Welcome to the first edition of TRAC’s new weekly update, TRACNotes. This is distributed to TRAC members and those who have signed up on the TRAC website "Newscenter." If you do not want to receive TRACNotes, simply click here(trac@trac.org) and let us know.You won’t receive these in the future.We hope you choose to remain a part of our network, and that you find TRACNotes helpful. Our goal is to provide you useful information about what is happening in the telecommunications marketplace for consumers and to keep you up to date on TRAC’s policy advocacy. If you like what your see, please consider becoming a member of TRAC by clicking here.(http://trac.org/register/member.vtml) BUCK$ WATCH
10-10-220 Rate Hike - Users of Telecom USA/MCIWorldcom's 10-10-220 service should take note of a major rate hike that took effect November 1. Whereas 10-10-220 was charging 99¢ for the first 20 minutes and 7¢ per minute after 20, the new rate is 99¢ for the first 15 minutes and 15¢ per minute after that. Additional information on 10-10 dial around services is on the TeleTips Dial Around Comparison Chart, available by clicking here.(http://trac.org/publications/)
Local Number Portability is Coming! - November 24, 2003 marks one of the most significant days in recent history for telecommunications consumers. On that day, FCC rules mandating "wireless local number portability" take effect. What this means is that consumers will be able to take their phone numbers with them when they switch wireless carriers. Consumers can expect deep discounts and "gimmies" such as free phones and unlimited minutes as wireless services compete to keep existing customers and gain new ones. Click here for important consumer information regarding wireless local number portability.(http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/checklist.html)
Money Saver Site of the Week - www.prepaidcellphoneguide.com - Pre-paid wireless phones are a great option for people who want to carry a wireless phone for an emergency, who want to get a wireless phone to use on vacation, or parents who want their kids to stay in touch without running up a bill. This site is a good introduction to the world of pre-paid wireless with information on rate plans and service choices.
WASHINGTON WATCH
Just say NO to Internet Access Tax! - We continue to seek out organizations to partner with in our efforts to support S.150, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act. This week, the Gray Panthers, a seniors organization, joined our efforts and will link to our website. Our "Just Say No to Taxes on our Internet Access" website has generated over 750 faxes to the Senate urging Senators to support this important legislation. The ITNA will help ensure that low and fixed income consumers continue to have affordable access to online resources by making permanent the 1998 moratorium on state and local taxation of Internet access. If you haven't done so already, please take action by sending a free fax to your Senator at www.trac.org/nointernettax!
Redlining Broadband for Condo and Apartment Dwellers? - On November 18, TRAC joined a broad coalition of consumer, minority, and disability advocacy groups to urge the FCC to avoid drawing a "red line" around multi-family dwelling units when it comes to encouraging the deployment of broadband. TRAC's filing was supported by the Alliance for Public Technology, the American Association of People with Disabilities, Community Action Partnership, Deafness Research Foundation, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the MAAC Project (San Diego), NAACP (Alexandria, VA branch), National Black Chamber of Commerce, National Campaign for Hearing Health, and the World Institute on Disability.
TRAC and CWA Team Up to Protect 411 - On November 14, TRAC and the Communications Workers of America jointly authored a letter to Commissioner Robert Nelson, Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Telecommunications Committee urging the committee to oppose any proposal which would require presubscription for intrastate directory assistance (DA or "411") services. TRAC and CWA believe that such requirements will result in higher prices for basic telephone service to recover the hundreds of millions of dollars it will cost incumbent carriers to upgrade and re-program their switches and operating support systems and to expand their customer service operations to accommodate DA presubscription. Click here to read the full press release.(http://trac.org/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=20120)
TRAC IN THE NEWS
Anti-Spam Interview with VoA - TRAC's "Ban the Spam" campaign (www.banthespam.org) got some added media exposure when John Breyault, TRAC Research Associate, was interviewed by Voice of America (VoA) for a story on consumer reactions to spam. Breyault read several of the stories sent in to the banthespam.org site by concerned consumers on the air. VoA programs are aired globally in 55 languages to an audience of some 94 million people. Click here to access the interview in streaming audio and MP3 format.(http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=88E59504-F300-4293-A161E600359F1CB3)
RESOURCES
FCC Main Page: http://ww.fcc.gov
FCC Complaint Form - http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm
List of State Regulatory Commissions: http://www.naruc.org/resources/state.shtml
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