UCAN

Power Net Global (PNG) has changed. UCAN is no longer including the option of using Power Net Global (PNG).  In 2002, UCAN did a consumer guide and a newsletter showing PNG as a great option for long distance phone service because not only did UCAN members get installation fees waived, but there were NO monthly fees for customers using this service.  The company now charges minimum monthly usage fees and a .99 cent monthly fee.  To top things off, PNG recently started rounding up each call to the nearest minute instead of the six-second increcements it use to use.  The bottom line is that there are better deals out there for consumers!

Los Angeles Times - Consumer columnist David Lazarus reports on new strategies being developed by cable and telecom companies that may not be as beneficial to consumers as the companies predict.  MORE

Telecom political action groups gave twice as much money to Democrats who switched from opposing to supporting legal amnesty to Telecoms that aided the government's warrantless wiretapping program. More.

Using a cell phone without hands-free equipment while driving is now unlawful. However, studies show that hands-free driving isn't necessarily any safer than having a cell phone glued to your ear, and that simply talking on any phone is as dangerous as driving drunk. Yet oddly, talking to a fellow passenger while driving or listening to the radio does not seem to be a significant cause of accidents. Why? Is it possible that driving poorly while talking on the phone is a function of age? More.

California law prohibiting handheld cell phone usage takes effect July 1st. This blog explains the details, limitations, and exceptions to the law.

Hands off the cell phone or pay the fine is expressed in a San Diego Union Tribune article written by staff writer Pauline Repard.  She presents the difference in rules for teens and adults and points out how ironic it is that legally adult drivers are not barred from sending text messages even though they are barred from talking on the phone while driving. 

Phone Fraud on the Prowl: LawyersandSettlements.com interviews UCAN Advocate Sue Macomber urges consumers to inspect for their phone bills for cramming - a form of white collar phone billing fraud. READ MORE

An interesting article in Sunday's New York Times sheds light on a recent strategy that Internet service providers have been putting into motion. More.

On April 24th, the California Public Utility's Commission, made a ruling on AT&T Tariff Rule 12 that will have a significant impact on AT&T marketing abilities. The ruling gave validity to Advice Letters 28800 and 28982 written in 2006 by AT&T. Read more.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 9, 2008 - EVER NOTICE a mysterious charge on your cell phone bill for ringtones, premium text messaging or other mobile content you didn't authorize? Read more.