---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <20161210030833.GA20698@telecom.csail.mit.edu> Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2016 22:08:33 -0500 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: Verizon refuses to brick Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Verizon refuses to release update that would kill Samsung's Note 7 "We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation." By Chris Welch Verizon will not be releasing a just-announced Galaxy Note 7 software update designed to stop the recalled smartphone from charging. In a statement, the leading US mobile carrier attributed the decision to concerns over safety for customers who might not have another mobile phone to use after the Note 7 has been crippled. "Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note 7 users that do not have another device to switch to," the company's statement reads. "We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation." The Galaxy Note 7 remains banned on airlines by the FAA and is prohibited from being used on many other public transit services in the United States as well. http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/12/9/13899852/verizon-refuses-samsung-note-7-update -- Bill Horne ------------------------------ Message-ID: <0FA025F4-E74A-45BE-A6FE-D9C9840A47F0@roscom.com> Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2016 23:32:37 -0500 From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com> Subject: AT&T customers get credits and refunds for illegal charges AT&T customers get $88 million in credits and refunds for illegal charges 2014 cramming settlement finally gives money back to nearly 3 million customers. By Jon Brodkin Current and former AT&T customers will get refunds or bill credits totaling $88 million within the next 75 days, satisfying the terms of a settlement between AT&T and the Federal Trade Commission, the FTC announced today. The AT&T customers were victimized by "mobile cramming," charges for third-party services that were placed on their phone bills without the customers' authorization. AT&T agreed to pay for the refunds and credits in a settlement announced in October 2014, and it agreed to notify current customers about the process for applying for refunds. The process, which was led by a third-party contractor that validated each customers' claim, is finally just about over. Some of the money was also recovered from Tatto and Acquinity, two companies that were allegedly behind cramming schemes that affected AT&T customers. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/12/att-customers-get-88-million-in-credits-and-refunds-for-illegal-charges/ ------------------------------ Message-ID: <D517A0BD-8131-4F4A-89AA-080A175CBE5B@roscom.com> Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2016 23:28:00 -0500 From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com> Subject: Samsung may permanently disable Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung may permanently disable Galaxy Note 7 phones in the US as soon as next week. Samsung appears to be planning to permanently disable Galaxy Note 7 units in the US with an update that would prevent the recalled phone from charging. According to an image obtained by The Verge, an alert went out to at least one Note 7 owner on US Cellular today stating that, "As of December 15th, Samsung will modify the software to prevent the Galaxy Note 7 from charging. The phone will no longer work." http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/8/13892400/samsung-galaxy-note-7-permanently-disabled-no-charging-us-update ------------------------------ ********************************************* End of telecom Digest Sat, 10 Dec 2016