Cramming Requirement Revisions in California
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
UCAN has filed a federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans. You can read the complaint here.
Ethiopian AT&T Wireless Roaming Overcharges and Cramming
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
California Lifeline, formerly known as Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS), provides discounted basic residential (landline) telephone service to low-income households.
MCI Long Distance Charges
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
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
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
From SDG&E to SBC, get the real story on undergrounding in San Diego inside this issue center.
Legal Filings
UCAN Reply Comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements
Date of Filing/Decision
Apr 27 2008
UCAN's reply comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements in proceeding 00-02-004 at the California Public Utilities Commission.
UCAN Comments regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements
Date of Filing/Decision
Apr 7 2008
UCAN's comments filed regarding proposed cramming reporting requirements in the continuing CPUC rulemaking, 00-02-004.
UCAN v. MCI Final Settlement
Date of Filing/Decision
Mar 13 2008
The final settlement in 06-10-023, UCAN's cramming case against MCI.
UCAN v. MCI CPUC Approval of Final Settlement
Date of Filing/Decision
Mar 13 2008
The California Public Utilities Commission approval of the final settlement in 06-10-023, a cramming case brought by UCAN against MCI.
UCAN vs Sprint Nextel federal class action complaint for erroneous taxes, fees, and text message charges
Date of Filing/Decision
Nov 21 2007
UCAN's federal class action complaint against Sprint Nextel (aka Sprint Solutions) for illegally billing customers taxes, fees, and text message charges on data services plans.
Tools
How to Cancel Your Cell Phone Contract
Cell phone providers will let you get out of your contract for around $175 per phone line with no questions asked.
If that just isn't good enough for you, and it shouldn't be, then take a look at this guide to learn about asserting your rights!
How To Check Your Cell Phone Minutes and Account Balance
How not to go over your minutes and how to know the balance you owe
Free 411 Directory Assistance
In the past two years the cost of directory assistance has skyrocketed. Telephone companies are charging their customers unreasonable fees. Thankfully, there are some real alternatives available that should ensure consumers never pay for directory assistance again.
Mobile Phone Plan Checker - How to buy a cell phone
Don't sign a cell phone deal without it! UCAN's new and improved Mobile Phone Plan Checker forces cellular phone salespeople to back up their sales claims in writing.
The guide can help you compare and choose cell phone plans. It also offers lots of tips about researching before you buy and even how to handle a dispute with your cell phone company.
Featured
UCAN Not Endorsing the Power Net Global (PNG) Option in 2008; PNG Has Changed
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!
Battle of cable, telecom titans may not benefit consumers
Los Angeles Times - Consumer columnist David Lazarus reports on new strategies being developed by cable and telecom companies that may not be as beneficial to consumers as the companies predict. MORE
Cell phone users 'crammed' with unauthorized fees
Phone Fraud on the Prowl: LawyersandSettlements.com interviews UCAN Advocate Sue Macomber urges consumers to inspect for their phone bills for cramming - a form of white collar phone billing fraud. READ MORE
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Utility Consumers' Action Network
(619) 696-6966 or file a complaint about a company online.
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UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be, a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
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