Comments on: The Utter Corruption of the US Telecom Industry http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/ Firedoglake weblog Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:52:16 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: YallerDog http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1025077 YallerDog Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:43:11 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1025077 <p>Let us never forget that it was Shrub’s daddy that unchained the monopolies and laid the ground work for this and the ENRON fiasco. It was FDR that caged (jailed) the Energy CEO’s of yesteryear for wankery very similar to what the Telecoms of today are committing. We need another FDR.<br /> This nation would be so much better served if Pelosi would put impeachment back on the table for a real thanksgiving blessing.</p> Let us never forget that it was Shrub’s daddy that unchained the monopolies and laid the ground work for this and the ENRON fiasco. It was FDR that caged (jailed) the Energy CEO’s of yesteryear for wankery very similar to what the Telecoms of today are committing. We need another FDR.
This nation would be so much better served if Pelosi would put impeachment back on the table for a real thanksgiving blessing.

]]> By: moose http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024805 moose Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:45:44 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024805 <p>Deep in EPU territory but I just had to say it:</p> <p>Decades ago, I worked for AT&T. In the postwar era, the company in its wisdom decided to help the workers by sponsoring a union! Subsequently, the relative wage earning went from 14th on a national scale to …</p> <p><b>41st</b> … in Cincinnati one year, with our contract up for renegotiation, the local was pretty adamant about ‘no more Mister Nice Guy.’ But lo! the regional reps turned up to tell us of a done deal. When union and company conspire on sweetheart contracts, there’s no hope.</p> <p>But ha! I left with ten years’ service. And not long after the FCC did the big bustup.</p> <p>Now, it seems, the Frankenstein monster has been sewn back together and once more too big for its britches.</p> Deep in EPU territory but I just had to say it:

Decades ago, I worked for AT&T. In the postwar era, the company in its wisdom decided to help the workers by sponsoring a union! Subsequently, the relative wage earning went from 14th on a national scale to …

41st … in Cincinnati one year, with our contract up for renegotiation, the local was pretty adamant about ‘no more Mister Nice Guy.’ But lo! the regional reps turned up to tell us of a done deal. When union and company conspire on sweetheart contracts, there’s no hope.

But ha! I left with ten years’ service. And not long after the FCC did the big bustup.

Now, it seems, the Frankenstein monster has been sewn back together and once more too big for its britches.

]]> By: Jeany http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024611 Jeany Wed, 10 Oct 2007 05:39:04 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024611 <p>Just a heads-up, I saw Amy Klobachur on C-SPAN last night (I think), being interviewed about some wireless telco legislation that’s under development in the Senate. They’re looking at both service shortfalls and contractual policies, and she said that the news that legislation is being drafted has been sufficient to move some companies to ease policies. Cell phone users bill of rights, sounds good. Pretty embarassing that by global comparison, cell phone service in the USA is horrible.</p> Just a heads-up, I saw Amy Klobachur on C-SPAN last night (I think), being interviewed about some wireless telco legislation that’s under development in the Senate. They’re looking at both service shortfalls and contractual policies, and she said that the news that legislation is being drafted has been sufficient to move some companies to ease policies. Cell phone users bill of rights, sounds good. Pretty embarassing that by global comparison, cell phone service in the USA is horrible.

]]> By: alank http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024511 alank Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:55:40 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024511 <p>We still don’t have mobile or broadband service. It’s too much of a rip-off. You get quotes, but they never emphasize the fees. The fees remain hidden.</p> <p>But landline we do have. There’s a line burial issue that has been open since early July. Verizon is the telco handling this. We’ll see if the job gets finished before the ground freezes.</p> <p>A tip when calling for repair (or when faced with voicemail for whatever reason), do not respond until prompted to request a live person. Even then wait if you can for the opportunity to press a button to get a live person. Refuse to coöperate with this scheme designed to discourage you from making contact with these so-called service companies. Persevere!</p> We still don’t have mobile or broadband service. It’s too much of a rip-off. You get quotes, but they never emphasize the fees. The fees remain hidden.

But landline we do have. There’s a line burial issue that has been open since early July. Verizon is the telco handling this. We’ll see if the job gets finished before the ground freezes.

A tip when calling for repair (or when faced with voicemail for whatever reason), do not respond until prompted to request a live person. Even then wait if you can for the opportunity to press a button to get a live person. Refuse to coöperate with this scheme designed to discourage you from making contact with these so-called service companies. Persevere!

]]> By: MarkH http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024275 MarkH Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:39:26 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024275 <p><a href="#comment-1023562"><em>radiofreewill @ 15</em></a></p> <blockquote><p>Speaking of Corruption…</p> <p>Who’s advertising on Hannity today?</p> <p>Big Oil wants Sean’s audience to know that the Dems are going to create all kinds of gas and energy taxes that will lead to 70’s style long gas lines. </p> <p>That’s right, Big Oil wants the Gooper Sheep to oppose any new taxes on Big Oil, so the Sheep won’t have to suffer waiting in line for gas.</p></blockquote> <p>Personally, I wouldn’t favor such taxes at the pump either. Why bug the consumer with tax issues?</p> <p>I’d prefer to offer them alternatives. After all, they say ‘competition is good’. The government plan John Edwards has for health care reform could be a model: the government doesn’t change the private system, it just offers an alternative to compete with them. The result is more options for the consumer, so they are more likely to get what they want and need and possibly with the competition the prices will be restrained by the big giant invisible hand of economics.</p> <p>Competition IS good!</p> <p>John Edwards — Leadership for a more competitive America</p> radiofreewill @ 15

Speaking of Corruption…

Who’s advertising on Hannity today?

Big Oil wants Sean’s audience to know that the Dems are going to create all kinds of gas and energy taxes that will lead to 70’s style long gas lines.

That’s right, Big Oil wants the Gooper Sheep to oppose any new taxes on Big Oil, so the Sheep won’t have to suffer waiting in line for gas.

Personally, I wouldn’t favor such taxes at the pump either. Why bug the consumer with tax issues?

I’d prefer to offer them alternatives. After all, they say ‘competition is good’. The government plan John Edwards has for health care reform could be a model: the government doesn’t change the private system, it just offers an alternative to compete with them. The result is more options for the consumer, so they are more likely to get what they want and need and possibly with the competition the prices will be restrained by the big giant invisible hand of economics.

Competition IS good!

John Edwards — Leadership for a more competitive America

]]> By: Wess http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024170 Wess Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:07:43 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024170 <p>As much as I like the work Jane has done, I do wonder at where she is coming from at times. </p> <p>WHY?…WHY did she go with this company in the first place??</p> <p>C’mon folks …. Give these large Corporations that we so often complain about NO DAMN BUSINESS at all !!!!! </p> <p>If we are to ever have any real affect on these large corporations and the shonky services they provide then we <b>ALL</b> need to stick to our guns and not use them. </p> <p>Don’t join up with them and then go on to complain that they their service sucks. I bet Jane has written more than a few pieces on the evils of that particular phone company but then goes on to sign a contract with them???<br /> PLEASE… just give them NOTHING in the first place.</p> <p>I try very hard to keep the standards I set for others.<br /> If I’m going to call George W Bush a Liar and a Hypocrite then I try my best not to lie or be hypocritical. If I am going to complain about a phone company then I try very VERY hard to never <b>ever</b> give them any of my money… EVER!!</p> As much as I like the work Jane has done, I do wonder at where she is coming from at times.

WHY?…WHY did she go with this company in the first place??

C’mon folks …. Give these large Corporations that we so often complain about NO DAMN BUSINESS at all !!!!!

If we are to ever have any real affect on these large corporations and the shonky services they provide then we ALL need to stick to our guns and not use them.

Don’t join up with them and then go on to complain that they their service sucks. I bet Jane has written more than a few pieces on the evils of that particular phone company but then goes on to sign a contract with them???
PLEASE… just give them NOTHING in the first place.

I try very hard to keep the standards I set for others.
If I’m going to call George W Bush a Liar and a Hypocrite then I try my best not to lie or be hypocritical. If I am going to complain about a phone company then I try very VERY hard to never ever give them any of my money… EVER!!

]]> By: Sunlight http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024102 Sunlight Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:47:49 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024102 <p>Back in the day of DSL — call it four years ago — I tried an AT&T plan. The plan charged me after I made a certain number of phone calls. Luckily for me I bought their DSL equipment and used it per their instructions. Nonetheless this equipment made 50,000 automatic phone calls in 5 weeks, partly due to the fault of the ISP (this was before AT&T’s DSL integrated with Yahoo!). AT&T charged me $1,800 for the 50,000 phone calls, and I refused to pay. They dropped the matter after 18 months — I threatened to tell the producers of the local “Shame on You” TV show if they insisted on payment. This is the short version, omitting many calls and letters on my part.</p> Back in the day of DSL — call it four years ago — I tried an AT&T plan. The plan charged me after I made a certain number of phone calls. Luckily for me I bought their DSL equipment and used it per their instructions. Nonetheless this equipment made 50,000 automatic phone calls in 5 weeks, partly due to the fault of the ISP (this was before AT&T’s DSL integrated with Yahoo!). AT&T charged me $1,800 for the 50,000 phone calls, and I refused to pay. They dropped the matter after 18 months — I threatened to tell the producers of the local “Shame on You” TV show if they insisted on payment. This is the short version, omitting many calls and letters on my part.

]]> By: Dalkenshield http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024076 Dalkenshield Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:40:45 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024076 <p>Dish Network–I was going to write a coupla paragraphs about being in Hell with Dish Network (the satellite telly company) and how they insisted I had not quit them and charged me month after month and how just finding the number to call was Hell and how I had to get through 3 layers of “customer service reps” to make even one complaint, but I’m weary of telling anecdotes about how awful things are and I’m reaching for my axe instead and my six-shooter and my trusty samurai sword. Tarred of bein’ lied to, sick ‘n tarred of the corporatocratic Nazzi liars I see ever stinkin’ goshdang day in this country.</p> Dish Network–I was going to write a coupla paragraphs about being in Hell with Dish Network (the satellite telly company) and how they insisted I had not quit them and charged me month after month and how just finding the number to call was Hell and how I had to get through 3 layers of “customer service reps” to make even one complaint, but I’m weary of telling anecdotes about how awful things are and I’m reaching for my axe instead and my six-shooter and my trusty samurai sword. Tarred of bein’ lied to, sick ‘n tarred of the corporatocratic Nazzi liars I see ever stinkin’ goshdang day in this country.

]]> By: Adams http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024065 Adams Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:37:39 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1024065 <p>I have gone to Working Assets for all my business and personal cell and LD accounts. They use someone else’s system (Sprint, I think) but what you’re buying is service. Yes, I’ve had some minor billing problems, but a nice person comes on the line quickly and fixes the problem.</p> <p>Bonus 1 - they support (e.g. work actively for) progressive causes.</p> <p>Bonus 2 - free pints of Ben & Jerry’s</p> <p>It’s like having a friend who owns a telecom business.</p> I have gone to Working Assets for all my business and personal cell and LD accounts. They use someone else’s system (Sprint, I think) but what you’re buying is service. Yes, I’ve had some minor billing problems, but a nice person comes on the line quickly and fixes the problem.

Bonus 1 – they support (e.g. work actively for) progressive causes.

Bonus 2 – free pints of Ben & Jerry’s

It’s like having a friend who owns a telecom business.

]]> By: technicolor http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1023994 technicolor Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:16:06 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/09/the-utter-corruption-of-the-us-telecom-industry/#comment-1023994 <p>I had Verizon for my cell phone service for several years and my voice mail worked for about one month out of that whole time. Kept calling them to fix it, would work for a day or two, then nada. Also had two phones stolen which required me to pony up hundreds for a new phone. Finally got rid of the phone and became wonderfully unreachable 24/7 for a number of years.</p> <p>Last year, after a flat tire, and hitting a deer on the commute home I decided a phone was a necessity. Found a great deal with Virgin Mobile. $29 phone at target, pre-pay plan at 18 cents per minute, $20 contribution every three months. Works like a charm as only a few family members/friends have the number.</p> <p>Other than above mention family/friends, the only numbers programmed into the phone are Clinton and Schumer so I can always reach out and touch them about certain legislation :-)</p> I had Verizon for my cell phone service for several years and my voice mail worked for about one month out of that whole time. Kept calling them to fix it, would work for a day or two, then nada. Also had two phones stolen which required me to pony up hundreds for a new phone. Finally got rid of the phone and became wonderfully unreachable 24/7 for a number of years.

Last year, after a flat tire, and hitting a deer on the commute home I decided a phone was a necessity. Found a great deal with Virgin Mobile. $29 phone at target, pre-pay plan at 18 cents per minute, $20 contribution every three months. Works like a charm as only a few family members/friends have the number.

Other than above mention family/friends, the only numbers programmed into the phone are Clinton and Schumer so I can always reach out and touch them about certain legislation :-)

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