Google released its Voice and Video chat today, and our own unscientific tests here at New Media Rights and UCAN show that the audio and video quality easily rivals competing services such as Skype. The biggest difference is that this is Google making a move into the voice and video area and it has the potential to alter the playing field a fair amount.

Tony Wolverton of the San Jose Mercury News reported what we've all been expecting.  Any customers who do not have bundled package plans with AT&T can look forward to between a 10% and 25% monthly increase for basic land line phone services. In January 2009, the basic phone service will increase from $10.94 to $13.50 per month. Executive Director Michael Shames of Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) is quoted in the article as follows:  "Saying that the phone market is competitive is 'sort of like saying that television wrestling is a real sport'".

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, 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.

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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.

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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 1-877-441-6096 and request your credit in the amount of $3.31.  Make sure you have your AT&T local bill ready to fax to PNG to prove you were charged the switching fee, if asked. 

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 [at] cpuc [dot] ca [dot] 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."