TRAC Urges FCC to End Telecom "Bait and Switch" Tactics - TRAC filed comments with the FCC Tuesday urging the commission to end the "bait and switch" tactics of many telecommunications carriers who advertise a low monthly fee for their local and long distance plans, only to hit consumers with extra fees, taxes, and surcharges that can add 20% or more to consumers' monthly phone bills. "The current system can be likened to buying a gallon of milk for 99¢ only to be told at the checkout counter that you must pay an additional 10¢ 'homogenization fee' and an extra 25¢ 'FDA compliance surcharge,'" said TRAC counsel Dirck Hargraves. TRAC asked the FCC to adopt rules that would require carriers to include such line items fees in the monthly cost that they advertise to consumers. For more information on TRAC's filing, click here(iii).
TRAC Calls on FCC to Preserve Competition in Residential Telephone Market - In a letter to FCC chairman Michael Powell Thursday, TRAC called on the Commission to preserve competition and consumer choice by halting AT&T's de facto withdrawal from the residential local and long distance telephone market. TRAC asked the Commission to compel AT&T to prove that its decision to stop marketing its local and long-distance services does not place it in violation of Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934 and FCC regulations. "AT&T's de facto withdrawal from the residential telephone market is troubling at a time when the company is coming under increased regulatory scrutiny," said TRAC counsel Dirck Hargraves. "Unfortunately it appears that the company is trying to use its customers and employees as pawns in a regulatory chess match." To read TRAC's letter to Chairman Powell, click here(iv).
Take Action to Support TRAC - Consumers can support TRAC's fight to ensure truth-in-billing and preserve competition in the residential telephone market. You can tell the FCC that you support TRAC's position on truth-in-billing by clicking here(v) to file comments (remember to reference proceeding 98-170). To tell the FCC that you agree with TRAC's letter and want to preserve competition in the residential telephone market, e-mail FCC chairman Michael Powell by clicking here(vi).
WIRELESS WATCH
Better Coverage Tops Readers' Wireless "Wish Lists" - Last week, we asked TRACNotes readers to write in with their thoughts on what they would like to see most from their wireless phone service. The most common wish was for better coverage with fewer dropped calls. "Because we live in a rural state and have a large expanse of desert south of Boise, Idaho, we cannot get any service when traveling in this area. We spend a lot of our recreating time in these areas and find it very frustrating when we cannot even get roaming service," wrote one reader. Several readers also asked for automatic rollover of unused minutes to the next month. "Some months you just need more time [because of] deaths in the family, someone getting married, etc," wrote one respondent. Currently, only Cingular offers automatic rollover on most of its plans. Other requests on readers' wish lists included automatic crediting of dropped calls (without having to call customer service), easier-to-read bills, nationwide service with no roaming charges ("When the plan says nationwide, let it be nationwide!" wrote one reader.), and better customer service.
TRAC IN THE NEWS
Beware of "Legitimate-sounding" Fees Says TRAC in Essence Magazine - TRAC was featured in the August issue of Essence magazine warning consumers about bogus fees being charged by many telecommunications carriers. "There are fees that are legitimate, and then there are legitimate-sounding fees, which are just a way for carriers to make money," said John Breyault, TRAC research associate. Pick up the August issue of Essence to read the full story.
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
What do you think? Got a tip you want to share? Nominate your "Scam of the Week" and your "Tip of the Week" - If we select your submission, we'll give you a one-year free membership in TRAC and acknowledge your contribution by name in TRACNotes. Send an e-mail to trac@trac.org to submit your ideas!
©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"
Endnotes
