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Telecom

The ‘un-carrier’ under fire over the cellphone industry’s uncomfortable truth

A federal lawsuit accusing T-Mobile of profiting off a scam called “cramming” shines a spotlight on an uncomfortable truth in the cellphone industry: Wireless companies can make lots of money off of so-called third-party charges–even when they’re fraudulent. Cramming is when third-party companies throw charges on your bill for services you didn’t authorize.…...

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Pay-to-play for Internet?

Comcast, Verizon, and other telecommunications conglomerates want to make the Internet open to the highest bidder, and it’s time to say no. On May 15, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will propose new Internet rules that could have a major impact on “net neutrality”– the idea Internet Service Providers (ISPs) cannot discriminate…...

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Illinois’ most hated bill: Cable gets the nod!

The results are in from our survey on Illinois’ most hated bill. It’s cable, but judging by the survey results there’s plenty of bill-hate to go around. 1) Cable: 627 votes, 35.8 percent 2) Natural Gas: 461 votes, 26.4 percent 3) Electric: 296 votes, 16.9 percent 4) Phone: 240 votes,…...

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What’s the deal with my data?

Cell phones have changed a lot since they were introduced 40 years ago (remember those old brick phones?).  Nowadays, not only can you talk and text from your mobile phone, but you can send email, play games, navigate trips, check the weather and listen to music. But all those bells and…...

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What’s your worst utility bill?

2014 has already been a rough year for consumers.  Natural gas price spikes.  Brutal electric rate-hike requests.  Ominous cable mergers.  It’s enough to tear your hair out! CUB is ready to crown Illinois’ most hated bill, and needs your input.  What’s your biggest utility bill headache: Electric? Gas? Phone? Cable? Vote by noon…...

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Hands Off My Internet!

Net neutrality—the principal that protects our right to a free and open Internet—could go the way of the dinosaur, thanks to a recent court decision. We need your help to fix it, before the Internet is open to the highest bidder! Net neutrality means that Internet Service Providers like AT&T, Comcast…...

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CUB helps a grieving husband

After Aurora resident William Schweihs lost his wife, Louise, in April,he didn’t expect the headache he received from Verizon. Fortunately, CUB was there to help. William’s wife had been on a prepaid cellphone plan with Verizon, and her plan required her to maintain a balance to pay for her use. So…...

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CUB’s holiday surprise!

Today, CUB launched a three-day Holiday Giveaway: three days, three prizes, three winners! Each day–Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday–CUB will give a money-saving gift to a randomly selected person who “likes” our Facebook page.  What are the prizes? That’s the surprise! Visit CUB’s festive Holiday Giveaway page to find out and…...

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AT&T’s big move could save customers $15/month

Following T-Mobile’s lead, AT&T over the weekend took a step to end what one writer called “the phone subsidy scam.” It’s a common practice to get a big discount on a new smartphone, and then pay off the balance of the device’s price tag through higher monthly fees over a…...

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Giving Tuesday: For CUB, ALL the battles are big

In honor of “Giving Tuesday”–the national day to support nonprofits–CUB has created this nifty Holiday eCard, with the CFL candle theme, pictured here. It allows people to honor friends and family this Holiday season–and support CUB’s fight for lower utility bills. That fight made headlines this year, as we helped to…...

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