An Overview of Cell Phone Terminology
To learn about cellphones, it's important that you start by gaining an understanding of the sometimes arcane and puzzling terminology used in the industry. Whether you're looking for a phone at the local phone store or just trying to puzzle out all the options and service plans, having a good understanding of what airtime, hands-free, peak, and roaming all mean are critical to you finding and keeping the best service for your needs.
Access Fee: A fee that local telephone companies are allowed to charge all telephone customers for the right to connect with the local phone network.
Airtime: Actual time spent talking on the cellular telephone. Airtime charges are normally more expensive during peak periods of the day and are generally less expensive during off-peak periods.
Cell: The basic geographic unit of a cellular system. A city or county is divided into small "cells", each of which is equipped with low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The cells can vary in size depending on terrain and capacity demands. By controlling the transmission power and the radio frequencies assigned from one cell to another, the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the movement and transfers the phone call to another cell and another frequency as needed.
ESN: Each cellular phone is assigned a unique ESN (Electronic Serial Number), which is automatically transmitted to the cellular tower station every time a cellular call is placed. The MTSO validates the ESN with each call. The ESN consists of three parts: the manufacturer code (cell phone), a reserved area, and a manufacturer- assigned serial number.
Frequency Reuse: The ability to use the same frequencies repeatedly across a cellular system. Since each cell is designed to use radio frequencies only within its boundaries, the same frequencies can be reused in other cells not far away with little potential for interference. The reuse of frequencies permits a cellular system to handle a huge number of calls with a limited number of channels.
Handoff: The process by which the MTSO passes a cellular phone conversation from one radio frequency in one cell to another radio frequency in another.
Hands-Free: An important safety feature that permits drivers to use their cellular phone without lifting or holding the handset to their ear.
Mobile Phone: The type of cellular phone that is installed in a motor vehicle. There are three main types of cellular phones mobile, transportable, and portable. A mobile unit is attached to the vehicle, draws its power from the vehicles battery and has an external antenna.
MTSO: Mobile Telephone Switching Office. The central switch that controls the entire operation of a cellular system. It is a sophisticated computer that monitors all cellular calls, tracks the location of all cellular-equipped vehicles traveling in the system, arranges handoffs, keeps track of billing information, etc.
NAM: The NAM (Number Assignment Module) is the electronic memory in the cellular phone that stores the telephone number. Phones with dual- or multi-NAM features offer users the option of registering the phone with a local number in more than one area.
Off-peak: The period of time after the business day has ended during which carriers may offer reduced airtime charges.
Peak: Highest-usage period of the business day when a cellular system carries the most calling traffic.
Portable: A one-piece, self-contained cellular phone. Portables normally have built-in antennas and a rechargeable battery.
Roaming: The ability to use your cellular phone outside your local calling area.
Standby time: The amount of time you can leave your fully charged cellular portable or transportable phone turned on before the phone will completely discharge the batteries.
Talk time: The length of time you can talk on your portable or transportable cellular phone without recharging the battery. The battery capacity of a cellular portable or transportable is usually expressed in terms of so many minutes of talk time OR so many hours of standby time. When youre talking, the phone draws additional power from the battery.
Understanding Cell Phone Coverage
There are essentially two types of cell phone coverage: analog and digital. Calls made on digital networks are clearer, more secure, and more feature-rich than calls made on analog networks. Because analog technology has been in use since the 1980s, virtually every part of the country where people live has analog coverage. Carriers have deployed digital technology more recently and, therefore, digital service plans and coverage tend to be available in the more populated and highly-traveled areas of the country. The FCC estimates approximately 97% of the U.S. population lives in counties that have some digital coverage. Significant portions of the countrys land area do not have access to digital service. Carriers are constantly upgrading their networks to expand the areas where they can offer digital mobile telephone service.
During the 1980s, the FCC licensed cellular spectrum in the 800 MHz band to two cellular carriers in virtually every market in the country. These carriers began building out their networks and offering analog cellular service. In 1994 the FCC began auctioning additional mobile telephone spectrum in the 1900 MHz band for Personal Communication Services (PCS). The carriers who purchased this spectrum began building out digital technology and offering digital mobile telephone services. Cellular carriers in the 800 MHz band have upgraded most of their networks from analog to digital technology in order to expand capacity and improve the quality of service. During the late 1990s, carriers operating in spectrum bands allocated for Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service began upgrading their networks with digital technology and offering mobile telephone service in competition with cellular and PCS operators. Mobile telephone carriers using these various spectrum bands continue to deploy digital technology in their networks today.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Coverage refers to the geographic area where mobile telephone subscribers can use their cell phones*. Cell phones must be able to receive or pick up a signal from a mobile telephone carriers network. Coverage varies by carrier and is determined by the extent to which carriers have built out their networks.
*The term cell phones generally refers to all mobile phones that operate on any of the three types of mobile telephone spectrum: cellular, PCS, or digital SMR.
WHERE CAN I USE MY CELL PHONE?
This is determined mainly by where your carrier owns spectrum licenses and where it has built out its network within its license areas. Analog networks cover almost every area of the country, whereas digital networks, while extensive, are not everywhere. The extent to which individual carriers have built out their networks in a given market varies.
Even if your carrier has not built out its network in a given area, you may be able to connect to or roam on another carriers network. If your carrier has an agreement with another carrier, and if you have a type of handset that allows roaming, you may be able to connect. (See The Handset, page 3.) Most handsets that allow roaming have an indicator to let subscribers know when they are outside their home calling area and/or out of reach of their carriers network. How much you will pay for calls in different areas depends on your pricing plan.
DROPPED CALLS, DEAD SPOTS & BUSY SIGNALS
Even where a carrier offers coverage in a specific geographic area, you may not be able to complete a given call due to limitations in network architecture and capacity. When a carrier fails to hand off a call in progress, as you travel from one part of the carriers network to another, a dropped call results. When many customers use a carriers network at the same time, its capacity becomes constrained. Other customers trying to connect will hear a busy signal instead of being able to complete their calls.
Topography can also affect coverage, causing dead spots. A dead spot is an area where service is not available because the signal between the handset and the cell tower is blocked, usually by hilly terrain, excessive foliage, or tall buildings. Carriers are constantly improving and upgrading their networks in order to minimize these types of problems.
Cell Phone Fraud & Scams
Cellular fraud (cell fraud) is defined as the unauthorized use, tampering, or manipulation of a cellular phone or service. At one time, cloning of cellular phones accounted for a large portion of cell fraud. As a result, the Wireless Telephone Protection Act of 1998 expanded prior law to criminalize the use, possession, manufacture or sale of cloning hardware or software. Currently, the primary type of cell fraud is subscriber fraud. The cellular industry estimates that carriers lose more than $150 million per year due to subscriber fraud.
What Is Subscriber Fraud?
Subscriber fraud occurs when someone signs up for service with fraudulently-obtained customer information or false identification. Lawbreakers obtain your personal information and use it to set up a cell phone account in your name.
Resolving subscriber fraud could develop into a long and difficult process for victims. It may take time to discover that subscriber fraud has occurred and an even longer time to prove that you did not incur the debts. Call your carrier if you think you have been a victim of subscriber fraud.
What Is Cell Phone Cloning Fraud?
Every cell phone is supposed to have a unique factory-set electronic serial number (ESN) and telephone number (MIN). A cloned cell phone is one that has been reprogrammed to transmit the ESN and MIN belonging to another (legitimate) cell phone. Unscrupulous people can obtain valid ESN/MIN combinations by illegally monitoring the radio wave transmissions from the cell phones of legitimate subscribers. After cloning, both the legitimate and the fraudulent cell phones have the same ESN/MIN combination and cellular systems cannot distinguish the cloned cell phone from the legitimate one. The legitimate phone user then gets billed for the cloned phone's calls. Call your carrier if you think you have been a victim of cloning fraud.
Summary
Remember, to prevent subscriber fraud, make sure that your personal information is kept private when purchasing anything in a store or on the Internet. Protecting your personal information is your responsibility. For cell phone cloning fraud, the cellular equipment manufacturing industry has deployed authentication systems that have proven to be a very effective countermeasure to cloning. Call your cellular phone carrier for more information.
Understanding Cell Phone Pricing Plans
Most wireless pricing plans include a certain number of minutes per month (often called a basket or bucket of minutes) for a certain price; any minutes over that specified amount are charged on a per-minute basis. Any unused minutes at the end of the month usually expire. Carriers generally offer several variations of these types of plans with increasing baskets of minutes at increasing monthly fees. Carriers also vary their service plans by where subscribers can use their phones without incurring additional roaming and long distance fees.
Before the advent of bucket pricing plans, carriers charged subscribers a per-minute fee for each minute of airtime on every call. Some carriers still offer these types of plans today. With these plans, calls made during certain peak times of the day - generally business hours - often cost more, and calls made during other off-peak times - generally nights and weekends - often cost less. Again, which times constitute night and weekend vary by carrier.
PEAK & OFF-PEAK MINUTES / NIGHT & WEEKEND VS. ANYTIMEMINUTES
Many carriers offer plans that include a basket of minutes that can be used anytime during the month plus a larger basket of minutes that can be used during certain times, generally nights and/or weekends. Which time periods constitute night and weekend vary by carrier. With the majority of pricing plans, consumers pay for both outgoing and incoming calls. In the case of bucket plans, the minutes from both outgoing and incoming calls are usually deducted from a customers monthly bucket of minutes. However, some carriers offer pricing plans where all or some of the minutes of incoming calls are free to customers.
WHO PAYS FOR INCOMING CALLS?
In general, mobile carriers charge by the minute. When you use a fraction of a minute, many carriers round up to the next minute, charging or deducting subscribers a full minute when only a portion of it is used. However, some carriers offer plans that round to the nearest second instead of minute.
ROAMING
Carriers have traditionally charged per-minute roaming fees on calls made from the network of the carrier that has a roaming arrangement with your carrier from a location outside of a customers home calling area. However, several carriers have eliminated these fees in their nationwide pricing plans.
All of the major mobile carriers offer pricing plans that allow customers to purchase a bucket of monthly minutes to use on a nationwide basis without incurring roaming or long distance charges. Consumers should be aware that how carriers define nationwide varies. For some carriers, this means being able to use your phone anywhere in the country where any type of signal is available at no additional charge. For other carriers, it means being able to send and receive calls only on the carriers network without incurring roaming and long distance fees. These carriers networks generally extend through the countrys more populated and highly-traveled locations but do not cover the entire United States.
Cell phone users have traditionally had to pay additional fees for long distance calls. Long distance calls are generally calls made to locations outside of a customers home coverage area. However, some carriers may define long distance calls differently for purposes of their pricing plans. Several carriers offer pricing plans that eliminate per-minute long distance fees. Some plans charge no long distance fees for calls made from a customers home calling area, some for calls made from anywhere on a carriers network, and some for calls made from anywhere in the United States. Whenever a long distance call is made, the mobile telephone carrier determines which long distance carrier will complete the call, unlike with landline service where the customer chooses the long distance carrier.
PREPAID SERVICES
With prepaid service, consumers purchase a handset and pay for a fixed amount of minutes prior to making any calls. There is usually a set time period in which unused minutes will expire. Prepaid minutes are often subject to peak and off-peak airtime rates. When prepaid customers have used up their minutes, they can refill them. Carriers do not obtain credit history reports on prepaid subscribers as they generally do with other subscribers.
ROLLOVER MINUTES
With most bucket pricing plans, any unused minutes expire at the end of the month. However, some carriers offer consumers the option to roll their unused minutes over to the next month.
Factors to Consider when Selecting a Cell Phone Handset
There are a number of different factors to consider when you're consider what cellphone (cell phone) will best meet your needs and lifestyle. This page will get you started, but most importantly remember that it's more than just a fashion statement: it's a communications tool and as such it needs to be comfortable and functional too.
BATTERY LIFE
What are the handsets talk time and standby time? Standby time is the number of hours or days the phone can stay on before the battery will run out. Talk time is the number of hours a user can talk on the phone before the battery will run out. These times can vary with analog and digital service. Also, a handsets battery will affect its size and weight.
SAR RATING
The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a measure of the level of human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from a handset. You can obtain information on SAR ratings of specific handsets on the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/#sar.
MOBILE DATA CAPABILITIES
Does the handset have the ability to access the carriers wireless web services and/or send and receive text messages?
MODE
Is the phone single or multimode? Can it operate on analog or digital networks, or both? Does it indicate when its roaming?
SCREEN SIZE
This can be an important factor for viewing phone numbers and other stored data, as well as wireless Web content.
VOICE FEATURES
Does the phone have voiceactivated dialing? Does it have a speaker phone?
STORAGE
How many phone numbers and other data can the handset store?
Cell Phone Health & Safety Issues
Since 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has required that all cellular and PCS telephones sold in the United States meet minimum guidelines regarding safe human exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy emitted from these phones. In the U.S., the FCC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) share regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones. However, because the FCC is not a health and safety agency, it defers to other organizations and agencies, such as the FDA, to evaluate the results of biological and health studies that are necessary for determining safe levels for human exposure.
The limits for mobile phone exposure adopted by the FCC are the exposure levels recommended by two expert organizations, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRPM). The FCC also consulted with the FDA and other federal agencies with interests and responsibilities in this area, and obtained their support for the FCC's limits as being protective of public health.
The FCC's guidelines specify exposure limits for hand-held phones and similar devices in terms of the Specific Absorption Rate or "SAR." The SAR is a measure of the rate that RF energy is absorbed by the body. For exposure from mobile phones, the allowable SAR limit is 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg), as measured over one gram of human tissue.
There is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer or a variety of other problems, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss. However, organizations in the United States and overseas are sponsoring research and investigating claims of possible health effects related to the use of wireless telephones. The Federal government is monitoring the results of this ongoing research, and the FDA is participating in an industry-funded research project to further investigate possible biological effects.
In order to provide consumers with useful information on possible health concerns relating to wireless telephone technologies, the FCC and the FDA have developed a joint Web site to provide consumers with the latest information on wireless telephone technologies, current research and related issues. Consumers can access the joint Web site through the FCC's RF Safety Web site at www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety for detailed information on this and other related topics. In addition, the FCC maintains a dedicated telephone line for consumer information on radiofrequency safety issues. The number is 1-202-418-2464.
Information on health-related research on mobile phones is available at the joint FCC/FDA Web site given above. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established an International Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Project to provide information on the state of knowledge in this area, to establish research needs and to promote harmonization of exposure standards for RF energy. More information is available at the WHO Web site, www.who.int/peh-emf.
All phones that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC safety guidelines that limit RF exposure. If wireless phones are shown to emit RF at a level that is hazardous to the user, the FDA has authority to take action. By taking action, the FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones to notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.
An Overview of Cell Phone Wireless Priority Service
Wireless Priority Service is a method of improving connection capabilities for a limited number of authorized national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) cell phone users. In the event of congestion in the wireless network, an emergency call using WPS will wait in queue for the next available channel. WPS calls do not preempt calls in progress or deny the general public’s use of the radio spectrum.
Who is eligible to have WPS?
WPS is available to key NS/EP personnel with leadership responsibilities at the federal, state, and local levels of government, and in critical private industries (e.g., finance, telecommunications, energy, transportation, etc.). These users can range from senior members of the Presidential administration, to emergency managers and fire and police chiefs at the local level, to critical technicians in wireline and wireless carriers, banking, nuclear facilities, and other vital national infrastructures. For additional information, see Who Qualifies.
What companies are currently providing WPS?
WPS is currently being provided only on GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) carriers. The initial nationwide carrier is T-Mobile. GSM carriers AT&T Wireless and Cingular, and GSM/iDEN carrier Nextel offer WPS in selected markets today and will expand to all of their service areas where they are the network operators by Fall 2004. WPS is planned to be added in 2006 on CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) carriers, such as Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless. Details are continually updated on the Carriers section.
What are the costs for WPS?
WPS features are an add-on cost to a basic cell phone subscription. Each carrier may set its WPS fees up to a cap set by the NCS. The one-time activation charge is capped at $10 per phone and a monthly service charge is capped at $4.50. Users invoke WPS by dialing *272, followed by the destination phone number. An airtime rate of up to 75 cents per minute is charged for the service. The *272 WPS call minutes are not deducted from the minute allowances of the user’s basic subscription. Contract information for other Carriers will be updated as available on the WPS website.
How are the agencies billed?
Agencies will receive their WPS billing as a feature charge on their cellular service invoices, and they can determine how they administer the service. Subscribers may create one account with one billing address for multiple phones, or they may create more than one account, each going to its own “bill to” point of contact (POC). Invoices will be sent as directed by the agency POC.
How much is the equipment and the basic service?
Cellular telephone services are on the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule. Service and equipment packages are described on the following GSM carrier websites: Cingular Wireless, Nextel, and T-Mobile.
Will users be able to use WPS while roaming?
Yes, as long as roaming occurs on a network that supports WPS.
Will there be roaming charges? If so, will there be separate billing for roaming charges?
Whether or not there are roaming charges depends on the basic service plan purchased by each agency. Roaming charges, if any, are normally incorporated into the monthly service bill.
Is there an analog service fallback?
No. The Global System for Mobile (GSM) technology is digital only.
The display on my phone says "Emergency Service Only". What does this mean?
" Emergency Service Only" means that your phone has accessed another GSM carrier that does not have a roaming agreement with your carrier at your current location. This can happen when your regular carrier's signal is disturbed or weak and your handset "captures" a stronger signal from the other network. Another reason that you might see this message is if there is a temporary network fault which keeps your handset from properly registering with your home carrier when you power it on. Finally, if the display stays on for a long time, it may mean that your service has been suspended for some reason and you will need to contact your carrier's customer care organization. While the message is displayed, you cannot make regular or WPS calls, but you may make 911 calls or calls to customer care (611).
In what markets will WPS be available and when?
WPS is available nationwide in most T-Mobile service areas. Exceptions are those locations where T-Mobile provides basic services through partnerships with other wireless network providers, and those partners do not support WPS. AT&T Wireless, Cingular, and Nextel currently offer WPS in selective markets. Additional coverage areas are planned during 2004 and 2005 and will be announced when they become operational. Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS are planning to offer WPS when modifications to their technology can be made, estimated for 2006. For the latest information on WPS carriers and markets, see Carriers on the WPS website. Applications for pre-approval of the WPS feature are being accepted for markets that do not have WPS. To pre-subscribe, see Request WPS. After the request is approved, it will be held for submission to the carrier as soon as they have WPS enabled on their network in the requested service area. At this time, we are not accepting pre-approval requests for Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless.
How do users apply for WPS?
If your organization already participates in WPS, contact your WPS POC. If you need assistance in identifying your POC, contact NCS by e-mail at wps@ncs.gov or by phone at 866-NCS-CALL (627-2255), choose Option 2; or in the metro Washington, DC area dial 703-676-CALL. If your organization does not have a WPS POC, NCS will assist in establishing one. Organization POCs will screen WPS applicants based on FCC criteria, and will then complete an online application. The NCS will review the application and inform the agency POC of the action on the application. The NCS will process the service request to the carrier to add the WPS feature. For more information on applying, see Request WPS.
What is the process for approved users to obtain service?
Once approved for WPS, organization POCs will procure equipment and establish basic service, if they have not already done so. If not previously provided, agency POCs will send the NCS the account and phone number information. The NCS will then issue an order to the carrier to add the WPS feature to the phone.
If secure cellular phones are available, how are they incorporated into the network?
The Sectera secure cellular phone is a GSM phone supported by GSM cellular networks. Information is available on the WPS homepage. WPS will not work on the secure CDMA phone until such time as Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless begin providing WPS service and that phone is used on their service.
Will there be a preemption feature in the WPS system based on the NS/EP level?
Since WPS uses the public network, preemption of existing phone calls will not occur. However, if a cell is congested and a queue of WPS users has formed, users will be served in WPS priority order. Even though a queue of WPS users has formed on the public network, radio channels will still be made available to the general public.
If I change carriers, does my WPS follow me?
Whether transferring your existing number or obtaining a new number, you must have your organizational WPS POC submit this change request online. The new carrier cannot accept a request from the user directly to add WPS to the user’s new account. If WPS is available in your service area from your service provider, request WPS from your new provider via the online change request form. Your new service with the new provider will then be provisioned with WPS.
Should I use 911 with WPS?
No, you will get no benefit by dialing 272 911, and will lose the location information which would have been provided by 911.
Why didn't my call go through when I dialed *272 plus my destination number?
Even though this is rare, it might happen for a variety of reasons. All users are encouraged to make WPS test calls from numerous locations in order to help troubleshoot the network. This includes testing WPS with the GETS card. If for some reason you encounter problems while using *272, call 800-818-GETS (4387) for assistance or to open a trouble ticket.
Who do I contact for more information?
Additional information may be obtained by contacting WPS Operations and Administration: Telephone - 866-NCS-CALL (627-2255), choose Option 2; or in the metro Washington, DC area dial 703-676-CALL. Web Site: http://wps.ncs.gov; E-mail: wps@ncs.gov. The WPS Program Office can be contacted at 703- 607-6118.
Cramming & Mystery Phone Charges and Fees
"Cramming." No, we're not talking about studying for an exam, although you may want to study your monthly phone bill more closely in the future. This type of cramming refers to unexplained charges on your phone bill for services you never ordered, authorized, received, or used. Sometimes a one-time charge for entertainment services will be crammed onto your phone bill. Other times, monthly recurring charges are crammed onto your phone bill. Cramming of monthly recurring charges falls into two general categories: club memberships, such as psychic clubs, personal clubs, or travel clubs; and telecommunications products or service programs, such as voice mail, paging, and calling cards.
Cramming Schemes
Most of these scams occur through the use of an 800 number. Others are initiated by contests or sweepstakes. They are all deceptive, and you should dispute the charges. Here are some common ways crooks get your phone number and cram charges onto your bill.
* 800 Number Calls. You call an 800 number advertised as a free date line, psychic line or other adult entertainment service. A recording prompts you to give your name and to say "I want the service," or some similar phrase, to get the advertised free service. You may have no opportunity to speak with an operator or ask questions, but you are automatically enrolled in a club or service program. The phone number from which you call is captured and billed. You often never get the "free" service you called for, or the service you're billed for.
* Contest Entry Forms. You fill out a contest entry form, thinking you're entering to win a prize. In fact, some unscrupulous promoter is using the contest to get your phone number, enroll you for a calling card or some similar service, and bill you on your phone bill. The disclosure on the entry form, which is very difficult to comprehend and in very fine print, says that by completing the form, you authorized the service. You may never get the service -- just the bills.
* Direct Mail Sweepstakes. You receive a sweepstakes promotion in the mail that tells you to dial an 800 number to enter or claim your prize. When you call, a recording follows an automated script to automatically enroll you in a club or service program. The phone number from which you call is captured and billed. Once again, the disclosure on the sweepstakes mailer is very difficult to comprehend and in very fine print, and you do not get the service -- just the bills.
* "Instant" Calling Cards. Someone may use your phone to call an 800 number for an adult entertainment service, and be offered an "instant calling card." The "calling card" isn't an actual card, but is rather an access code based on the phone number from which the call was placed. The card is used to access and bill for the entertainment service. If someone uses your phone to sign up for such a card, your phone number will be billed for all purchases of entertainment made using that card, whether or not they are made from your phone.
* Dating Service Calls. You call an 800 number advertised as a way to meet local people for free. You're told your date will call you back, or you're asked to enter a code to be "teleconferenced" with your date. What you're not told is that you'll be charged a hefty fee for your conversation with your date. Charges for these calls show up on your phone bill incorrectly labeled as collect or toll charges from a different city.
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How to Save Money & Avoid Phone Service Problems
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Telephone Service is Changing
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Similar competition may also develop for the local phone service currently offered by one company in your community. How quickly this local competition emerges depends upon several factors -- including the rules laid down by your home state to manage phone service and the decisions made by individual companies on how and where to seek customers. Local competition holds the promise of lower rates and greater choice for consumers.
Companies you recognize will be offering a broader range of services, while companies unfamiliar to you may solicit you for their services also. With dozens of companies offering local service, long distance or both, consumers need to make sure they are getting the best deal.
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Be a Savvy Shopper
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Long Distance -- Know Your Needs
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The best way to save money on long distance service may be to enroll in a calling plan that fits your habits. Consider the following:
o how many calls you make a month,
o how long you talk,
o the time of day you usually make calls,
o where the calls are placed (local, domestic long distance or international),
o the rate per minute or per month, and
o any monthly fee or minimum spending limit.
A close look at your monthly bill will provide you with the information needed when choosing the right calling plan. You should request written material from companies and compare their rates to your calling patterns and make sure you fully review the details of a plan before you sign on.
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Local Service ----- Choice is Coming
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The full picture of local service has yet to be completed, especially as each of the 50 states determines how it will oversee the new open market.
As the local market changes, be wary of offers that commit you for a set period of time to your current local company or a new provider. While their discounts or rates may sound like a good deal, such practices can lock out competitors and limit consumer choice.
For the first time in a long time, one company will be able to offer both local and long distance services to consumers. This ability to choose is convenient and can save you money. You may, however, save more money by selecting a separate company for local and long distance service. The key is: shop around among companies offering various local and long distance plans and shop smart.
This brochure warns you about some deceptive techniques used to sell telephone service. It can help you avoid marketing abuses today and alert you to tactics that may be used as competition for local service develops.
CAUTION: Look Before You Leap
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Slamming
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You have the right to choose your primary long distance company and to change companies whenever you wish. Over the past few years, the number one consumer complaint in the telephone market involves a practice called "slamming" -- when your chosen long distance telephone service provider is switched to another company without your consent or knowledge. This practice may involve deceptive marketing tactics or outright fraud, and it could affect your local service. If your service is slammed, you could lose important service features, get lower quality service or be charged higher rates for your long distance calls.
The Federal Communications Commission´s (FCC) rules and policies and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibit slamming. The FCC´s rules require a long distance company to obtain your authorization before changing your long distance service provider. Your state may have similar regulations.
Tips on How Students can Share A Phone Line
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STUDENTS WHO SHARE TELEPHONE SERVICE HAVE BILL RESPONSIBILITY!
Sharing a telephone can be a great way to economize while attending college. However, problems can develop when roommates share a telephone and then can't or don't pay their portion of the bill. Here is some information from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to help ensure a good credit rating with the telephone company.
o If your name is listed on the telephone bill, then you are the person responsible for full payment. If roommates don't pay their portion, you must. If you are unwilling to do so, don't have the telephone put in your name.
o Some telephone companies will list more than one name on a bill. Each person named becomes responsible for full payment in the event that the others do not pay. Make sure that all parties listed understand the agreement.
o To prevent unauthorized changes to your service, request that the company flag your account so that a pass code is required before changes can be made.
o Make sure you know the details of any long distance plans you may be placed on or have selected, and the rates for long distance calls. Call your long-distance company and ask for the per-minute rates. You may budget your time and expenses wisely if you know what it is costing you per minute to talk long distance.
o Don't rely on others to take the telephone service out of your name if you move. Contact the telephone company and request termination of your service. Keep a record of the date, time and person(s) you talk to at the company. Follow up in two weeks to make sure service was terminated on the date requested.
o Some students may want to get their own telephone service. Although it costs a little more than sharing, it can prevent possible credit problems if bills go unpaid.
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Here are some additional options to consider for students who share a telephone:
Prepaid Long Distance Calling Card
These cards are issued for a specific amount of money, and are usable for a specified number of calling minutes, ranging from 10 to up to 1000 minutes. With each use, the cost of the call is deducted from the card's balance. The cards are widely available - through local and long distance telephone companies, retail outlets and the Internet. Some of these cards may be "re-charged" by calling a toll-free number listed on the back of the card or by charging more minutes to a credit card. There may be a minimum fee or service charge - always read the fine print. Also, look for cards that do not expire and offer a low per-minute rate.