Consumerist
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internet
Here's What The New FCC Net Neutrality Rules Mean
Yesterday the FCC announced new, expanded rules enforcing net neutrality, and they've set aside the next 60 days for public debate. Get ready to hear all sorts of creative end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it arguments from opponents like AT&T. We've checked out the official document (pdf) and below we summarize the changes that are open to public discussion for the next two months. More » -
cellphones
Walmart Gets Into Cellular Business, Offers Unlimited Plan For $45
Today Walmart announced that it's launching its own wireless service, Straight Talk, on October 18th. The network will
piggyback onuse TracFone's wireless network. At launch, two pre-paid plans will be offered: a $30 package that includes 1000 minutes, 1000 text messages, and 30MB of data; or a $45 plan that includes unlimited voice, text, and data. 411 calls are free."Walmart offers $45 unlimited wireless service!" [IntoMobile]
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accidental exclusivity
No Palm Pre For Verizon Wireless?
If you've been holding out on a phone upgrade or carrier switch until the Palm Pre comes to Verizon, you may need to give up the dream. The carrier has "reportedly ditched plans to offer the Palm Pre early next year," says PC World. Apparently poor sales of the device at Sprint, combined with Verizon's interest in upcoming Blackberry devices, killed any enthusiasm the carrier once had. Update: The no-Pre rumor may be false, according to these two analysts.
"Verizon Scraps Palm Pre Plans, Report Says" [PC World]
(Photo: idovermani) -
suckas
Congratulations Americans, We Pay The Most For Cellphone Service
A new survey from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) compared annual costs around the world for consumers who have cellphones, and the U.S. is in the top three for most expensive. How expensive? DSLReports notes that "on average, the OECD found that Americans pay $635.85 on cell phone service, compared to $131.44 per year in the Netherlands or $137.94 per year in Sweden." More » -
bureaucracy
Everyone Knows How To Handle A Stolen Checkbook Except For Verizon
Yesterday I was musing that Time Warner Cable was passing the cost of customer care off to other businesses, by requiring customers to take half-days or full days off of work just to wait for a cable repairman. Today I think I stumbled upon another hidden economic impact of bad customer service: it's responsible for generating a lot of the "free" content online. The next time you're reading an IMDB entry about "Damages" or "Big Love" for example, you can thank Verizon's collection of angry, confused, and possibly insane employees, and all the idle time they create for a customer who has to deal with them. More » -
copyright
ASCAP Wants Royalties On Ringtones
Not content to let the RIAA get all the recent publicity for stupid lawsuits, ASCAP has sued AT&T over sales of ringtones, saying each time a ringtone plays it's a public performance and royalties should be paid. Luckily (?) for consumers, ASCAP wants AT&T, not individuals, to pay—although we wonder what they'll say when you take a track from your own library and make a ringtone out of it.
"Group Sues AT&T Over Ringtones Heard In Public" [MocoNews]
(Photo: Ewan-M) -
cellphones
Are Cellphone Exclusivity Deals Bad For Consumers?
Yesterday, four U.S. Senators sent a letter to FCC acting chairman Michael Copps requesting an investigation into whether exclusivity deals between handset makers and national carriers are ultimately good for consumers, and they plan to hold a hearing on the issue on Wednesday, June 16th. They join a growing number of people and organizations, including the Rural Cellular Association (RCA), who say exclusivity deals benefit no one but the carriers and manufacturers. More » -
rumors
AT&T Isn't Going To Reduce iPhone Data Plans
For a while now, there have been rumors and speculation that AT&T was considering reducing its data plan by $10 per month in an attempt to be more competitive with other carriers. Today AT&T officially put the kibosh on that scuttlebutt, which is how I write once the cocktail hour kicks in on Friday. Says an AT&T spokesman, "We've been very happy with our pricing."
"AT&T Says Forget About Cheaper Data Rates For The iPhone 3G S" [mocoNews.net]
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T-Mobile is running a "flip your pearl" promotion right now, where you can trade in your old Blackberry for at least $75 (or another phone for $50) when you buy and activate a new Blackberry from them. Your trade-in phone will have to meet certain conditions for the offer to apply. [FlipYourPearl via IntoMobile]
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success stories
Letter To T-Mobile Executives Results In Fees Waived, Charges Reversed
Chris was surprised to find that T-Mobile didn't cancel his account as promised a few months ago. What's worse, the note on his account that mentioned his cancellation request was missing, and nobody at customer service would help him. Chri works for a "very large consumer electronics company" that he won't name (we're pretty sure it's Apple) and thinks customer service is important, so he gave up on the CSR angle and instead came to our site to find contact info for T-Mobile executives. One EECB later, Chris is free from T-Mobile and the ETF they tried to apply. More » -
virgin mobile
Virgin Mobile Offers To Pay Your Phone Bill For 3 Months If You Get Laid Off
Starting tomorrow, Virgin Mobile will offer all customers who sign up for $30 or more post-paid plans coverage under their free Pink Slip program, which means if you get laid off and can provide proof, they'll pay your cellphone bill for three months, and you won't have to put a Skype number on your resume. More » -
tmobile
T-Mobile Customers Can Take Advantage Of Cheaper Plans Starting Today
The rumor was true—T-Mobile has started offering cheaper unlimited voice plans to existing customers. Matthew wrote to us, "The TMO loyalty plans are showing up on the site as of today...we just moved to the Unlimited Loyalty Family Plan at $89.99, which is $10 cheaper than the 2000 minute Family Plan we'd been on." More » -
cellphone plans
Rumor: T-Mobile Will Offer New 'Loyalty Plans' For Existing Customers In March
IntoMobile says that there's a leaked screenshot going around that suggests new pricing due March 1st from T-Mobile. Among the new plans: $50/month for unlimited anytime minutes, and family plans starting at $90/month with additional lines at $40/month. There's also a rumored $135 credit if you add a line and move a number over from another carrier. Is it true? We'll know in about a week. More » -
T-Mobile came in first in a J.D. Power and Associates study of cellphone customer care performance, with 755 out of a possible 1,000 points. Actually, though, all the carriers came in above the 700 point range except for Sprint, which was in the 600s. [RCR Wireless]
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verizon wireless
Verizon Wireless Going Contract-Free Next Week?
If the website Boy Genius Report is correct, next week Verizon Wireless will start offering contract-free, month-to-month service. Pretty much everyone will be eligible for it, but of course you'll have to pay full price for a phone or bring your own, there'll be an activation fee that can't be waived, and if you take advantage of any special offers that require a contract, you'll have to switch over to a contract agreement. It's supposed to start on September 21st. More » -
text messaging
Congress Asks Wireless Carriers To Justify Text Message Rate Increases
This week, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) asked the top wireless carriers—AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile—to explain why they doubled the cost of sending text messages over the past 3 years. They have until October 6th to respond.
The similar price increases, coming at similar times, Kohl said, "is hardly consistent with the vigorous price competition we hope to see in a competitive marketplace."
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airlines
U.S. Airlines Now Charging As Much As $400 To Carry Surfboards
Airlines and surfers must be involved in some secret war, because how else can you explain why airlines are targeting them so savagely right now? Sure, snacks cost us $9, bags are $50 each, and seat belts will probably soon be auctioned off during the preflight check—but if you're a surfer, you can expect to pay up to $200 each way to bring along your board, pretty much blowing out the budget of any surfer who isn't Patrick Swayze. More » -
iphone
The New iPhone May Save You Money—If You Don't Buy One
If you're thinking about getting that new 3G iPhone, you might want to hold off a few more months and see what happens with the other carriers. BusinessWeek has an article about how AT&T's aggressive subsidizing of the iPhone will have a negative impact on handset makers and carriers, because it's going to force them to increase subsidies and reduce service fees. Translation: good times for the consumer bold enough to stay off the iPhone train. More »
carriers
New York, 11:42 AM
Tue Nov 10
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