TRACNotes
Vol. 2 # 34 --
August 27, 2004
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Comparing Push-to-Talk Walkie-Talkie Services - One of the most popular new features for wireless users is push-to-talk walkie-talkie service. The feature, first pioneered by Nextel and aimed at business users, is becoming increasingly popular among mainstream wireless users. Consequently, many of the nation's leading wireless carriers are rolling out push-to-talk service. It is important to keep in mind that push-to-talk services cannot be used between carriers. Both the sender and receiver of the call must be subscribed to the push-to-talk service as well. Nextel users can talk to other Nextel users, but not to Verizon users, for example. However, push-to-talk messages usually do not count against monthly airtime limits. Are all of these services created equal? Take a look at the following chart to find out.
| Company | Service Name | Monthly Price | Handsets Available |
| ALLTEL | Touch2Talk | $5 for 100 minutes (50 minutes of group calling). $10 for 500 minutes (100 minutes of group calling). $20 for unlimited Touch2Talk service. Minutes used beyond the monthly limit cost 15ยข per minute. Touch2Talk service is available as an add-on to ALLTEL Freedom plans. | Touch2Talk is currently available only with the Kyocera 3250. |
| Nextel | Direct Connect | Direct Connect service within user's local calling area is available on all rate plans. Nationwide Direct Connect is available as an add-on for $10 per month. Rate plans range from $35.99 to $199.99. | Direct Connect is available on all Nextel handsets. |
| Sprint PCS | Ready Link | Unlimited push-to-talk service available for $10-$25 (depending on multimedia services included) per month as an add-on to monthly calling plan fees. Sprint PCS nationwide Free & Clear Plans priced from $35 for 300 anytime minutes to $115 for 2,500 anytime minutes. | Currently, four Sprint PCS handsets are equipped for Ready Link service (Sanyo RL4920, RL7300, PM8200, & VM4500). |
| Verizon Wireless | Push to Talk | The fee for plans with unlimited Push to Talk service ranges from $59.99 for 400 airtime minutes to $319.99 for 6,000 minutes on America's Choice with Push to Talk plans. | Verizon Push to Talk service is currently available only on one handset, the Motorola V60p. |
SCAM WATCH
Tips for Protecting Your Privacy on Cordless Phones - Cordless phones have grown increasingly popular over the past decade, often replacing "old-fashioned" corded phones altogether in many houses. While it's a good idea to keep a corded phone in the house for use during electrical outages (they'll work even if the power is out), there's another factor to keep in mind when using a cordless phone: privacy. Conversations on older analog cordless phones may be picked up on other radio devices such as baby monitors, walkie-talkies, or other cordless phones. There are also crooks who make it a habit to listen in on conversations to try and gain valuable personal information such as credit card and checking account numbers or social security numbers. When shopping for a cordless phone, consumers should look for phones that operate in the higher frequency ranges (2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz, for example) and which utilize digital spread spectrum technology. Another useful security technology for cordless phones is digital security codes. This feature sets a special code that allows the handset and base station to communicate securely. The phone should automatically set a new code every time the handset is used. Frequency hopping (also known as "channel hopping") is another popular security feature. This feature causes the frequency used to communicate between the handset and the base station to switch periodically during a conversation, increasing security even further. Consumers should be aware, however, that no phone conversation is ever 100% secure. Care should be taken whenever sensitive personal information is given over the phone.
WIRELESS WATCH
Wireless Phone Storm Preparedness Tips - As Hurricane Charley vividly pointed out earlier this month, hurricanes and other severe storms can knock out electricity and other vital services for long periods of time. To help keep the lines of wireless communication open during these types of events, TRAC has the following tips:
- Store your phone and extra batteries in a plastic bag before the storm hits. In the event of water damage, your phone may not work.
- Charge all batteries prior to the storm arriving. Since electricity may be out for several days or more, it's important to have as much backup power available as possible since a recharge may not be possible for some time. Having a car A/C adapter for your phone is also a good idea.
- Turn your phone off when it's not in use. Wireless phones continue to use battery life even when they're not in use (standby mode). Only turn on your phone to make outgoing calls or if you are expecting an incoming call.
- Don't use advanced features. Advanced features such as text-messaging, cameras, and web surfing quickly eat up battery life. Save your batteries for calling only.
- Preload emergency contact information into your phone. Make sure to keep numbers for family and friends in your wireless phonebook. It's also a good idea to load the numbers for local emergency service organizations, your insurance company, and the Red Cross, as well as non-emergency numbers for your local fire and police departments.
TRAC IN THE NEWS
Nextel and Verizon Wireless Have Lowest Churn Rates Say TRAC - TRAC was recently quoted by the Fredericksburg, Virginia Free Lance-Star in an article on saving on wireless phones costs. "In 2003, Nextel and Verizon had the lowest percent of customers who left the company," noted the article, quoting an earlier story in TRACNotes. Click here(iii) to access the full article.
Reminder: TRAC Is Still Accepting Your Bills - We are still accepting bills from readers for review in an upcoming edition of TRACNotes. Send us copies of your local and long distance telephone, wireless, video, and Internet service bills. If we choose your bill you'll receive free copies of the TeleTips Residential Long Distance Comparison Chart and the TeleTips Consumer Guide to Telephone Service Over the Internet. Please be sure to include your phone number and address so we can better research what's available in your area. We will not print any personal information except the city and state in which you are located. We cannot return bills submitted, so please do not send original copies of your bills. Submissions may be e-mailed to trac@trac.org, faxed to (202) 263-2962, or mailed to the following address:
TRAC
P.O. Box 27279
Washington, DC 20005
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"
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