Telecommunications

Exemption will assist with rollout of broadband to rural communities

10/17/2007 -- In testimony today before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve an exemption that relieves small cable operators and low capacity cable systems from a mandatory broadcast signal dual carriage order that the FCC adopted in September.    » read more »

October 15, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today said the state Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) - in a landmark victory - has agreed that AT&T's U-Verse must be regulated as a cable service, which will ensure real cable competition throughout Connecticut.

In light of a U.S. District Court ruling, in which Blumenthal's office has fought aggressively to uphold, the DPUC said AT&T must apply for a full cable franchise license before the year's end in order to provide its "U-Verse" Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service.    » read more »

October 10, 2007 -- SAN FRANCISCO -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a “groundbreaking settlement” with AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular) that will prohibit the cell phone carrier from charging customers for any calls made after their phones are lost or stolen. Brown alleged that the company violated California law, including Public Utilities Code section 2890, which bars phone companies from charging customers for unauthorized services.

“No cell phone company should profit from calls made by thieves or unauthorized users,” Brown said.    » read more »

Seeks Restitution for customers whose telephone services were switched without permission

October 5, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter has filed a lawsuit against a Merrillville business and its owners claiming customers were billed for telecommunication services without their knowledge or consent, a practice known as “slamming”. Buzz Telecom also operated as Business Options and replaced itself as the consumers’ chosen telephone service provider without prior permission. The lawsuit names the company’s owners, Kurtis and Keanan Kintzel.    » read more »

October 1, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said today that he will ask the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) to reject a franchise application by AT&T's internet television service.    » read more »

Free Captioning Service Available to Maine Residents Through Maine Relay Service

October 1, 2007 -- When a person starts to lose his or her hearing, telephone conversations can become difficult and frustrating—and often lead to avoiding the phone altogether.

Thanks to advancements in technology—and a free service provided through the State of Maine—residents of Maine who have a hearing loss can enjoy trouble-free telephone conversations with absolute confidence.

It’s called “captioned telephone”—or CapTel®.    » read more »

Company falsely marketed its services and misrepresented contractual responsibilities

October 1, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a Brevard County company alleging it engaged in deceptive marketing practices. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division determined the company was using unsolicited faxes to seek business and subsequently conducting their business practices in an unfair manner.    » read more »

September 28, 2007 -- SEATTLE – A reminder for everyone who signed up for the national Do Not Call Registry back in 2003 when it was created: It’s time to renew your spot on the list if you want to continue to stay off of telemarketers’ phone lists. Numbers are flushed after five years. About half of the 148 million numbers on the nationwide registry are due to fall off the list starting in June.

While you’re renewing your phone listing, you might also want to remove your address from junk mail lists. Here’s how to reduce both unwanted phone calls and mail:    » read more »

September 28, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is assuring Indiana Do Not Call registrants that they do not need to re-register their phone number in order to continue receiving the benefits of the law, unlike the National Do Not Call registry which requires re-registration five years after the initial registration.    » read more »

September 20, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE — Florida Governor Charlie Crist today commended AT&T Florida for announcing a $750 million investment in Florida’s advanced communications infrastructure. The investment is a direct result of the passage of the 2007 Consumer Choice Act sponsored by Senator Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) and Representative Trey Traviesa (R-Tampa).    » read more »

September 18, 2007 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sent a letter today to United States Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Thomas O. Barnett asking that the United States Department of Justice block the proposed merger between XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio. Barnett heads the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, which has the authority to challenge acquisitions and mergers.    » read more »

DTech Billing Service, L.L.C. cited for threatening phone calls, dubious charges

September 18, 2007 -- FORT WORTH – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged a Tarrant County-based collection firm with attempting to unlawfully collect invalid debts from consumers nationwide. The Attorney General's enforcement action seeks a permanent injunction against DTech Billing Service, L.L.C., whose illegal collection practices include threatening telephone calls, deceptive mailers and excessive fees and charges.    » read more »

09/18/2007 -- North Carolina Attorney General Drew Edmondson today said consumers who have signed up for the state’s Don’t Call List will remain on the list until they request otherwise, despite recent reports to the contrary.

Edmondson’s comments came in response to recent reports that some state Don’t Call Lists will soon be expiring. But Edmondson said that’s not the case in Oklahoma.    » read more »

September 13, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has ruled in favor of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter in a case that challenged his authority to enforce the state’s automated dialing statute in state court. The law gives Hoosiers the ability to decide whether or not to receive certain pre-recorded telephone messages.

The ruling issued this week orders the United State’s District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Virginia-based telemarketer FreeEats.com against Carter.    » read more »

September 5, 2007 -- At the State Police Academy in Meriden, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today unveiled a new $1 million radio system that enables first responders across the state to communicate in emergency situations. The technology, called Cross Band, plugs into existing police radio systems. The new system will keep portable radios synchronized.    » read more »