---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <20190403112216.GA2574@telecom.csail.mit.edu> Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2019 11:22:16 +0000 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: Telecom analyst says approval for Sprint/T-Mobile deal less likely WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The odds that Sprint Corp and T-Mobile will win approval for their $26 billion merger has fallen to 33 percent from 50 percent because of the U.S. states- apparent willingness to fight the planned merger, MoffettNathanson Research said on Tuesday. The deal, which could be challenged by the Justice Department, Federal Communications Commission, state attorneys general or utilities commissions, has been criticized because it would reduce the number of national wireless carriers available to consumers from four to three. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sprint-corp-m-a-t-mobile-us/telecom-analyst-says-approval-for-sprint-t-mobile-deal-less-likely-idUSKCN1RE2ET -- Bill Horne (Remove QRM from my email address to write to me directly) ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20190403115442.GA2959@telecom.csail.mit.edu> Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2019 11:54:42 +0000 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: Sidney, NE residents hit with scam targeting Verizon customers By Will Wodka SIDNEY, Neb. - (KNEP) - Sidney Police Department is warning their residents of a scam plaguing Verizon Wireless customers. According to Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens, they received a call on Tuesday from a resident who said a text message was sent to them claiming to be Verizon Wireless. In the message, the scammer told the victim their account had been compromised and to type in a PIN number that is given. Chief Aikens says this is an attempt to gain the victim's Verizon account and purchase accessories and even phones. https://www.knopnews2.com/content/news/Verizon-Wireless-Carrier-scam-hits-Sidney-residents-508016511.html -- Bill Horne (Remove QRM from my email address to write to me directly) ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1a694e27-17e6-4386-a9ba-7dca59b06ea2@googlegroups.com> Date: 4 Apr 2019 12:53:54 -0700 From: HAncock4 <withheld@invalid.telecom-digest.org> Subject: Call center cited for wage abuses The Phila Inqr reported that a Malvern, PA, telemarketing firm docked pay for thousands of workers for restroom, snack, and water fountain breaks. The Labor Dept said more than 8,000 workers in 18 call centers in various states will split $1.9 million in back wages and damages. Personal Note: In my opinion, this is a disgrace. It is very hard to successfully bring such claims against a business since they have powerful lawyers and workers do not. https://patch.com/pennsylvania/malvern/malvern-company-owes-1-9-million-back-wages-damages-feds ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20190403111542.GA2484@telecom.csail.mit.edu> Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2019 11:15:42 +0000 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: The FTC Makes It Clear It Can't, Won't Protect Net Neutrality When the Ajit Pai-led FCC killed net neutrality, the agency said that the FTC would step in to protect consumers. Now, that seems unlikely. When the Ajit Pai-led Federal Communications Commission (FCC) killed federal net neutrality rules in late 2017, the order didn't just eliminate rules protecting an open internet - it also dramatically rolled back the FCC's authority to reign in giant broadband providers. At the time, the FCC stated that gutting this authority wouldn't harm consumers because the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would fill the void, protecting consumers from harm. But the FTC itself now says it lacks the authority to fully police bad behavior by big telecom. https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/8xyyzb/the-ftc-makes-it-clear-it-cant-wont-protect-net-neutrality -- Bill Horne (Remove QRM from my email address to write to me directly) ------------------------------ ********************************************* End of telecom Digest Sat, 06 Apr 2019