Is your internet connection slower than Congress trying to pass health reform? If so, here is some good news. There are some new and useful tools to help you deal with your dragging broadband. 

John investigates the website Too Lazy further.

Five years of misservice as a coopted regulator has resulted in a reward by the Govenor to a disgraced appointee.   This is but an unsavory taste of the miasmic meal served daily by regulators who are supposed to be protecting the public....but aren't.

UCAN's New Media Rights project, which offers free legal help, equipment, and technical expertise to online artists, musicians, filmmakers, and citizen journalists, has been invited to be a partner with Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the Online Media Legal Network. Full Story.

Verizon's Touch Pro 2 smartphone is a must if you need a keypad and the fullest possible Exchange integration but it's not what I had hoped for.

NMR Community Journalism Project investigates: Consumers complain about unauthorized charges from TooLazy LLC on their cell phone bills.

On December 8th, the head of the State Senate announced that the Senate would not hold a hearing to confirm PUC Commissioner Rachelle Chong. Chong, who has been severely criticized by consumer groups, was first appointed in 2006 and had been seeking a term that would have lasted through 2014.   If Chong is not confirmed this year, she will be forced to step down from the Commission.   This is the first time in modern history that a PUC appointment has been rejected by the Senate.  Read why.................

A review of Verizon Wireless' new Motorola DROID Smartphone using the Android mobile operating system and why I'm taking mine back.

John Mattes, UCAN's embedded reporter, goes out in the field to investigate cell phone kiosks which house "authorized retailers". They make customers sign additional contracts for new phones and plans, that include hidden fees of more than $100 dollars.

DON'T BUY A MOBILE PHONE WITHOUT UCAN'S CELLPHONE PLAN CHECKER and check out NEW MEDIA RIGHTS CREATIVE COMMONS HOW-TO AND LEGAL GUIDES

Telecom and utility companies use the National Consumers Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE), a members-only, unique Equifax database to review consumer credit history. The question remains whether the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to the NCTUE and what information consumers should be able to obtain about themselves.