Telecom Archives | Citizens Utility Board https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/category/telecom/ Fight utility rate hikes, promote clean energy, and advocate for consumer protections in Illinois. Fri, 18 Dec 2020 20:40:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-CUB_LogoBadgeAlt-32x32.png Telecom Archives | Citizens Utility Board https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/category/telecom/ 32 32 6 reasons AT&T’s legislation should make you MAD https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/08/22/6-reasons-atts-legislation-make-mad/ Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:16:56 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10638 1) Utilities get an exemption: The legislation contains a four- to five-year exemption for key customers, such as utilities. It proves copper landlines still play a key role—and it also begs the question: If it’s so important to protect landline service for those customers, then why not for the millions of others who depend on it as their most reliable connection to vital services such as 911, home security systems and medical monitoring? 2) AT&T killed a price freeze on local phone service. In passing its legislation, AT&T eliminated a state-mandated price freeze on the Consumer’s Choice plans. These plans, which were created by CUB under a legal settlement with AT&T, were Illinois’ best local phone deals. AT&T argues that traditional phone service is getting more expensive. If that is the case, it’s because AT&T lobbied to kill this freeze. 3) Many people have few choices. AT&T says home phone service isn’t going away, “it’s actually getting better.” But people who rely on landlines have limited options. Wireless service, Internet-based phones and bloated “triple-play” packages from the cable company aren’t as easy, reliable or affordable as plain old telephone service. AT&T’s Internet phone service requires a pricey  broadband connection, and you can’t make calls during an Internet outage or a  power outage (without paying for a battery backup). AT&T’s “wireless home phone”—a traditional-looking receiver connected to the cell network—isn’t compatible with security systems and medical monitoring services. Smartphones are wonderful, but they don’t come cheap, and they need to be charged. Plus, people in rural areas and in the aftermath of disasters learn just how spotty or nonexistent cell service can be. 4) None of the alternatives are as reliable as landlines. AT&T’s 14-state wireless 911 outage earlier this year doesn’t give traditional landline customers confidence that the company can provide satisfactory alternatives. Advanced 911—which can trace the exact location of a cellphone—won’t be fully implemented in Illinois until 2020, at the earliest. For the most vulnerable phone customers, landlines don’t leave 911 dispatchers guessing. 5) AT&T was profitable under the old consumer protections. AT&T argues that it doesn’t have enough resources to offer landlines AND modernize its network—ignoring its $58 billion in profits over the last five years. The company forgets that Illinois consumers have paid for its  network many times over. Also, while AT&T argued that its legislation was about modernizing the network, nothing in the new law requires AT&T to modernize. 6) AT&T dismisses landline customers. While AT&T describes landline customers as a small percentage, this debate isn’t about percentages, it’s about people. “I’m not against cellphones,” said Carol, whose landline connects to her pacemaker/defibrillator. “But we can’t guarantee cellphones will work all the time for important devices like mine.”

The post 6 reasons AT&T’s legislation should make you MAD appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> Your landline stories https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/08/15/your-landline-stories/ Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:19:33 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10602 Over the past couple of months, CUB has been collecting your stories about why you need to keep traditional landline service an option in Illinois. Here are some of the hundreds of messages we’ve received: My landline gives me an extra feeling of security. Cellphones are great when out but landlines are best at home. Landlines are technology’s endangered species, please don’t make the landline extinct. SAVE the landline!- Christine, Chicago  I have a landline as well as a cell phone but I find the landline to be more reliable as well as easier to hear on. I am an active 74 year old but concerned about having dependable service as I continue to age and live in my own home. Please keep them available for those of us who rely on them.- Pamela, Northbrook  What makes me feel safe is the knowledge that I have landlines in every room and if I need help, the phone will work. It saved my life when I had a massive aortic hemorrhage when I called the Fire Department for help… Please do not take my landline. I am 83 years old. Thank you.-Mary, Des Plaines  My land line is the only phone I have and can afford. If it’s taken away I will be without contact. I am disabled and occasionally need medical assistance and I have to call for an ambulance. I can’t afford a cell phone and have trouble with modern technology. Please do not take away my landline.- Christopher, Chicago  When all else fails, landlines have voice clarity, and are reliable. I have one at home, and all our lines at work are landlines. They have never failed us.- Renee, Evanston I own a land line and feel it is important for those of us who are older and have had to use it more than once for calling 911. I have older friends that do not have computers or cell phones–landlines are their lifelines. I feel very strongly that ATT should not be running our lives and telling us what phone service we should or should not have. They make billions of dollars now while we struggle. Thank you for listening.- Janet, Wheaton AT&T has won state legislation to eventually end landline phone service in Illinois—but it still needs to get the OK from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). So this battle moves to Washington.

The post Your landline stories appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> Tell Congress: Reform pay TV https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/08/08/tell-congress-reform-pay-tv/ Tue, 08 Aug 2017 16:15:25 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10542 In a quick poll CUB released last week, 98 percent of you showed support for a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights”! This week, we want to share those results with Illinois’ Congressional Delegation, and urge it to push for consumer protections for pay TV customers. Here’s the question we asked: Do you want Congress to pass a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights,” including the following reforms: Requiring Pay TV companies to offer a basic, low-cost package; Reducing or eliminating excessive charges, such as cable box fees; Requiring a-la-carte Pay TV offers, in which you only pay for the channels you use? Do you support a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights”? Send a message to Congress!   

The post Tell Congress: Reform pay TV appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> Does Illinois support cable reforms? https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/08/02/illinois-support-cable-reforms/ Wed, 02 Aug 2017 21:11:53 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10518 Answer our quick poll and next week we’ll share the results with Illinois’ Congressional delegation. Do you want Congress to pass a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights,” including the following reforms:     Requiring Pay TV companies to offer a basic, low-cost package. Reducing or eliminating excessive charges, such as cable box fees. Requiring a-la-carte Pay TV offers, in which you only pay for the channels you use. Do you want there to be a Pay TV customer bill of rights? Fill out our poll and we’ll send you CUB’s Pay TV guide in the thank you email.

The post Does Illinois support cable reforms? appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> Quick poll: Robocall update https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/07/05/quick-poll-robocall-update/ Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:40:29 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10253 ROBOCALLS UPDATE: Major developments since April, when we sent federal regulators 2,900 petition signatures urging them to fight “spoofed” robocalls. (Robocalls that alter Caller ID to get you to pick up.) This summer, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed its highest fine ever ($120 million) against a robocall scheme. Get this: A Miami man allegedly made a million “spoofed” robocalls a day to peddle vacation packages and timeshares. Just days ago, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on the FCC to fight a new annoyance: “ringless voicemails”—robocalls that go straight to your voicemail box. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said only: “We’ll take a look.” The FCC estimates that last year Americans received about 2.4 billion robocalls a month! Take our survey and tell us if you think the robocalls problem is getting better or worse?

The post Quick poll: Robocall update appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> Are you getting these robocalls? https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/07/02/are-you-getting-these-robocalls/ Sun, 02 Jul 2017 21:59:59 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10228 Have you had this robocall nuisance hit your phone? Just last week, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight “ringless voicemails”—robocalls that go straight to your voicemail box. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said: “We’ll take a look.” “With billions of robocalls made to cellphones each year, the feds should be doing more to rein in annoying telemarketers, not throw gas on the problem and add fuel to cellphone spam,” Schumer said. A ringless message company, All About The Message, LLC, had previously petitioned the FCC for the ability to leave ringless voicemails without prior consent from people. But the company has since withdrawn its petition after scrutiny from politicians. Back in April, we sent federal regulators 2,900 petition signatures urging them to fight “spoofed” robocalls. (Robocalls that alter Caller ID to get you to pick up.) This summer, the FCC proposed its highest fine ever ($120 million) against a robocall scheme. Get this: A Miami man allegedly made a million “spoofed” robocalls a day to peddle vacation packages and timeshares. The FCC estimates that last year Americans received about 2.4 billion robocalls a month!

The post Are you getting these robocalls? appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> Time is running out to voice your concerns over AT&T’s landline bill https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/06/27/time-running-voice-concerns-atts/ Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:59:56 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=10194 We need you. AT&T wants the governor to sign Senate Bill 1839 so the phone giant can eventually end landline phone service in Illinois. Any day now Gov. Bruce Rauner could act on the legislation–so this is your last chance to ask the governor to veto SB 1839. Here’s what you can do: CALL Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office in Springfield: 217-782-0244. Tell the governor’s office: Hello, my name is ADD NAME. I’m asking the governor to please veto Senate Bill 1839. That’s AT&T’s legislation to end landline service in its Illinois territory. A significant number of people, including seniors, count on traditional landlines as their most reliable connection to vital services. AT&T is a profitable company and should not be turning its back on its most vulnerable customers. Please veto SB 1839 and sign new legislation that will protect traditional landline phone service. If you can’t call Gov. Rauner’s office or the call won’t go through, please email the governor: There’s no more time to wait. We need 100 percent action right now.  

The post Time is running out to voice your concerns over AT&T’s landline bill appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> We have a winner from our cellphone survey! https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/06/02/cellphone-survey-winner/ Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:29:11 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=9820 Congratulations to Jane from Northbrook, who was selected to get $50 off her cellphone bill after taking our cellphone survey about what parts of cellphone service were most frustrating. Her response when told she had been selected? “My husband and I are members of CUB! We have been so happy that they have looked out 24/7 for consumers! They go to bat for us all! Thanks! Make sure you join today to help them achieve even more success in the future!” Thank you for your support Jane! Want to know how to lower your cellphone bill? Check out our fact sheets: CUB’s cellphone shopper’s guide and CUB’s guide to cellphone data plans

The post We have a winner from our cellphone survey! appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> LAST CHANCE to get $50 off your cellphone bill! https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/05/31/last-chance-get-50-off-cellphone-bill/ Wed, 31 May 2017 21:04:52 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=9755 If you haven’t gotten a chance to take our survey about cellphone company satisfaction, this is your last opportunity. As a thank you for participating, one person will be randomly selected to get $50 off their cellphone bill!  Act now—what’s the most annoying thing about your cellphone plan?   

The post LAST CHANCE to get $50 off your cellphone bill! appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]> POLL: What’s most annoying about cellphone service? https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2017/05/09/poll-whats-annoying-cellphone-service/ Tue, 09 May 2017 16:09:24 +0000 https://citizensutilityboard.org/?p=9531 As it tries to pass legislation that would lead to the end of traditional landline service, AT&T is pushing phone alternatives that tend to be less reliable and more expensive, such as wireless service. Tell us what you find most annoying about your cellphone service by Wednesday, May 31, and you could be randomly selected to win $50 off your next cellphone bill.  QUICK POLL: What is your biggest complaint about your cellphone service?

The post POLL: What’s most annoying about cellphone service? appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>