WIRELESS WATCH
Teens Continue To Be "Early Adopters" of Wireless Technologies - Teenager continue to be among the most active users of wireless applications such as text messaging, gaming, and downloadable ringtones, according to a new study from International Data Corp., a consulting firm. The study, entitled the U.S. Youth and Young Adult Wireless Subscriber 2004-2008 Forecast, states that 40% of 15-19 year olds in the U.S. are wireless subscribers. "Young people have played a central role in the early adoption and mass-market acceptance of wireless data capabilities," says the study. "[Teens] are increasingly helping to drive adoption and usage of new applications such as picture and video messaging." Additionally, teens are persuading their parents to adopt new wireless technologies and services. While these advanced services may be "cool," TRAC recommends that parents of these teen wireless users keep their eyes on the bottom line. Downloadable ringtones, graphics, and games do not come cheap. For example, T-Mobile's CallerTunes ringtones cost $1.99 per download. Games from Cingular cost $2.99 oer download. Text messaging can also quickly add up, as messages beyond the monthly limit can cost 5ยข per message or more, depending on the carrier. Parents should be sure to discuss limits on downloads and text messaging with their kids in order to avoid getting an expensive bill at the end of the month. For more information on the IDC study, click herei.
53% of Wireless Users Opposed to Wireless Number Directory - The proposed wireless telephone number directory continues be unpopular with consumers, according to a study released this week by TNS Telecoms, a research firm. 53% of wireless users surveyed said that they are against the establishment of a wireless 411 service and 56% said that they would opt against publishing their mobile numbers if and when a directory becomes a reality. With as much as $2 billion in revenues potentially at stake, most of the nations' wireless carriers are in favor of the directory. Among major service providers, only Verizon Wireless has declared that they would opt out of a national directory. "It's a dumb idea," said Denny Strigi, Verizon Wireless head, earlier this year. According to the wireless directory proposal currently before Congress, such a service would be opt-in only, with no fee to opt in or out. Contact information service provider Qsent will exclusively house the directory data, which cannot be sold or accessed for any other purpose. "Wireless phones are the last refuge from unwanted telemarketing calls," said TRAC Research Associate John Breyault. "Consumers have spoken and said that a wireless 411 directory is not a good idea. Congress should listen to their opinion." For more information on the TNS study, click hereii . For additional information on the wireless 411 directory, click hereiii.
VOIP WATCH
RNK's "VoIP For Life" Very Risky for Consumers - Hot on the heels of SunRocket's $199 "VoIP for a year" offer comes New England-based RNK Telecom's "Phone for Life" plan. For a one-time fee of $999, RNK will provide a VoIP line, telephone, phone number, full feature set, and unlimited outbound and inbound calling. RNK provides 911 and 411 services, and can port existing numbers to its VoIP service. The company's residential and business "Phone for Life" plans will initially be available in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and come with a 60-day money back guarantee. What this basically means is you pay them now. They provide you service, and as long as they keep getting new customers they keep the cash flowing and the doors open, and thus you get the service. Since there is no regulation of VoIP presently allowed by the states, there is no requirement that your unused payment (which in reality is a credit for future services) is placed in a surety or escrow, thus insuring that if the company goes out of business, your money, or some part, is returned. Another risk is that VOIP prices may continue to come down, making RNK's deal less attractive. At their current rates, $999 is approximately equal to 40 months of service with a more reputable VoIP carrier such as Vonage. TRAC recommends that consumers interested in VoIP avoid RNK and stick with monthly plans from more well-known VoIP providers such as Vonage and AT&T. For more information on RNK's new plan, click hereiv. TRAC's Consumers Guide to Telephone Service Over the Internet is a great way for consumers to compare VoIP service from a number of reputable companies. It is available for purchase on TRAC's website (www.trac.org/publications) for $3.00 ($4.00 for hard copy).
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!
TRACNotes 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 herev 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 with 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 you see, please consider becoming a member of TRAC by clicking herevi.
©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
