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| Telecom news, including scams and ripoffs, lawsuits and product info |
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Category : Telecom & Wireless
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Researcher: Cell Phones 'More Dangerous Than Smoking'
Millions of deaths could result over the long term.
FCC Releases Broadband Report, Admits Data is Faulty
But agency proclaims U.S. broadband competition is healthy.
Verizon Wins Wireless Spectrum Auction
Company forced to open network to all devices.
Feds Settle with BSG/ZPDI/Billing Concepts
FTC trying to rein in massive 'cramming' operations.
AT&T Agrees to Refund Some Ringtone Charges
Company pledges to police Internet advertising more closely.
Cell Phones May Provide False Sense Of Security
Study finds cell-carrying students take more chances.
Comcast Blocks Public From FCC Hearing
Cable company pays thugs to keep public out of public hearing.
States Asked to Probe AT&T U-Verse Explosions
Equipment cabinets a threat to life and property, real estate brokers claim.
Congress Gets Net Neutrality Legislation
Bill would bar ISPs from blocking or delaying content.
Congress Makes 'Do Not Call' List Permanent
New bill prohibits removal from registry.
FCC Finds Plenty of Wireless Competition
Wireless services available to 99% of Americans, agency claims.
FCC Not Ready to Pry Open Wireless Networks
But agency warns carriers its plans could change.
Time Warner To Test Metered Pricing For Broadband
Leaked memo reveals testing of new price scheme in Texas town.
MySpace Agrees To Toughen Security For Young Users
Abuse-reporting to be made easier; age verification tools studied.
MySpace Harassment Case Takes Odd Turn
Localities looking at 'cyber-harassment' laws.
House Committee To Probe FCC
FCC instructed to retain e-mail records for use by investigators.
FCC To Investigate Comcast For Blocking Net Traffic
Decision could shape future of net neutrality legislation.
PeoplePC Settles Deceptive Marketing Case
Earthlink subsidiary will refund hidden charges.
Driving While Phoning Gums Up Traffic, Study Finds
Distracted drivers slower to react.
Video Professor Drops Subpoena, Goes After Wikipedia Users
Comcast protects its customers, Wikipedia surrenders.
Sprint Removes Three Fees, Adds Two New Ones
Company claims new charges will 'defray costs.'
Phone Pretexters Get Off Cheap
FTC settles with company that sold consumer calling records.
Losing Your Cell Phone Could Cost More Than You Think
Consumers should treat phones like credit cards.
Google Will Bid In Wireless Spectrum Auction
Tech giant will 'put our money where our principles are,' CEO says.
Verizon Wireless Opens Network to All Devices, Software
The 'walled garden' will be no more.
iTunes Upgrade Hits Sour Note With Users
Music disappears, iPod transfers fail.
Comcast Sued Over Internet Blocking
Lawsuit alleges deceptive marketing and misleading of customers.
FCC Chief Seeks New Restrictions On Cable TV
Stepped-up regulation comes as telecoms turn up the heat on cable.
Senate, FCC Chairman Spar Over Media Consolidation
Land-grab attitude permeates Washington as elections loom.
Sprint, T-Mobile Prorate Termination Fees
Last of four major carriers to adopt customer-friendly policies.
Manhunt 2: Pushing the Limit of Gore and Violence
Video games deliver new levels of realism and sadism.
Verizon Overrides Internet Searches With Its Own Results
Web search "tinkering" raises net neutrality concerns.
FCC Set to Outlaw Exclusive Cable Deals
Telecoms win; landlords, cable companies lose.
Sprint Settles Lawsuit, Will Unlock California Phones
Customers will be able to use their phones with other carriers.
AT&T Charging Fire Victims For Toasted Satellite Dish
San Diego couple didn't grab their dish as they evacuated.
Verizon Agrees to Stop 'Unlimited' Claims
Settlement with New York applies to wireless broadband customers nationwide.
FTC Vows Not To Purge Numbers from Do Not Call List
Agency backtracks, says consumers won't need to reregister.
Prepaid Wireless Plans Can Save Time & Money
But read the fine print and be sure you know what you're buying.
Indiana Sues Buzz Telecom For Slamming
Company accused of billing customers without their consent.
California Supreme Court OKs T-Mobile Class Action
Another chink in the Early Termination Fee armor.
AT&T Changes Terms Of Service After Outcry
Company adds 'freedom of expression' language.
AT&T Agrees to New Stolen Cell Phone Rules
Other states, companies may adopt California pact.
Texas Rounds Up 14 Sex Offenders on MySpace
Convicted offenders illegally created profiles on social networking site.
House Democrats Probe Warrantless Surveillance
Letters sent to telecoms wanting information on wiretapping program.
Verizon Wireless Changes Contract Policy
Congress, FCC mulling new rules that would limit early termination fees.
Minnesota Sues Sprint Nextel for 'Tricking' Customers
Company extended contracts without permission, state charges.
Verizon's Abortion Block Raises Net Neutrality Concerns
Telecom reverses course, blames "incorrect interpretation" of its policies.
Study Finds Little Short-Term Cell Phone Health Risk
More research needed to measure long-term effects, however.
Verizon Wireless Challenges Spectrum Auction Rules
Telecom giant opposes "open access" conditions supported by Google.
FCC, Congress May Limit Cable, Cell Phone Termination Fees
Rising tide of consumer discontent rocks industry's boat.
XM/Sirius Merger Gets a Boost
Former FCC chair says merger would spark competition.
Apple Cuts Price of Most Expensive iPhone
Offers $100 credit to early adopters.
Microsoft Maintains its Monopoly, States Argue
Report finds court-imposed remedies inadequate.
AT&T Adds Parental Controls To Mobile Phones
Parents can limit minutes, block calls to objectionable numbers.
AT&T Slammed Over Rebate Policies
Consumers looking for rebate get a debit card instead.
Escape from Cell Phone Purgatory
How to get out of your cell phone contract without paying a termination fee.
Comcast Cuts Off Heavy Internet Users
Customers complain bandwidth limits are secret.
Ohio Man's Dell Laptop Bursts into Flames
Latest in a series of laptop fires blamed on lithium-ion batteries.
Appeals Court Shreds AT&T Arbitration Clause
Finds cell phone contracts that deny consumers the right to sue "unconscionable".
Class Action Against eBay
Suit alleges deceptive auction practices.
Internet Addiction Redefined, Treatment Outlined
Study finds 10% of all Internet surfers suffer from addiction.
Many Facebook Users Compromise Own Identities
Careless consumers make identity theft easy, study finds.
FCC Passes Compromise Rules For Wireless Spectrum Auction
Google had pressed for an "open" system that gave consumers maximum choice; AT&T objected.
Virus Spreading Through Emailed Screensaver
"Realy cool" screensaver is really a dangerous rootkit.
The 411 on Free 411
Information calls don't have to be expensive.
Court OKs Rebate Lawsuit against Cingular/AT&T
Company advertises "rebate" but sends "reward card."
Security Flaw Found In iPhone
Hackers can take control of the phone and get access to personal information.
Google, AT&T Square Off Over Wireless Broadband
Google wants "open" system that encourages innovation, competition.
Senate Wants Better Data On Broadband Deployment
Lobbyists fudging the numbers, some activists claim.
SunRocket Fizzles
Second-largest standalone Internet telephone provider abruptly closes its doors.
Dead Air Ahead: Court Denies Webcasters' Appeal
Internet radio faces huge royalty rate hike.
Congress Slams AT&T Over iPhone Contract, Fees
Subscribers pay high price for phone, then face stiff termination fees.
Verizon Signs Florida Anti-Cramming Agreement
AT&T, Embarq earlier agreed to similar terms.
AOL Pays $3 Million, Promises to Clean Up Cancellation Process
AOL also agrees to straighten out its billing practices for add-on accounts.
Apple Denies iPhone Nano Reports
Reports from Asia indicate cheaper iPhone may be in the works.
Sprint: Don't Call Us, We'll Call You
Sprint cuts off service to customers who call customer service too often.
New Jersey Targets Sex Offenders With MySpace Profiles
More than half were on probation and can be hit with tougher penalties.
iPhone Snags Reported
Some customers encounter activation problems.
Apple Readies iPhone For Release
Expensive, unproven gadget relies on sleek styling, fervent fans.
NY Consumer Group Disputes Frontier Calling Plan Ad
Company advertises "nationwide" phone package for $29.99 when the monthly cost is really $39.99.
Embarq Agreement Protects Florida Consumers from Cramming
Local telephone company agrees to crack down on crammers.
Google Wins a Round Against Microsoft
Microsoft agrees to make changes in "instant search" function in Windows Vista.
FBI Finds 1 Million PC’s Have Been Hijacked
Most users don't have a clue their machine's been taken over.
Wireless Spectrum May Hold Key To Net Neutrality
Transition to digital television opens up space that could support wireless broadband.
House Passes New Anti-Spyware Bill
Bill prohibits consumers from suing spyware distributors.
New York Sues Dell on Consumer Fraud Charges
Suit accuses Dell of false advertising, bait and switch, failure to provide promised services.
Wireless Hackers Suspected In TJ Maxx Breach
Investigators think "drive-by" hackers snatched customer data from stores.
Senate Moves Ahead with Data Breach Bills
Critics say measures are weaker than some state laws they would replace.
That Cingular Feeling
Spurned by Cingular, consumer creates a music video to air his grievance.
Dell Breaks Microsoft Stranglehold On PCs
Coming soon from Round Rock: Linux-based Ubuntu, a free open-source operating system.
How Safe Is That Free Wi-Fi Connection?
"Hotspots" at airports, hotels and restaurants are handy -- but are they safe?
FCC Report Recommends More Cable Choices
Eliminating "bundling" would reduce costs and increase choice, report finds.
Feds Slam InPhonic/WireFly, Soyo for Deceptive Rebate Practices
Companies ordered to reimburse consumers for overdue rebates.
Net Neutrality Coalition Marks a Milestone
Public awareness, pressure on Congress has kept more draconian measures at bay.
Acer Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries
Sony-made cells can cause overheating and possibly fires.
Appeals Court Gives Vonage a Reprieve
Internet phone company can keep signing new customers while its appeal is pending.
Congress May Outlaw Spyware
House committee considers Spy Act, which would outlaw malicious spyware programs.
FCC Takes a Closer Look at Broadband Deployment
New inquiry looks at whether broadband is adequately deployed in rural areas.
Telcos Lift Block On FreeConference.Com
Oft-convicted AT&T labels free-conference-call service a "scam."
Vonage CEO Exits as Company Struggles to Survive
Verizon's court victory puts Vonage on the ropes.
Best Buy Sued Over "Shower Cam"
Geek Squad technician allegedly planted camera in bathroom.
Groups Urge FCC To Create Wireless Broadband Competition
Upcoming spectrum auction creates opportunity for FCC to push the telecom companies away from the trough.
Vonage Gets a Reprieve but its Future is Murky
Appeals court stays earlier decision ordering the company to stop signing new customers.
Judge Orders Vonage to Stop Signing New Customers
Decision in Verizon patent case is a major blow to Internet phone company.
Georgia Suspends Buzz Telecom's Operating Certificate
Indiana attorney general investigating the company as consumer complaints pour in.
FCC Says No To Airborne Cell Phone Use
At least for now, agency won't lift ban on cells aloft.
Microsoft Issues Patch To Plug Seven New Windows Holes
"Critical" update needed to close animated cursor vulnerability.
FCC Strengthens Rules For Phone Privacy
New rules intended to curb "pretexting."
Texas Cites RadioShack for Exposing Customers to Identity Theft
Texas store left customer documents unprotected in trash cans, state charges.
Businesses Back Off RFID
Consumer backlash discourages spy chip promoters.
Batteries Could Run on Sugar
New technology could cut risk of laptop, cell phone fires.
FCC Takes Another Look at Net Neutrality
Under fire from consumers, agency opens inquiry into Internet access.
Feds Agree To Rethink Internet Radio Royalties
Web broadcasters and NPR say royalty fee increase threatenes their existence.
XM-Sirius Merger May Encounter Technical Difficulties
Companies don't have enough spectrum space to combine programming as they have promised under oath.
TracFone Pays $50,000 for Violating Missouri's Do Not Call Law
Company called consumers on the Do Not Call list, left recorded messages.
MacBook Battery Suspected in Australian Fire
Latest incident involving lithium ion batteries widely used in cell phones and laptops.
FCC Chair Grilled By Congress Over Favorable Treatment of AT&T, Verizon
Republican-led commission gets a rocky reception in the Democratic-led Congress.
Study: Ending Net Neutrality Would Hurt Consumers
Telephone and cable providers would be the big winners.
FCC Rolls Out New Rules On Video Franchising
Verizon, AT&T get fast track around franchise rules that bind cable companies.
The End Of Internet Radio As We Know It
Ruling by federal copyright board may mean the end of most music radio on the Internet.
Spam E-mail Increases Worldwide
Russia, China, U.S. are major sources of spam.
InPhonic Settles With D.C.
Wireless phone dealer to pay unspecified restitution to consumers.
Mysterious Computer Theft Hits Mystery Shopping Company
Company takes its time telling workers their personal data was taken.
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