Telecom
Defend basic phone service, demand accountability
Phone rates have gone up by as much as 600% in the last 3 years and the CPUC wants to let phone companies have unlimited rate increases. Take action to demand affordable phone service for all Californians.
Your phone could become pay to play!
TURN CONSUMER ALERT: Unlimited local calling threatened. Phone companies want to end unlimited local calling, charge for incoming calls, charge for calls to 800 numbers and even charge for calls received from telemarketers.
California’s Poorest Protest Lifeline Changes
Report and video clip of recent CPUC meetings on proposed changes to the LifeLine Program.
Avoid Paying Additional Utility Deposits
Dear Consumer Advisor,
On top of the sky high utility bills I pay every month, my utility has informed me that I am required to pay a deposit of $200 in order to continue receiving service. I've been a customer for years and was never asked for a deposit. I don't understand why all of a sudden they are demanding such a large sum of money. How did they come up with the amount of the required deposit? What's going on?
NEW! Freedom From Telemarketers—It’s Easier Than Ever Before!
Over 157 million consumers depend on the Do-Not-Call list to keep annoying telemarketers away. Those consumers can now enjoy more freedom from telemarketers than before. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which administers the list, has announced it will be extended indefinitely.
The Repairperson No-Show
Is there a rule or a law that requires electric utilities and local phone companies to show up for repairs when they say they will?
How to Reach an Actual Human at Your Utility Company
Dear Consumer Advisor,
I get so frustrated every time I have to call my utility company! The phone menu rarely offers what I want and never seems to lead to a real live human being. Is there any way to avoid the endless phone menu and connect with someone who can actually help me?
Sincerely,
Wanna Person
Wirepro: A Goldmine for AT&T, A Waste of Money for Most Consumers.
TURN advises consumers to think twice about the cost of Wirepro, which have recently gone up. Inside wire rarely break. For most customers, inside wire insurance is not worth the money, especially at $7.00 per month.
Is Bundled Service Right For Me?
Dear Consumer Advisor,
What is bundled service, and why is AT&T constantly sending me glossy advertisements for it? ? Do I have to buy a package of services from them, and will it be cheaper if I do?
Signed,
Happily Unbundled
Phone Company Cutbacks Threaten Public Safety: Oppose SB 1375
9-1-1 access would be drastically reduced by a bill sponsored by the phone companies to eliminate their responsibility to maintain “warm lines,” phone lines that have been disconnected but can still be used to call 911. TURN strenuously opposes this bill, which would allow AT&T and Verizon to renege on a long-standing commitment to make sure as many Californians as possible have access to 911.
Governor Urged to Reject SB 1375
Phone company cutbacks threaten public safety: Emergency 911 access would be drastically reduced by a bill sponsored by the phone companies to eliminate their responsibility to maintain “warm lines,” phone lines that have been disconnected but can still be used to call 911.
To Bundle Or Not To Bundle—cable TV, Internet and phone service
Dear Consumer Advisor,
I’m thinking about bundling my telephone and internet services with my cable service. By bundling I will get just one bill for multiple services. But how do I decide which is the best service for me and what do you do if I have a complaint?
Protect Public Safety and 9-1-1 Service
Demand a NO vote: Protect 911 emergency service access. Tell the governor to reject SB-1375, AT&T sponsored legislation that could shut off emergency access completely to those without a landline phone.
Phone Company Cutbacks Threaten Public Safety
TURN warns against passage of SB-1375, a phone company proposal that would drastically reduce 911 access.
Gaps Emerge in Consumer Protections after Phone Deregulation
by California Political Desk, California Chronicle
July 20th, 2010
by California Political Desk, California Chronicle
July 20th, 2010
Consumer protections have diminished significantly since the California Public Utilities Commission deregulated phone rates in 2006 and adopted a new "hands-off" approach toward telecommunications, according to a report released by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.
Unlimited Local Calling Threatened
A CPUC Commissioner has proposed changing the definition of basic telephone service to limit the number of minutes that a customer gets for “basic service fixed rate.” Once a customer hit a pre-established amount of minutes, every call they made or received would be charged by the minute, including incoming calls, calls to “toll free” numbers, time spent on hold and even unwanted calls from telemarketers.
‘Warm lines’ for 911 calls face dismantling
by John Howard, Capitol Weekly
July 8th, 2010
by John Howard, Capitol Weekly
July 8th, 2010
TURN criticizes a bill that would cut off emergency access to emergency phone calls, especially since it's sailing through the state senate without debate.
Phone giants' proposal to drop some 911 lines strongly backed by California lawmakers
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
July 7th, 2010
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
July 7th, 2010
Bill would end a requirement to maintain home lines capable only of calling a 911 center even after service is cut. Backers call it a waste of resources. An opponent says his side is being outspent.
'Warm lines' targeted by telephone companies
by Capitol Weekly Staff , Capitol Weekly
June 22nd, 2010
by Capitol Weekly Staff , Capitol Weekly
June 22nd, 2010
TURN opposes Curren Price's SB-1375 because tens of thousands of 911 emergency calls are made on "warm lines" each month.
Jon Stewart to Apple: If you wanna break down someone's door, why don't you start with AT&T?
by TURN
April 29th, 2010
by TURN
April 29th, 2010
Jon Stewart weighs in on the iphone leak controversy, telling Apple to go after AT&T for making "your amazing phone unusable as a phone!" in an amazing Daily Show rant.
New Rate Option May Lower Phone Bill
by Sue Kwon, CBS 5 Consumer Watch
February 8th, 2010
by Sue Kwon, CBS 5 Consumer Watch
February 8th, 2010
Phone bills are skyrocketing, Mark Toney advises consumers to complain so that public officials know we something done.
Roaming charges for Internet use bring $16,379 bill
by Tanya Sierra, San Diego Union Tribune
January 29th, 2010
by Tanya Sierra, San Diego Union Tribune
January 29th, 2010
TURN tells the San Diego Tribune that high data charges are all-too-familiar, and warns that cell carriers don't give customers courtesy calls similar to credit cards or banks before letting the charges accrue.
Consumer Power Saves A LifeLine
Video: TURN consumer activists put the brakes on a plan that would raise rates for low-income LifeLine phone service.
AT&T to raise landline phone service by more than 20 percent
by Troy Wolverton, San Jose Mercury News
October 16th, 2009
by Troy Wolverton, San Jose Mercury News
October 16th, 2009
TURN tells the Mercury News that AT&T will continue to raise rates.
'Cramming' Phone Charges Plague Bay Area Consumers
by Anna Werner, CBS 5 Investigates
October 1st, 2009
by Anna Werner, CBS 5 Investigates
October 1st, 2009
TURN managing attorney Bill Nusbaum tells CBS-5 that the CPUC isn't enforcing laws against 'cramming' bogus charges on phone bills.
Consumer Activism Kills AT&T’s Unfair Service Agreement
TURN leads ordinary customers to a victory over AT&T
TURN Study Confirms Suppressed Findings:
Phone Deregulation is a Disaster
March 25th, 2009
March 25th, 2009
A groundbreaking study released today by The Utility Reform Network, TURN, proves that telephone service deregulation in California is a disaster, and phone company competition a myth.
