Site Informs About Cell Phone Issues, Including How to Complain About Poor Service
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
AUSTIN, TX - Consumers Union (CU) today announced the launch of a new web site, Wireless Watchdog. Available at www.consumersunion.org/wireless, the site will help frustrated consumers turn up the volume on their complaints and aggravations with wireless service.
Through the site, consumers can easily get shopping advice, file complaints about service with their carrier, and send messages to government regulators calling for reform in the wireless market. Consumers are also invited to tell CU about their experiences-- good or bad-- and their suggestions for improving wireless service.
CU is calling on the wireless industry and regulators to improve the nuts and bolts of wireless service that consumers depend on, including the ability to successfully make a call without dead zones, busy signals or dropped calls. Most importantly, consumers need their cell phones to connect to 911 in an emergency. Unfortunately, a recent Consumer Reports study, which can be accessed on CU's Wireless Watchdog web site, found that many consumers had trouble reaching a 911 operator in emergencies.
CU is also making several proposals that would enhance consumers' abilities to shop for the best cell phone deals. First, CU is proposing an Easy-To-Compare Cell Plan chart that allows consumers to compare offers on an "apples to apples" basis through standardized disclosure of prices and terms. Second, consumers would have more freedom to shop for better deals if they had the ability to retain their phone number and handset when switching carriers. "Number portability" for wireless service is slated to take effect this coming November, but the industry is already pushing for yet another delay of that deadline.
Wireless Watchdog also provides cell phone shopping tips, information about service and safety, and information that will help consumers decide if it makes sense for them to "cut the cord" by dropping traditional landline service and instead go completely wireless.
