BUCKS WATCH
Are the (New) AT&T Bundles Worth It? - With the ink on the SBC-AT&T merger barely dry, the company (now known only as AT&T) has launched its first post-merger consumer push. Last week, the company announced that pre-SBC AT&T residential long distance subscribers in SBC's 13-state local calling area can now save by bundling broadband Internet, satellite television, and wireless service on to one bill. According to the company, the bundling deals include:
- SBC Yahoo! DSL Express (up to 1.5Mbps) for $16.99 a month for six months, or SBC Yahoo! DSL Pro (1.5 — 3.0 Mbps) for $21.99 a month for six months. (When ordered online or with qualifying services. Other monthly charges apply.)
- Monthly discount of $4 with the purchase of America's Top 120 for $42.99 from SBC | DISH Network with qualifying services from AT&T companies.
- Customers who add a Cingular Wireless plan, starting at $39.99 a month, or combine their Cingular Wireless bill with AT&T, may receive a monthly discount of $5. (Other monthly charges apply.)
Now for the fine print. First, the bundle discounts are available to qualified residential customers who have a local access line AND qualifying calling options such as Caller ID from SBC companies, PLUS long distance service from the former AT&T. Second, this promotional offer ends January 31, 2006. Third, to get the discounts on DSL and DISH Network, customers must subscriber to BOTH services. To get the Cingular discount, customers must subscribe to SBC local service, AT&T long distance service, SBC Yahoo! DSL, SBC|DISH Network television service, AND Cingular Wireless service. That sounds like an awful lot of work to go to in order to get $4 off television service and $5 off wireless service. In addition, having a stand-alone long distance carrier does not make sense for many consumers, as unused wireless airtime minutes can be used to make long distance calls (assuming long distance is included). Prepaid phone cards are likely to be a better deal as well, especially for light long distance callers. As with most bundled plans, the new AT&T bundles will likely only save the heaviest telephone users money in the long run.
TRAC AND YOU
Leaving Town Leaves Cingular Customer in the Lurch - We received the following e-mail in the TRAC e-mail inbox recently:
"We subscribed to AT&T on a two year contract in Leesburg, Florida in November 2004. At the time we told them we would be moving to Ohio in the future and were assured we could continue the service with a new number there. No extra cost, no problems with service. After the Cingular merger, we inquired again and were assured again. After the move, our service was poor at best with dropped calls constantly and at times in our home we were on "roaming." In addition, we could get no new local number without another two-year contract and purchasing another phone. Our other option was to pay the early termination fee. For seven months we could barely use our phone and especially could not call our cell from our home phone without paying for long distance. A lousy deal. Now that we have completed our contract, we are canceling with Cingular, never to use them again!"
Thanks for the e-mail. It seems odd that Cingular would require a new contract and the purchase of a new handset when you moved. This wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve heard customer service horror stories from Cingular customers, especially former AT&T Wireless subscribers, however. According to Cingular’s website, subscribers who move to another city can dial *RELO (*7356) from their wireless phone or 1-800-826-7356 from any other phone for assistance with getting their account information changed.
VOIP WATCH
Google Talk Takes On Skype – Many consumers are familiar with the awesome power of Google as an Internet search engine. However, the company has recently been taking tentative forays into other communications arenas. Notably, in August the company launched its Google Talk service which combines an instant messaging client with free PC-to-PC voice calls, a feature which puts it in direct competition with Skype, the market leader in PC-to-PC calling, and well as MSN and Yahoo!. Unlike Skype, Google Talk does not currently feature PC-to-PSTN (landline or wireless phone) calling. Google does plan to roll out such a service in the near future, however. Another disadvantage for many consumers is the continued reliance of Google Talk on a PC-connected microphone and speakers (or headset). In addition the service is currently limited to Gmail account holders. Instructions on how consumers can get an invitation code to Gmail texted to their wireless phones are available by clicking here. Still, the service is free to use and multiple reviewers of the application have noted that call quality is flawless. For users comfortable with the technology who don’t mind being tethered to their PC’s (or at least being forced to stay in range of a Bluetooth headset), Google Talk is a good, free alternative to long distance phone calls. While we still think that Skype offers better features and a more established brand in the VoIP calling arena, Google Talk is poised to seriously challenge the market leader. For more information on Google Talk, click here or visit www.google.com/talk.
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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