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Politics : A Neutral Corner -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (2211)	7/13/2007 1:07:53 PM
From: TimF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2253

I share your opinion of phone service. I should probably change to your $22 a month plan, instead I pay even more for "unlimited local calling". Its not just a deficit for very light users. You also have a problem with very heavy users some times. Supposedly unlimited internet all of the sudden becomes limited when someone starts downloading gigabytes. Its particularly problematic when the limits are not announced before hand (sometimes not even in the small print). IMO, there should be wireless plans out there for granny so she can affordably call someone other than 911 to help her when she can't make it all the way home from the grocery store. I wouldn't propose federal action on that. But there should be a mechanism of some sort to make that happen. Cell phone companies probably feel it would reduce their profitability. They lose some customers who would pay $10 or $20 a month for limited service, but not enough to make up for those who would switch from the current $30 to $50 a month minimum plans to the $10 to $20 minimum. I thought there where a few cheap plans for 911 calls. Hmm found this (it actually is based on federal requirements) --- Free Cell Phones for Emergency 911 Use Many people buy cell phones to keep in the car for "emergency use only." They often pay rates such as $15/month, one-time sign-up $150 service fees. These fees are NOT necessary. You can use a used cell phone to call 911 without paying anything at all. Cell phones are regulated by the FCC. The FCC requirements state that ALL cell phones, regardless of the status of service (or even the lack of service,) shall be able to dial 911. Whether you have a telephone number or not, whether you have signed up for service or not, the cell phone can connect to 911. There are two kinds of cell phones: analog (the old, thick cell phones) and digital (the new, slim phones.) Analog phones are out of fashion because the signal wasn't very clear. But they still work. This means that you can buy an old analog phone for $10 or less at yardsales or the small shops that sell cell phones and pagers. Insist on buying it without service. Be sure to get a cigarette-lighter adapter cord with it (you can buy these at any cell phone store, Target, Walmart, and so on.) You can also buy cell phones without service at www.emergencycellphones.com or eBay.com. Used analog and digital phones sell for less than $25. In many areas, you can place other calls as well. Test this by dialing a friend's number and see what happens. You may get an operator who will offer to place the call for you and bill your credit card. The call may cost as much as $3/minute. You can use this if you have a flat tire or similar. Note about Reprogramming: In some areas, if you press 0 (zero) or dial a number, an operator will answer and ask if you want to charge the call to your credit card. In other areas, no connection will be made. If you want to be able to call roadside assistance, AAA, the police, or a friend, then it's possible to have the cell phone reprogrammed. The reprogramming enables the cell phone to make credit card calls. If you test your phone in your area and it works, and you plan to travel around the country, you may end up in an area where cell phones can't make credit card calls. www.emergencycellphones.com can reprogram phones for about $30. (I have no connection to that company.) Keep the phone in your car under the seat (not in the glove compartment, where things are often stolen.) You don't need to recharge it or keep it charged. Just plug the phone into your car's cigarette lighter. Just plug it in, turn it on, dial 911, and it will work. Abby, a 12-year old in Maryland, started a project to collect used cell phones. You can do this in your local church, community center, at work, or your favorite gathering spot. Here are more stories about community projects to share used cell phones. * Washington Times * News Factor * Palmdale, California * Baltimore, Maryland * Volunteer Centers of California andreas.com tinyurl.com