Consumer Information for Telecommunications and Internet

The best consumer is an educated one. It is our goal to give you the information you need to make intelligent decisions regarding your telecommunication and Internet services. We offer a variety of services designed to save you money, and to compliment those services, we've put together a collection of informational articles designed to help you make the best choices for your telephone, cellular, and Internet services. We've divided them into categories for your convenience. Check back regularly for additional information.

Today's Telecom Tip

Check back daily for a new telecom tip!

Helpful Pages

Telephone Services Information

» Calling Home - What You Should Know - A Guide for the US MIlitary
When you or a loved one are deployed overseas, you'll want to stay in touch with family and friends. Read more...

» Make Free Directory Assistance Calls
No need to pay $1 - $2 for directory assistance. New program gives you free information calls. Read more. . .

» Tips for Making International Phone Calls
Good information for saving money on international phone calls. Use the handy country code lookup tool. Read more. . .

» VoIP - Voice Over Internet Protocol
What is VoIP and how can you use it to make phone calls? Read more. . .

» Toll Free Voicemail RSVP for Weddings and other Special Occasions
How to get a free toll free number to point to a free voicemail service. Read more. . .

» Prepaid Calling Cards
What is a prepaid calling card and how do I use one? Read more. . .

» USF - Universal Service Fund Fee Increases
All telecommunications companies that provide service between states must contribute to the Universal Service Fund. Read more. . .

» New "Single Bill" Fees on Phone Bills
If you are billed for both local and long distance service on one phone bill, you may soon be charged a fee by your long distance provider for this convenience. Read more. . .

» "Cramming" - Unauthorized, Deceptive or Misleading Charges on Your Telephone Bill
"Cramming" is the practice of placing unauthorized, misleading, or deceptive charges on your telephone bill. Read more. . .

» "Slamming" - When Your Telephone Service is Switched Without Your Permission
"Slamming" is the illegal practice of changing a consumer’s telephone service without permission. Read more. . .

» Long Distance Solutions for Shared Housing Situations
Roommates! - Tired of having a beloved roommate(s) run up large phone bills without taking responsibility for their calls? Read more. . .

» Long Distance Solutions for College Students
College Students - Call home for free! Read more. . .

» Understanding Your Phone Bill
Consumer confusion over telephone bills has significantly contributed to the growth of slamming. Read more. . .

» Keeping Your Phone Number When You Change Your Service Provider
Telephone number portability is a service that provides residential and business telephone customers with the ability to retain, at the same location, their existing local telephone numbers. Read more. . .

» What Does Your Telephone Company Know About You?
Your local, long distance, and cellular telephone company knows what numbers you call, how often you call them. Read more. . .

Cellular Phones Information

» What You Should Know About Wireless Phones
There are essentially two types of coverage: analog and digital. Calls made on digital networks are clearer, more secure. Read more. . .

» Accidental 911 Calls From Wireless Phones Pose Risk to Public Safety
Individual 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) have estimated that between 25 and 70% of their wireless calls are unintentional. Read more. . .

» Are You Fed Up with Lousy Cell Phone Service?
Consumer complaints about coverage, dead zones, static, dropped calls are so familiar, the carriers have created advertising campaigns poking fun at poor call quality. Read more. . .

Internet Information

» AOL Drops Broadband Service
Let us help you find a new broadband service provider by comparing all options available in your area. Read more. . .

» How to Cancel AOL
How to switch from AOL to an inexpensive Internet Service Provider (ISP) Read more. . .

» Are You Tangled in AOL's Web?
Do want to cancel your AOL but you're not sure how to make the switch? This articles covers all the details of switching from AOL to a cheaper dial-up ISP Read more. . .

» Broadband Internet - FAQ
This Web page has been designed to answer some of our most frequently asked questions about broadband. Read more. . .

» Broadband - Cable or DSL?
Like many people, you may be thinking of upgrading your dial up Internet service to broadband. But should you go with DSL or Cable? Read more. . .

Telephone and Internet Scams

» Mexico Collect Call Scam
The FCC has learned of a telephone scam that originates in Mexico and apparently targets people in Hispanic communities. Read more. . .

» Telemarketing Scam
Your phone rings in the middle of dinner. You race to answer it, but the caller is neither a friend nor family member. It’s a stranger – a telemarketer, to be exact - trying to sell you a product or service. Read more. . .

» 809 Phone Scam
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has become aware of a long distance phone scam that may lead consumers to inadvertently ring up high charges on their phone bills. Read More. . .

» Internet Modem Switch Scam
Consumers have informed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that they have been billed for international calls that occurred as a result of using local (domestic) Internet service providers to access Web sites. Read more. . .