Consumers Union

Consumer Groups Cheer DoJ's Move to Block AT&T Acquisition

Stevie Converse — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:18:59 -0400

Full article: TechWorld
Grant Gross
Several consumer and digital rights groups applauded the Department of Justice's opposition to AT&T's proposed acquisition of rival mobile carrier T-Mobile, with critics of the deal saying it would have hurt consumers. Even after AT&T spent millions of dollars to lobby in favor of the deal, the DOJ filed a lawsuit opposing the proposed $39 billion acquisition.

T-Mobile 'Direct Carrier Billing' Program Could Leave Consumers Vulnerable

Stevie Converse — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:27:18 -0400

Full article: PR Newswire
Consumers Union
T-Mobile's announcement that it will soon launch a new service that will enable its customers to purchase digital content using their smartphone, PC, or tablet and bill it to their phone accounts is just the latest development in emerging mobile payment services that raises concerns about consumer protections. Consumers need to be protected in the event of a billing error or if the goods they order aren't as promised or if they become victims of fraud.

Public Interest Community Responds to AT&T Filing

Stevie Converse — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:52:35 -0400

Full article: Benton Foundation
Kevin Taglang
After AT&T filed with the FCC its statement regarding its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA, the pubic interest community reacted. New America Foundation, Public Knowledge, Free Press and Consumers Union are in agreement that the merger will hurt consumers, limit choice and restrain innovation.

Consumers Union Warns Congress About AT&T Deal

Lindsy Embree — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:21:12 -0400

Full article: New York Times
Jenna Wortham
Consumers Union sent a letter to members of Congress warning of the potential impact of AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. The group said its main concern is the pricing differences between AT&T and T-Mobile wireless plans.

Consumers Union: Block AT&T, T-Mobile Deal

Lindsy Embree — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:06:18 -0400

Full article: National Journal
David Hatch
Consumers Union's stance on AT&T's proposed purchase of T-Mobile is clear: the transaction must be blocked. "I don't think there are really any conditions that could, at this point, alleviate the harms that would come out of the transaction," Parul Desai, policy council for Consumers Union, said.

Consumers Union Asks Verizon to Clarify iPhone Policy

Lindsy Embree — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:02:19 -0500

Full article: MediaPost
Mark Walsh
With an estimated 500,000 pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone sold in one day, there is ample pent-up demand for the Apple device on Verizon's network. But an issue hovering over the wider debut of the iPhone 4 is what happens if an iPhone 5 comes out this summer, as recent history would suggest? That's what Consumer's Union asked in a letter sent to Verizon.

Consumers Union Asks You to Say No to Comcast-NBC Deal

Lindsy Embree — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:47:27 -0500

Full article: The Consumerist
Chris Morran
With the clock still ticking on the proposed purchase of NBC Universal by Comcast, our benevolent benefactors at Consumers Union has launched a new website and advertising campaign to step up its efforts to alert the public to the perils of the deal.

Lies, Damned Lies, and Broadband Numbers

Stevie Converse — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:08:42 -0400

Full article: StoptheCap.com
Philip Dampier
A telecom industry front group acknowledged today American broadband in the last decade has not won any awards for speed or price, but if you just give the industry ten more years of deregulation, there will be more competition than ever to change that. But consumer groups wonder exactly how a duopoly will ever deliver world class service in the next ten years when it has spent the last ten hiking prices on slow speed broadband and now wants to limit or throttle usage.

U.S. Broadband Numbers Don't Lie, Just Confuse

Stevie Converse — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:51:01 -0400

Full article: National Public Radio
Joel Rose
Depending on whom you talk to, Internet service in the United States is doing fine or needs help. Big Internet service providers and public interest groups claim to have the numbers on their side. The fact is that 95 percent of Americans have access to broadband where they live, but when it comes to adoption or actually signing up for broadband at home, the number is much lower -- closer to 63 percent. And 96 percent of Americans can only get broadband from one or two companies. Without competition, prices go up and investment goes down.

International Summit for Community Wireless Networks

Jordan Berg — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:24:45 -0500

Start: 08/12/2010 - 00:00

End: 08/15/2010 - 00:00

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

The New America Foundation’s Open Technology Initiative, Tech Gate Vienna, the CUWiN Foundation, and the Acorn Active Media Foundation are pleased announce that the annual International Summit for Community Wireless Networks will take place in Vienna, Austria from August 12-15, 2010.