A Discussion with WTOP on Consumer Telephone Issues

Posted September 13th, 2010 by Keyla Hernandez-Ulloa

On September 9, 2010, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Shirley Rooker, Director and Consumer Reporter for the ‘Call For Action’ program, at the WTOP studios. The segment aired on WFED (1500 AM) on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 10:30pm but if you missed it you can listen to the segment on the left side of their website under Of Consuming Interest.  The interview was a great forum to provide an overview of and consumer tips on Lifeline Link-Up, bill shock and early termination fees.

The first topic discussed was Lifeline Link-Up. For eligible consumers, Lifeline provides a monthly discount on basic local telephone service.  Some consumers may also be eligible for Link-up - a one-time assistance that pays for part of the consumer’s connection or activation charge for new phone service.  Consumers might not be aware that they qualify for this assistance. Since eligibility requirements for these programs vary by state, consumers should contact their local telephone service provider or public utilities company for more information on these requirements.  A consumer can always visit www.fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL FCC for assistance.

Next, we discussed bill shock – the result of a sudden, unexpected increase in monthly mobile service bills. Bill shock can occur because of misunderstood advertising, unanticipated roaming, or data charges. Among the tips I provided are:

• Understand your calling pattern. By discussing your pattern with your service provider, the carrier may be able to provide a plan that meets your needs.
• Consider a prepaid phone if you have a low usage pattern of calls.
• Understand your roaming charges and confirm that your phone’s screen indicates when you are roaming.
  

The last topic covered was early termination fees (ETF). We discussed ways to avoid ETF:  

• Before signing the contract for a new service, ask the salesperson what the ETF will be and/or how it is prorated. 
• Consider purchasing the handset device at full price. 
• Ask for a trial period that allows cancelling the service without any penalties and/or ETF.
  

As the show was ending, we briefly touched upon tips for getting the broadband speed you need (ask about the contract and fees) and the various ways consumers can file an informal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

I enjoyed this opportunity to raise awareness on these topics and share the FCC’s tips that help empower consumers.

Spanish Version of the National Broadband Plan Release

Posted July 12th, 2010 by Keyla Hernandez-Ulloa

En un número creciente de hogares americanos se habla español, pero más de la mitad de todos los hispanos no tienen acceso a la banda ancha donde ellos viven.

Esta comunidad de habla hispana puede beneficiarse únicamente de acceso a la banda ancha, adopción, y conectividad. Y esa misma comunidad – como todos los americanos – no se le puede permitir que se quede atrás cuando se despliega el futuro de la banda ancha. 

Para dirigirse a éstas y muchas otras cuestiones sobre la banda ancha, la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC por sus siglas en inglés) entregó un plan nacional de banda ancha al Congreso. Titulada Creando un Estados Unidos Conectado: Plan Nacional de Banda Ancha, el plan presenta una agenda ambiciosa que proporciona recomendaciones para conectar a todos los americanos a la banda ancha. 

Hoy, este documento, titulado Creando un Estados Unidos Conectado: Plan Nacional de Banda Ancha, está disponible en un formato descargable para consumidores que hablan español.

La información en cuestiones como las barreras de costo para la adopción y utilización de banda ancha y la alfabetización digital es sumamente importante para la comunidad de habla hispana. Hoy, la FCC está orgullosa de entregar el plan directamente a la comunidad.

Si se ponen en práctica, las innovaciones de banda ancha, tendrán muchos efectos. En la asistencia médica, se reducirán los gastos poniendo instrumentos de salud digitales al alcance de los doctores y hospitales a través del país y eliminaran las barreras para el tratamiento del paciente. En la educación, la banda ancha promoverá la necesidad del alfabetismo digital para asegurar que los estudiantes completan sus estudios con éxito y continúan a hacerse miembros de un personal competitivo.

Estoy orgullosa del Plan Nacional de Banda Ancha de la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones y los animo a todos que lo lean. 

~~~~~

A growing number of American households speak Spanish, but a full half of all Hispanics don’t connect to broadband where they live.

This Spanish-speaking community can uniquely benefit from a full broadband access, adoption, and connectivity. And that same community – like all Americans – can’t afford to be left behind as the future of broadband in America unfolds.

To address these and many other issues surrounding broadband, the Federal Communications Commission delivered the National Broadband Plan to Congress. Titled Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan, the plan lays out an ambitious agenda that provides recommendations for connecting all Americans to affordable broadband .

Today, that document is available in a downloadable format for Spanish speaking consumers.

Information on issues such as the cost barriers to adoption and utilization and digitally literacy are vitally important for the Spanish-speaking community to have. Today, the FCC is proud to deliver the plan directly to that community. 

If implemented, the broadband innovations in this plan will reach far. In health care, they will lower costs by putting digital health tools in the hands of doctors and hospitals across the country and removing barriers for patient treatment. In education, broadband will promote the digital literacy skills students need to ensure that they successfully complete their studies and go on to become members of a competitive workforce.

I am proud of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan and encourage everyone to read it.

Cross-posted from Blogband.