Table of contents:

* 1 - Dish, DirecTV/AT&T, Time Warner Cable All Raising Rates In
  January - Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>
* 2 - AT&T Home Automation Works Wonders, But Will Cost You - Bill
  Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>
* 3 - Deadline for cramming claims coming up - Bill Horne
  <bill@horneQRM.net>
* 4 - AT&T offers spectrum repacking plans for upcoming 600 MHz
  incentive  auction - Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>

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Message-ID: <20151228004747.GA6213@telecom.csail.mit.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2015 19:47:47 -0500
From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>
Subject: Dish, DirecTV/AT&T, Time Warner Cable All Raising Rates In
 January

Happy New Year: Dish, DirecTV/AT&T, Time Warner Cable All Raising
Rates In January - Because They Can

For a bunch of the big cable and satellite companies, it does indeed
look like a very merry Christmas and a happy new year are on the
horizon 0 but consumers can be forgiven for feeling a lot more grinchy
about it. That's because all the new nickels, dimes, and dollars that
are going to line businesses' big virtual pockets are coming directly
from subscribers in the form of unasked-for price hikes.

Readers at the tech news site DSL Reports have spotted fee increase
notices for the new year from Dish, AT&T/DirecTV, and Time Warner
Cable in the last week, and nobody would be surprised to find other
cable companies following suit.

http://consumerist.com


--
Bill Horne
(Remove QRM from my email address to write to me directly)


------------------------------
Message-ID: <20151228003017.GA5972@telecom.csail.mit.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2015 19:30:17 -0500
From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>
Subject: AT&T Home Automation Works Wonders, But Will Cost You

THE GOOD - AT&T Digital Life offers legit security specs, plus
competitive home automation functionality. Inventing your own
automation programs reminds you why sci-fi writers dreamed up the
smart home in the first place.

THE BAD - Between the mandatory 2-year contract, potential costs and
contract renewals for upgrading equipment, and a hefty initial setup
fee, many people might have trouble justifying the expense.

http://www.cnet.com/products/at-t-digital-life/

--
Bill Horne
Moderator


------------------------------
Message-ID: <20151227233411.GA5930@telecom.csail.mit.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2015 18:34:11 -0500
From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>
Subject: Deadline for cramming claims coming up

The deadline to file claims against Verizon and Sprint for "Cramming"
is fast approaching.

HARTFORD, Conn. - Consumers are facing a deadline to claim refunds
from a $158 million federal settlement with Sprint and Verizon over
unauthorized charges placed on wireless phone bills.

The practice is known as "cramming." U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal,
D-Conn., a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, said the practice
has become widespread and causes substantial financial harm to
subscribers.

Websites have been set up for Sprint and Verizon customers so they can
seek restitution. The deadline to apply for a refund is December
31st. Claims can be made online or mailed.

http://www.cbsnews.com

--
Bill Horne
(Remove QRM from my emails address to write to me directly)


------------------------------
Message-ID: <20151228012644.GA6429@telecom.csail.mit.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2015 20:26:45 -0500
From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net>
Subject: AT&T offers spectrum repacking plans for upcoming 600 MHz
 incentive  auction

AT&T offers spectrum repacking plans for upcoming 600 MHz incentive auction

by Colin Gibbs

The carrier, which is expected to be the dominant bidder, discussed
the repacking process with FCC.

AT&T executives met with FCC officials last week to discuss the
repacking process for next year's incentive auction. It's the latest
indication the carrier intends to aggressively pursue TV broadcasters'
600 MHz spectrum at auction.

In an FCC filing, AT&T said its SVP of federal regulatory, Joan Marsh,
and three other representatives met with members of the commission's
Incentive Auction Task Force, Wireless Bureau and Media Bureau last
week. "The purpose of the meeting was to explore in more detail what
an organized, efficient and expeditions broadcaster repacking process
will entail," AT&T said in its filing.

http://www.fiercewireless.com

--
Bill Horne
Moderator


------------------------------

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End of telecom Digest Mon, 28 Dec 2015