Consumers Union is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.
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The Facts About AT&T/T-Mobile Merger
From a consumer standpoint, it’s hard to see much of anything to like about AT&T’s proposed purchase of T-Mobile. The $39 billion mega merger would create the country’s largest wireless company, which along with Verizon – the other big national player in wireless – would control nearly 80 percent of the U.S. marketplace. Consumers Union Continue Reading
Categories: Internet, Phone
Tags: AT&T, competition, Consumer, Droid, early termination fees, Federal Communications Commission, Internet, iPhone, Regulation, truth in billing, verizon, wireless
Wireless Device Freedom
What is wireless device freedom and what does it mean for consumers?
Categories: Internet, Phone
Tags: AT&T, Bill Shock, competition, Consumer, Droid, early termination fees, Federal Communications Commission, iPhone, truth in billing, verizon, wireless
What is Network Neutrality?
What is network neutrality and what does it mean to consumers?
Categories: Cable & Satellite, Internet, TV & Radio
Tags: Broadband, Comcast, competition, Consumer, Federal Communications Commission, Internet, ISP, Network Neutrality, Regulation, verizon, wireless
Consumers Union writes AT&T, Verizon, FCC about changes in wireless plans, presses companies to step up effort to notify consumers
WASHINGTON — January 26, 2011 — Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, today wrote the chief executives of AT&T and Verizon and the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the companies’ recent changes to their wireless plans and the need to alert consumers. AT&T has made extensive changes to its text messaging plans and upgrade discount program, while Verizon has ended its upgrade discount program.
Categories: Internet, Phone
Tags: AT&T, Consumer, Droid, iPhone, truth in billing, verizon, wireless
Consumers Union Urges Crackdown on Cell Phone “Bill Shock” in FCC Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 10, 2011 — Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, today joined other public interest groups in filing joint comments at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of a crackdown on cell phone “bill shock” — the problem when people get hit with unexpected charges on their wireless bills.
Categories: Internet, Phone
Tags: AT&T, Bill Shock, Consumer, truth in billing, verizon, wireless
Verizon Wireless Refunds for Unauthorized Charges Don’t Solve Problem
This weekend Verizon Wireless fessed up to billing 15 million of its customers for data services they didn’t use. The admission came amid an FCC investigation of the deceptive charges. We are glad Verizon has finally admitted to slipping these sneaky charges into the bills of millions of consumers for services they did not ask for, authorize, or inadvertently accessed, but we are far from satisfied with the solution offered by Verizon.
Categories: Phone
Tags: competition, Federal Communications Commission, truth in billing, verizon, wireless
Verizon-Google Proposal for Web Traffic: Statement by Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America
August 9th, 2010; WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, and Consumer Federation of America today expressed serious concerns about a proposed arrangement by Verizon and Google to handle web traffic. Consumer groups have advocated for “net neutrality” rules to maintain an open Internet where consumers can choose web content and applications without restrictions imposed by their Internet service providers.
Categories: Internet
Tags: Broadband, Google, National Broadband Plan, Network Neutrality, Regulation, verizon
FCC Seeks Solutions for Wireless “Bill Shock”
The Federal Communications Commission wants to cut down on “bill shock,” the unpleasant phenomenon consumers experience when they get unexpectedly get a huge wireless phone bill.
Categories: Phone
Tags: Federal Communications Commission, truth in billing, verizon, wireless
FCC Needs To Call Verizon on its Non-Answers About its Doubling of Early Termination Penalties
A few weeks back the Federal Communications Commission asked Verizon Wireless to explain its sudden move to double early termination penalties for its high end phones from $175 to $350, including its popular new Droid model.
Verizon has now sent a response to the FCC – well, sort of a response, actually.
Categories: Internet, Phone
Tags: Droid, early termination fees, Federal Communications Commission, iPhone, verizon
Verizon to Double Early Termination Fees: Statement by Consumers Union
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 4, 2009 (WASHINGTON, DC) Verizon, the nation’s largest wireless phone service provider, is doubling its early termination fee to $350 for advanced devices such as smartphones. Joel Kelsey, policy analyst for Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, said Verizon’s move makes it harder for customers to shop around for phones and service plans.
Categories: Internet, Phone
Tags: competition, Droid, early termination fees, iPhone, verizon, wireless
