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Seedersandleechers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:14 PM
Original message
Cellphone companies will warn customers as plans approach limit
Source: Kansas City Star via AP

NEW YORK | Cellphone companies pledged Monday to warn subscribers before they go over their monthly limits for calling minutes, text messages and data use.

The pledge comes in response to a threat of regulation by the Federal Communications Commission, which wants to curb nasty surprises in the monthly bills of wireless subscribers.

CTIA-The Wireless Association, a trade group representing the major cellphone companies, said it also is promising to warn subscribers that they are paying roaming fees when they travel abroad.

The warnings will arrive as text messages, and subscribers won’t need to sign up for them — they’ll arrive automatically. CTIA said its members would have warnings in place on at least half their plans in a year and all of them in two years.



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/17/3213739/cellphone-companies-will-warn.html



How nice the CTIA offers to regulate themselves. See that proves it -big companies don't need no stinking regulations as they can do it themselves.
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msongs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:19 PM
Response to Original message
1. great now they can cut your minutes AND jack up your rates. nt
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sam11111 Donating Member (638 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:24 PM
Response to Original message
2. free smartphone web access in europe?( PS kerala gives all schkids a free computer)
Edited on Tue Oct-18-11 12:29 PM by sam11111
I recall such free access in europe... for laptops some yrs back.
-------------
Now back to India again. Confusing I know--
(BTW Kerala is a state in India, SW coast, very LW)
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canoeist52 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:27 PM
Response to Original message
3. Pledged? Like....in writing?
please.
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Seedersandleechers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:53 PM
Response to Original message
4. Two years to implement?

Snip: "The warnings will arrive as text messages, and subscribers won’t need to sign up for them — they’ll arrive automatically. CTIA said its members would have warnings in place on at least half their plans in a year and all of them in two years."


Now why would it take two years to implement? Must be some highly specialized, highly technical maneuver on their end.
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bloomington-lib Donating Member (513 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:58 PM
Response to Original message
5. I'm already getting mine but I still get pissed
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Jazzgirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 12:59 PM
Response to Original message
6. I got one from AT&T this morning.
I have a Blackberry at work and an iPhone for personal use. The work address goes with the BB. When I looked in the subject line the phone number displayed wasn't even close to either of mine. I'm guessing maybe it was a test message? If so, someone is going to be sorely disappointed with their next bill!
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Fuddnik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 01:14 PM
Response to Original message
7. I've got unlimited everything for $45 per month. No contract.
Through Straight Talk. I've had them for a few years with no problems.

I had to buy my Samsung Galaxy Precedent for $149. It does everything you need. Operates on Android. This particular phone operates on the Sprint Network. My Nokia operated on At&T.

Basic service, 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30 meg of data can be had for $30 per month, and they're on the Verizon Network. Smartphones have to be on the unlimited $45 plan.

Oh, and there's no contract.

The major carriers are robbing people with impunity.
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Honeycombe8 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 01:28 PM
Response to Reply #7
9. You are wise, Grasshopper. I have never had a cellphone contract, and never will.
I don't have internet on my phone because I don't need it. If and when I need that, though, I will get an unlimited plan, and no contract. That is the ONLY way to go. No surprises.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #7
11. How much do you end up paying each month once you add on tax and fees?
I am interested, but know that the price they quote isn't actually the price you usually end up paying. thanks.
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RamboLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-19-11 09:40 AM
Response to Reply #7
13. Where the huge charges are being racked up is using outside US
An aide worker in Haiti texting & video after quake $30,000+.

2 deaf brothers in Canada texting & downloading videos $200,000. Bill adjusted to $2,500 & sister given 6 months to pay.

Thieves!
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Honeycombe8 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 01:25 PM
Response to Original message
8. Life Lesson #3: Never, but NEVER, buy anything where the price you pay can change....
ESPECIALLY if you have to rely on the payEE to be the one to determine the amount of payment.

It is better to pay what you think is a higher, but FIXED, amount that doesn't change, than to agree on an amount that is dependent on something and could change, at the will and determination of the one you pay.

This is true with mortgages, cellphones, anything and everything.
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ProSense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 02:15 PM
Response to Original message
10. More on the alerts from the WH
Celebrating an Innovative Approach to Consumer Protection

Earlier today, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced an agreement with CTIA-The Wireless Association under which users of cell phones, smart phones, and other wireless devices will receive automatic alerts before triggering overage charges for exceeding usage caps. We’ve all read about consumers who were surprised to receive bills in the hundreds or thousands of dollars after they or their family members unknowingly exceeded their limits. The FCC and others heard the difficulty consumers were having in recalling the details of their plans or tracking their wireless usage.

“Far too many Americans know what it’s like to open up their cell-phone bill and be shocked by hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unexpected fees and charges," said President Barack Obama. "But we can put an end to that with a simple step: an alert warning consumers that they’re about to hit their limit before fees and charges add up. Our phones shouldn’t cost us more than the monthly rent or mortgage. So I appreciate the mobile phone companies’ willingness to work with my Administration and join us in our overall and ongoing efforts to protect American consumers by making sure financial transactions are fair, honest and transparent.”

Equally impressive is how the parties reached agreement. The FCC led a collaborative effort to strengthen the wireless industry’s voluntary code of conduct and will hold it accountable through a website to be designed with input from stakeholders, including Consumers Union.

It is one more example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to smart disclosure – a low-cost, high-impact regulatory tool featured in the National Action Plan for Open Government the President announced last month – and the use of multi-stakeholder collaboration as noted in a recent OECD agreement on Internet Policymaking Principles.

Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of consumer protections that harness the power and potential of technology, data, and innovation. From the model privacy notice for personal health records vendors, to a mobile app that accesses food, drug, auto, and product recalls data, to the forthcoming final opportunity to join over 20,000 people that have already “crowd sourced” feedback on a new mortgage disclosure form that should help Americans pick the product that is right for you.

Congratulations to CTIA-The Wireless Association and its members, the FCC, Consumers Union, and other stakeholders for working together to provide this important service that will help educate consumers and empower them to save money.


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Vidar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-18-11 09:28 PM
Response to Original message
12. Unlimited is the only way to go. Everything else winds up costing you double.
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RamboLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-19-11 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #12
14. Does it cover you outside US?
Make sure of the fine print.
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