In a huge blow to peeved consumers, the Supreme Court ruled earlier today that companies can block customers from joining together in a class-action suit by forcing each complaint into arbitration.
at&t
It's Finally Here: White iPhone Goes On Sale Tomorrow
By 4.27.11
It’s been nearly a year since the white version of the iPhone 4 was originally supposed to go on sale. There have been numerous rumors of its impending availability, followed by news of further delays. But now Apple says that tomorrow it will finally be selling an iPhone that matches the signature white headphones. [More]
AT&T Charges Your 82-Year-Old Grandma A $150 ETF
By 4.26.11
One might think that a recently-widowed 82-year-old woman moving in with her grandson in another state would be have a valid reason for AT&T to waive the early termination fee on her phone and Internet package. Not so! Reader Chris is the grandson in this situation, and he helped his grandmother get the $150 ETF waived. AT&T has finally cooperated: they think. [More]
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps Talks Mergers With Consumerist
By 4.22.11
Of the commissioners on the FCC, Michael Copps is easily the most outspoken in his opinion on media consolidation. In January, he was the only commissioner to vote against the sale of NBC to Comcast, saying that the deal “grievously fails the public interest.” More recently, he’s expressed his skepticism about how smoothly the AT&T purchase of T-Mobile USA will go. And he’s also a cool enough guy to sit down for a chat with Consumerist. [More]
T-Mobile Announces $80 Unlimited Voice, Text & Data Plan For Smartphones
By 4.13.11
T-Mobile has announced a new unlimited plan for cellphone customers. For $80 per month, subscribers can sign up for an Even More two-year contract that offers unlimited voice, text, and data for any smartphone in its stable. But there is one slight catch. [More]
AT&T To Start Selling LG Thrive, Its First Prepaid Smartphone, Next Week
By 4.13.11
Starting Sunday, AT&T will get into the prepaid smartphone business when it begins selling the LG Thrive. [More]
MagicJack Loses Some of Its Money-Making Mojo
By 4.12.11
The company behind MagicJack, the $40 USB device that “makes monthly phone bills disappear” for consumers, is about see something else go up in smoke: Its own revenues. [More]
Survey: T-Mobile Not Only Cheaper Than AT&T, But It Also Sucks Less
By 4.11.11
Last week we showed you how T-Mobile gives customers a significantly better bang for their buck than AT&T. But it’s apparently not just pricing at which the smaller cellphone company bests its suitor. According to a recent survey done by our publishing kin at Consumer Reports, T-Mobile customers are not as displeased as AT&T subscribers are with their service provider. [More]
Worst Company In America Elite 8: Comcast Vs. AT&T
By 4.11.11
With only one slot left in this year’s WCIA Final Four, it’s time for the reigning Golden Poo-holders of Kabletown to defend their title against the forces of the Death Star. [More]
Analysis: T-Mobile Gives You More For Your Dollar Than AT&T
By 4.8.11
As AT&T prepares to head into the regulatory review of its pending purchase of T-Mobile USA, the telecom giant’s CEO has stated, however noncommittally, that existing T-Mobile customers should not see their rates go up. And according to a comparison done by our number-crunching cousins at Consumer Reports, many of those T-Mobile customers will be saving between $15 to $50 per month for similar service. [More]
AT&T Needs To Come Pick Up Its Crap From My House
By 4.8.11
Scot has been patient, but he wants AT&T’s crap out of his house. He was supposed to have U-Verse service at his new house back in December. A technician came to install service and left a pile of HD receivers and other equipment behind, promising to come back at a later date to finish the installation after a line was run to Scot’s house. The technician stood him up, no appointments were available for another month, and Scot sought refuge in the (comparatively) warm embrace of Comcast.
But $1,000 worth of AT&T equipment has been sitting around his house for three months. Scot doesn’t need it, and doesn’t think it should be his responsibility to haul it to a UPS Store. AT&T doesn’t seem to want it back. A customer service representative told him to throw it in a dumpster for all the company cares, which is idiotic and incredibly wasteful.
AT&T, Verizon Have To Let Smaller Rivals Use Network For Data, Just Like Voice
By 4.7.11
Just like with voice traffic, AT&T and Verizon have to let smaller competitors use their network for data roaming, the FCC today ruled. This would let wireless users clean their inboxes of spam and look up the capital of Greenland in less than 5 minutes of loading, just like they would at home. [More]
Say Hello To Your Worst Company In America Elite 8!
By 4.6.11
Two rounds of WCIA bloodshed are in the book and the beaten bodies of 24 multi-billion dollar companies are being hauled off to be burned on a pyre. But for those businesses left standing — let’s call them the Elite 8 — the parade of pain marches on. [More]
Make Your Voice Heard On The AT&T/T-Mobile Deal
By 4.5.11
AT&T’s pending $39 Billion purchase of T-Mobile USA hasn’t even gotten into the governmental review process but it’s already managed to get people on both sides of the debate talking. That’s why our benevolent benefactors at Consumers Union are looking for folks willing to go on the record with their concerns and comments on the deal. [More]
Worst Company In America Sweet 16: Apple Vs. AT&T
By 4.5.11
Here it is, the final no-holds-barred death match of the WCIA Sweet 16! To finish off this round, we’ve got two companies that — until very recently — shared a death grip on the U.S. iPhone market. [More]
AT&T CEO: "I Don't See Why" T-Mobile Customers' Rates Will Go Up After Sale
By 4.4.11
Among the big concerns surrounding the pending sale of T-Mobile USA to AT&T are the potential for rate increases for current T-Mobile customers and the near-duopoly that would exist in the aftermath of the sale. In a new interview with USA Today, the Death Star’s CEO attempted to assuage worries on both fronts. [More]
At Least One FCC Commissioner Thinks AT&T/T-Mobile Deal Won't Be A Cakewalk
By 4.1.11
With the pending $39 billion sale of T-Mobile to AT&T heading toward review by the various regulatory bodies involved, there is at least one senior FCC commissioner who thinks it might not be so easy for the deal to go down. Of course, he was the one commissioner who voted against the NBC/Comcast deal. [More]
