If you’re an out-of-contract Verizon Wireless customer who just hasn’t gotten around to cashing in on your upgrade, you might want to do so now — or face a $30 fee. [More]
Here's How Much Law Enforcement Has To Pay To Snoop On Your Calls
By April 9, 2012
Back in December, a U.S. Appeals court gave the thumbs-up to telecommunications companies working with the National Security Agency to monitor phones and email. Phone companies are also apparently totally cool with selling access to your phone activities to other law enforcement agencies willing to fork over pre-set prices. [More]
Verizon: If You Want To Upgrade Your DSL Service, You'll Have To Get Local Phone Service Too
By April 4, 2012
Our inbox is currently being flooded with complaints from angry Verizon DSL customers who found out today that if they ever want to change or upgrade their service — even if they simply want to move across town — they’ll soon have to add Verizon local phone service. [More]
Which Worst Company Contenders Force Customers Into Mandatory Arbitration?
By March 21, 2012
As we sifted through the mountain of nominations for this year’s Worst Company In America tournament, we noticed a trend of readers who cited companies’ mandatory binding arbitration clauses as a reason for nominating. And while it’s businesses like AT&T and Sony that have made all the headlines for effectively banning class action lawsuits, there are a lot of other WCIA contenders who are forcing customers into signing away their rights. [More]
Verizon: You Totally Need This Unnecessary FiOS Upgrade
By March 21, 2012
Verizon really wants Sean to sign up for FiOS. Really, really wants him to sign up. He’s happy kicking it old-school with a regular old copper landline, and dumping the barrage of FiOS ads in the trash. So it was interesting when he got a letter apologizing for nonexistent “service issues” in his area and urging him to upgrade to the newer, shinier fiber optic network. The letter assures him that he can totally keep his current phone plan at its current price – even though the equivalent plan under FiOS is cheaper. [More]
Worst Company In America Round One: AT&T Vs. Verizon
By March 19, 2012
Two telecom titans will step into the Worst Company gladiator pit this afternoon. One will walk out victorious while the other will end up stuck with a huge early termination fee. [More]
Here It Is, Your Lineup For Worst Company In America 2012!
By March 12, 2012
Welcome to Consumerist’s 7th Annual Worst Company In America tournament, where the businesses you nominated face off for a title that none of them will publicly admit to wanting — but which all of them try their hardest to earn. So it’s time to fill in the brackets and start another office pool. That is, unless you work at one of the 32 companies competing in the tournament. [More]
Verizon Upgrades My Smartphone, Downgrades My Data Plan
By March 9, 2012
At the end of last year, Christopher and his girlfriend upgraded their Verizon phones to a pair of lovely matching Samsung Galaxy Nexuses. They’ve both had Verizon data plans long enough that they’re grandfathered in to unlimited data, and Christopher has unlimited international data as well. Or…. he did. After the upgrade, his unlimited plan is gone, the employee who turned it off has (apparently) fled the country, and no one at corporate or the local Verizon store knows how to get it back. [More]
Verizon Wireless Customer Service Is So Terrible, I Actually Miss AT&T
By March 2, 2012
Peter thought he was doing something pretty sweet thing for Verizon Wireless. After fours years with AT&T, not only was he switching over, but he was bringing a total of four phones with her. So forgive him for assuming that maybe Verizon wouldn’t make the entire experience a completely miserable one. [More]
T-Mobile Asks FCC To Stop Verizon Wireless Spectrum Purchase
By February 22, 2012
Still stinging from being left alone at the altar by AT&T, T-Mobile USA apparently doesn’t want to see any of its fellow wireless carriers making multi-billion dollar deals if it can’t. [More]
Report: Next iPads Will Run On 4G LTE Networks
By February 14, 2012
The Apple iPad currently dominates the tablet market, even though none of the currently available versions give users access to 4G wireless networks. But according to a new report, that could all change when the latest iPads are unveiled next month. [More]
Restaurant Uses Old School Social Media To Complain About Verizon
By February 9, 2012
It’s now commonplace for angry consumers to use Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or WUPHF to complain that they are being ignored by their phone/cable/satellite provider. But one restaurant in Manhattan decided to voice its opinion of Verizon in a way that doesn’t require an internet connection. [More]
4G Phones Are Fast But Spotty Service Is A Real Drain On Your Battery
By February 6, 2012
With Verizon’s 4G network covering a good chunk of the country and AT&T gaining ground, more smartphone users have access to the fastest wireless service available. But because 4G coverage isn’t truly continuous in many locations, users’ batteries are taking a big hit. [More]
Verizon & Redbox Team Up In Unholy Video Alliance To Take On Netflix
By February 6, 2012
In an attempt to woo Netflix customers who want either streaming video, DVD rental or both, Verizon and Coinstar’s Redbox have joined forces to provide a new video service. The way they made the announcement, seems like they’re kind of saying, “Yeah, we’re not going to be Netflix, so, pick us!” [More]
Not Only Did AT&T Lose A Bundle On The Failed Merger But It's Also Trailing Verizon In New Customers
By January 26, 2012
AT&T post-failed merger with T-Mobile is at that point where it’s like not only did you get divorced and have to pay out a bunch of money to your ex, but also the annoying woman who sits next to you at work is constantly gabbing on the phone about how many dates she’s getting and how wonderfully fantastic her life is. [More]
Verizon Deal To Buy Spectrum From Comcast & Time Warner Cable May Not Be A Cakewalk
By January 23, 2012
While AT&T was failing horribly at attempting to amp up its 4G network by buying T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless was busy making deals with cable companies to snap up unused and underused spectrum. And though insiders initially believed VZW’s purchases would glide across regulators’ desks since cable companies are not competitors in the wireless world, a new report claims the spectrum sale may get a more thorough looking-into than had been expected. [More]
I Signed Up For Verizon DSL Back In September. They Forgot That I Exist.
By January 12, 2012
Heather signed up for Verizon DSL service at her new place last September. So she’s been enjoying several months of cost-effective Internet service by now, right? Not exactly. Her story is a perfect illustration of why it is that monopolies can make customers miserable. The scheduled installation technician never showed up, troubleshooting of her service didn’t work, and when she tried to set up service again months later, they misplaced her account and kept hanging up on her. [More]
OnStar Working With Verizon To Bring 4G LTE To Your Car
By January 9, 2012
Last year, OnStar used its platform at the Consumer Electronics Show to announce that it was finally going to make its service available for installation in vehicles that were not made by General Motors. This year, the company showed it wants to branch out from its established position in the crash-response/locked-out-of-my-car industry by announcing a partnership with Verizon Wireless that could be bringing all sorts of other content to your car via 4G LTE. [More]
