TRACNotes
Vol. 2 # 22 --
June 4, 2004
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BUCKS WATCH
Big Rate Increases in Store for MCI Long Distance Subscribers - Effective July 1, the following rate increases will take effect for MCI long distance subscribers (click here(iii) for additional information): | State-to-State Rate Plans | Rate Change |
| MCI Anytime 200, MCI Anytime 200 Instate, MCI Anytime Advantage Savings Option, MCI Anytime Classic, MCI All Week, MCI Weekends, MCI Everyday, MCI Everyday Plus, MCI Anytime 300, MCI Anytime 300 Instate, MCI Everyday Advantage, MCI One Advantage, MCI Select 200 Advantage Option, MCI Select 200 Instate/Interstate Options, MCI Select 300 Advantage Option, MCI Select Savings 300 Instate, MCI Select Savings 300 Interstate | Recurring monthly plan fee will increase by $1.00. |
| MCI Nationwide Unlimited Evenings | Recurring monthly plan fee will increase by $2.00. |
| International Rate Plans | Rate Change |
| International Calling Plan Changes: MCI Anytime Worldwide, MCI International Weekends - Value Option, MCI International Plus - Value Option, Neighborhood Worldwide, WorldCom International Plus - Value Option | Recurring monthly plan fee will increase by $1.00. |
Subscribers to the affected plans may want to compare plans that have a no monthly fee or a low minimum usage ($5 or less per month). Plans with monthly recurring fees tend to be costly in the long run since the fee is charged whether the service is used or not. Long distance users have many choices when it comes to choosing a long distance calling plan. TRAC's new TeleTips Residential Long Distance Comparison Chart is a great tool for consumers trying to navigate the often-bewildering array of plans available. All of TRAC's TeleTips charts are available for purchase on TRAC's website by clicking here(iv).
WIRELESS WATCH
Relief Available for New York Wireless Subscribers with Bad Service - Wireless phone subscribers in New York who are unable to get service in their homes may be able to escape their wireless contract without paying an early termination fee. According to Dr. Douglas Elfner, Director of Utility Intervention at the New York Consumer Protection Board (CPB), "we have received approximately one dozen complaints in the last year [2003] from consumers who purchased wireless telephone service, found out later that they could not receive any signal whatsoever from their home, but were informed by the company that they had to pay an early termination fee. Fortunately, the CPB's Consumer Assistance Unit (CAU) was able to help by convincing the companies to waive termination fees in those instances." By filing a complaint with the CPB, consumers can take advantage of the relationship that the CPB has with the carriers to more effectively resolve their issues. Consumers should be advised, however, that this should be considered a last step in the process of resolving complaints, not the first. According to the CPB, consumers should be sure they have made a sincere effort to settle their complaint directly with the company, including contacting the owner, manager, or someone else in a position of authority. Complaints already the subject of a lawsuit or other legal process are not handled by the CPB. This is also not a quick process. According to a CPB spokesman, the investigation and resolution process can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Click here(v) for more information or to file a complaint.
California Telecom Bill of Rights Could Help Consumers - The approval by the California Public Utility Commission of the Telecommunications Bill of Rights on May 27 may be the first step in giving wireless consumers more protections from overcharging, poor service quality, and restrictive service contracts. Under the terms of the new rules, which are scheduled to take effect within 180 days barring further legal challenges, wireless carriers in California will have to post notifications of any changes to their tariffs on the Internet in much the same way that long distance carriers do now. Additionally, California consumers will have the right to cancel their service within the first thirty days after new service is initiated without being charged an early termination fee. Also, carriers will be required to notify subscribers at least twenty-five days in advance of any change to the subscribers' service agreements which result in higher rates or charges or more restrictive terms or conditions and give consumers the option to opt out of their contracts within thirty days without penalty. For more information on the California ruling, click here(vi).
INTERESTING LINKS
FCC Main Page - http://www.fcc.gov
FCC Complaint Form - http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm
List of State Regulatory Commissions - http://www.naruc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=15
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©2004 Telecommunications Research and Action Center. TRAC grants unlimited rights to reproduce TRACNotes or any information contained in it provided attribution is given as follows: "Source:Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org"
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