How To Sign Up For AT&T’s “Naked DSL” - Until recently, consumers who wanted to buy DSL broadband service from AT&T without bundled local telephone service (known as “naked” DSL) didn’t save much money versus buying DSL as part of the bundle. Thanks to conditions placed by the FCC on AT&T’s merger agreement with BellSouth, AT&T was forced to offer $10 unbundled DSL, though it was very hard for consumers to find information about the deal and sign up. The service was also slow, 768 Kbps downstream and 128 Kbps upstream, versus traditional DSL’s 3-6 Mbps downstream speeds. Over the past two months, AT&T has begun offering two new cheap “naked” DSL package in its 22-state service area. The “Express” plan offers 1.5 Mbps down/768 Kbps up speeds for $23.99 per month. The “Pro” plan offers 3.0 Mbps down/1.5 Mbps up for $28.99 per month. What’s more, since telephone service is not required, consumers don’t have to pay the myriad taxes and fees associated with a home phone line in addition to the monthly service charge for DSL and phone service. While AT&T doesn’t heavily advertise the two new plans, thanks to a tip from CNET.com, we have instructions on how consumers can sign up:
- Call the AT&T Dry Loop department directly at 888-800-4095 (Note: This number may connect callers to the Ohio-only office. If so, ask to be connected to the office serving your area.).
- Second, ask to switch to “DSL Direct.”
- Finally if you have any problems with customer service, tell them that it is a retention offer.
When TRAC called the Dry Loop department, we were told that there is no activation fee or service contract with the plan, only a one-time fee of $49.99 to purchase the modem. If customers are unhappy with the speed of the service, AT&T they can discontinue their service without any additional charges. For consumer who want broadband service for web surfing and e-mail, but don’t need the higher speeds of traditional DSL, cable modem, or fiber-based broadband services, AT&T’s “naked” DSL could be a money-saver. Just don’t expect AT&T to make it easy to find information about the service.
Verizon Wireless To Open Its Network - If you’re a Verizon Wireless subscriber, chances are that you may be feeling a bit jealous of your friends who are with AT&T Mobility and take advantage of the iPhone. While AT&T’s exclusive agreement with Apple to market the iPhone runs through 2012, it’s conceivable that consumers on other carriers’ networks may be able to use an iPhone sooner, rather than later. This is due to Verizon’s recent announcement that will allow any wireless device, software, or application that can operate on its CDMA network to be used on the network. Currently, only devices and applications, and software approved by Verizon Wireless could be used by the company’s subscribers. Thanks to the change, however, and mobile device manufacturer who wants to market a CDMA-based phone can do so outside of Verizon’s retail network as long as Verizon Wireless can verify that the network will connect to the network. While no formal guidelines have yet to be released, Verizon says that the proposed policy could be implemented by the second half of next year. If the policy is adopted, Verizon customers could have more choices in terms of the phone and features they can use since they could decide to use non-Verizon mobile phones but still be able to use the Verizon Wireless network. So how would a Verizon Wireless subscribers potentially be able to use an iPhone? Theoretically, if AT&T wanted to sell CDMA-capable iPhones, they could do so under the proposed changes. Whether they actually will do so or not is another question. Many details have yet to be announced by Verizon Wireless. For example, the technical standards for the devices and applications that can run on its network and whether there will be any additional costs charged to customers for attaching non-Verizon devices to its network have not been released. To read more about Verizon Wireless’ announcement, click here.
The True Cost of “Free” Ringtones - Hang around a typical shopping mall for more than a few minutes this holiday season and you’re likely to hear the latest hit pop songs, coming from an unlikely sources – teens’ cell phones. So-called “polyphonic” ringtones delivering near stereo-quality renditions of most songs are quickly becoming the identifier of choice for style-conscious kids. What parents might not know until they get their monthly cell phone bills is the true cost of these digital accessories. A quick Google scan on the phrase “free ringtones” delivers more than 3.7 million hits. Many of these sites simply link users to other sites with fine print mentioning that any ringtone download automatically signs the user up for a $9.99 per month ringtone subscription plan or charge $2-$3 per ringtone downloads. Sites like Jamster.com and Ringaza.com are two of the larger sites known for offering such “deals.” What is particularly worrisome for parents is that their kids can sign up for the services simply by entering their cell phone numbers and responding to a text message they subsequently receive. There is often no credit card required since the charges are typically billed directly via the monthly wireless service bill where it’s easy to overlook among the many other fees and surcharges on a typical bill. One way for parents to avoid this potential pitfall is by calling their wireless carrier and asking them to turn off “premium” content downloads and “premium SMS” messaging. For more information, check out the excellent Red Tape Chronicles blog on MSNBC.com.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Embarq Wireless Customers Can Talk All They Want in December - Embarq, the company which took over Sprint-Nextel’s local telephone service, is now offering wireless service in most of their service areas. In an effort to say “thanks” to current customers and attract new ones, the company is offering free calling for the entire month of December (44,640 minutes, if you want to do the math). Embarq Wireless operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) on Sprint-Nextel’s wireless network. For more information on Embarq’s free December promotion, click here. (Thanks to TRACNotes John from Piney Flats, TN for the tip! Send in your Tip of the Week submissions to trac@trac.org. If we print your tip, you will receive a complimentary copy of TRAC’s TeleTips Guide to Residential Long Distance Service.)
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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