Last year, the federal government finally eliminated a charge to DSL consumers that subsidized phone service in underdeveloped rural areas. Good. It was a silly, antiquated fee that has long since been irrelevant.
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Verizon Drops Baseless DSL Fee After FCC Pressure
By 8.30.06
Nine days after installing a new “supplier surcharge” fee to essentially replace one government regulators dropped, Verizon DSL decided to stop levying the fee. Verizon came under heat from customers and received a letter from the FCC asking it to explain its actions. BellSouth, which also received a FCC letter, announced it would drop a similar charge.
Christian Radio Goes Porn
By 8.1.06
Listeners to Kingsburg, California based radio station KFYE were shocked a week ago when their favorite Christian radio station effortlessly switched between playing Carmen’s seminal Christian rap hit ‘Who’s In Da House? (Jay Cee!)’ to muculousy shlorking and the synchronized moans of vaginal pumping after the midnight changeover. KFYE FM 106.3 had just gone porn radio.
FCC Investigates Calls From a Stranger
By 7.22.06
The second of two blows dealt this week to the Miami telemarketers autodialing people’s cellphones and trying to scam them. It seems the FCC is actually looking into the matter. All it took was a few months, Verizon to file an injunction, and a few gajillion consumer complaints, like those by reader Chris.
Mice On A Plane
By 7.15.06
The next time you fly American Airline’s friendly skies, you might want to bring a mouse trap.
The News: Now, 100% Dolphin Safe!
By 6.6.06
• Consumer Reports says that due to high levels of mercury, pregnant women should not eat tuna. Plus, those dolphin bits can get stuck in the baby’s umbilical cord. [CT]
The News: All The Fat That’s Fit To Print
By 5.26.06
• Hasbro cancels plans for line of racy dolls based around ‘Pussycat Dolls,’ switches focus to My First Little Lolita rollout. [NYT]
What Is The Federal Universal Service Fund?
By 4.12.06
After Andrew S. Fischer discovered that a whopping 40% of his company’s telephone bill was comprised of various taxes and service charges, he decided to suss out one of the most egregious contributors: the mysterious Federal Universal Service Fund.
