Protecting Consumers in Communications

Proposed AT&T and T-Mobile Merger * Bill Shock and Mobile Plan Overages * Freedom to Choose Your Own Devices * Cramming *  Prison Phone Justice

Why This Matters

When activists from Egypt’s Tahrir Square and New York City’s Zuccotti Park protested, they used their mobile devices to get organized, grow their ranks, and document their activities for the world to see.  Job seekers rely on their mobile devices to take calls from potential employers, and land-line phones are still important for millions of people who use them to stay in touch with friends and family. Our telephones link us to the world, and allow us to shape it.  But telephone companies are charging consumers unaffordable rates and hidden fees, make our bills virtually impossible to understand, restrict our use of certain devices on their networks, and still fail to offer basic communications to parts of the U.S. 

Our Values

Members of the Media and Democracy Coalition believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable and mobile communications tools, and that owners of our communications networks should not interfere with any lawfully use of those networks.   

AT&T and T-Mobile Merger

Victory!  MADCo member organizations succeeded in killing the proposed deal that would have merged AT&T with T-Mobile.  AT&T announced it was dropping the deal on December 19, 2011.  This $39 billion dollar merger would have stifled innovation in the wireless market by taking out a low-cost national carrier, would have resulted in higher prices and less choice for consumers. Learn about how MADCo members fought and won against one of the most powerful companies in the world here.

Mobile Phone Bill Shock 

“Bill Shock” is a common complaint among consumers using mobile devices. It refers to the frequent, unexpected charges for overages people incur on their mobile phone bills. Members of the coalition and the public believe mobile service providers should send users a text message before they incur overage charges. Wireless providers have entered into a voluntary agreement with the FCC to implement these messages, which will help consumers avoid incurring charges they can’t pay. These reminders will begin before October 2012, and MADCo members will continue to push for FCC rules if mobile carriers don’t live up to their promises. Learn more about Bill Shock from Consumers Union.

Mobile Device Portability

MADCo members believe consumers should have the freedom to take any mobile device they purchase to use on any wireless company’s network. Currently, mobile network providers create exclusive deals with mobile handset providers and lock devices so they won’t work on certain networks. For example, AT&T and Verizon have exclusive deals with Apple to sell the I-Phone, meaning consumers who want to use the I-Phone a choice of only two carriers. This practice of “handset exclusivity” limits consumer choices, locks people into contracts and devices, and stifles innovation and competition among handset makers.  Visit the New America Foundation’s Wireless Future Program to earn more about efforts to give you the freedom to choose your own device.

Cramming and Truth-in-Billing 

Have you ever wondered about a vague and seemingly innocuous charge added to any of your communication bills? Sometimes, companies place additional charges onto bills that amount make them millions of dollars at the expense of unknowing consumers. This process is known as “Cramming.” Read more.

Prison Phone Justice

Everyone deserves access to communication tools; incarcerated people and their families are no exception. Yet it costs an average of $6 per minute for a phone call between a family member or friend and their incarcerated loved ones.  That’s because prisons and some telephone companies enter into deals for providing telephone service whereby the phone companies make massive profits and the prison gets a cut, all on the backs of vulnerable populations.   These high costs of communication cuts prisoners off from the outside world of families and friends, which has negative effects on the inmate’s ability to re-enter society upon release. We need action at the FCC to regulate the cost of these phone calls. Learn more about Prison Phone Justice from the United Church of Christ Office of Communication Inc..