Cell Phone Company Spared Government, Not Consumers, From Costly Fees

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

Associated Press Story

June 11, 2008

WASHINGTON —  A leading cellular phone company declined to charge the government the same expensive fees it charges consumers for canceling their contracts early, acknowledging that “the government will never, never accept such penalty amounts,” according to internal corporate e-mails obtained by The Associated Press.

The exasperating fees are the subject of a hearing Thursday at the Federal Communications Commission. The e-mails from Nextel Communications Inc. come at a time when the FCC is considering whether to offer consumers relief from cell phone fees that the government itself appears to have avoided.

For the full story, click here.

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Phony Excuses to Raise Phone Bills

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Consumer groups say phone deregulation bill hurts them

by Michael Sorkin of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A deregulation bill backed by cable and big phone companies sailed through the Missouri Senate’s Commerce Committee on Thursday, 8-0.

Consumer advocates oppose the bill (House Bill 1779), warning that it would wipe out many consumer protections and lead to higher monthly phone bills.

The legislators weren’t buying either argument. Please click here to read the full story.

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Ring Ring Ripoff

Friday, March 28th, 2008

More deregulation, less protection

By Michael Sorkin, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Consumer groups are warning that a bill working its way through the Missouri Legislature would make it easier for large phone companies to raise customers’ rates. It also would make it harder for state regulators to help consumers who have service problems.

Opponents will have a hard time stopping the legislation: House Bill 1779 sailed through the House two weeks ago, 130-22, with heavy lobbying by telephone and cable companies. It’s now before the Senate, where promoters are predicting an easy victory.  Click here to read the full story.

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Hunting for AT&T’s elusive discounts

Friday, September 14th, 2007

Please click here to read about reporter Michael Sorkin’s unrelenting quest to uncover the hidden deals that AT&T allegedly offers.

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AT&T is raising some rates today by up to 25 percent

Friday, September 7th, 2007

By Michael D. Sorkin
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/07/20

AT&T plans to increase some phone rates today by as much as 25 percent. The company says about half its Missouri customers will see higher bills.

The increases are on flat rates for basic local phone service in the St. Louis area and other urban parts of the state. Not affected are rates in Illinois and most bundled rate packages that many customers use.

The increases range from a low of 75 cents to a high of $2.50 per month. One basic rate will go to $12.50 a month from $10.

For the full Post-Dispatch story, click here.

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