Cingular Wireless Refutes Lawsuit Filed by The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights
Cingular today refuted the points made in a lawsuit filed against the company by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
"This lawsuit is completely without merit," said Joaquin Carbonell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. "Cingular has spent nearly $10 billion in integrating and improving its networks in the 21 months since the merger was completed, leading to a significantly improved customer experience and the fewest dropped calls of any national carrier."
Since the merger, Cingular has made extensive improvements including broader coverage, fewer dropped calls, improved capabilities and improved churn.
"This lawsuit is completely without merit," said Joaquin Carbonell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. "Cingular has spent nearly $10 billion in integrating and improving its networks in the 21 months since the merger was completed, leading to a significantly improved customer experience and the fewest dropped calls of any national carrier."
Since the merger, Cingular has made extensive improvements including broader coverage, fewer dropped calls, improved capabilities and improved churn.
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Ok, this is the whole story.
Cingular today refuted the points made in a lawsuit filed against the company by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
“This lawsuit is completely without merit,” said Joaquin Carbonell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “Cingular has spent nearly $10 billion in integrating and improving its networks in the 21 months since the merger was completed, leading to a significantly improved customer experience and the fewest dropped calls of any national carrier.
“Separately, we are considering our options with respect to the false and misleading statements made to the media by the lawyer that brought this case,” he said.
Among the improvements made by Cingular:
Broader coverage:...
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Cingular today refuted the points made in a lawsuit filed against the company by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
“This lawsuit is completely without merit,” said Joaquin Carbonell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “Cingular has spent nearly $10 billion in integrating and improving its networks in the 21 months since the merger was completed, leading to a significantly improved customer experience and the fewest dropped calls of any national carrier.
“Separately, we are considering our options with respect to the false and misleading statements made to the media by the lawyer that brought this case,” he said.
Among the improvements made by Cingular:
Broader coverage:...
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I'm really impressed with some of that information.
Especially the FCC complaints being down 53% and moving from fourth to second place in customer satisfaction surveys.
I wonder which research firm it was...
Especially the FCC complaints being down 53% and moving from fourth to second place in customer satisfaction surveys.
I wonder which research firm it was...
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RUFF1415 said:
...especially the FCC complaints being down 53% and moving from fourth to second place in customer satisfaction surveys...
That's right! How immpresive is that?
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They can refute all they want, but when you examine it against customer complaints, here and elsewhere, the only conclusion one can come to is Cingular is lying.
If you work for them that's cool and all, but why try to support such an obviously crooked organization?
If you work for them that's cool and all, but why try to support such an obviously crooked organization?
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Here are some links to discussions among reps talking about ETF's, forced migrations, degredation of service, and just about every issue raised in the lawsuit.
Forcing Customer's to Migrate to Cingular
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
AT&T to Cingular
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
We Just found a Way to force att customers to migrate
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
Either switch to cingular...or we'll switch for you!!!!
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
Former ATTWS Customers That owe Cing money
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
New Migration Policy?? WTF...
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Forcing Customer's to Migrate to Cingular
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
AT&T to Cingular
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
We Just found a Way to force att customers to migrate
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
Either switch to cingular...or we'll switch for you!!!!
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
Former ATTWS Customers That owe Cing money
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
New Migration Policy?? WTF...
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captainplooky said:
Forcing Customer's to Migrate to Cingular
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
AT&T to Cingular
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
We Just found a Way to force att customers to migrate
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
Either switch to cingular...or we'll switch for you!!!!
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
Former ATTWS Customers That owe Cing money
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
New Migration Policy?? WTF??
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
You're so dumb it hurts.
You quo...
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You're so dumb it hurts.
You quoted some unfound rumors that who knows decided to post here (untrue BTW) just so you can have something bad to say! Let me start with each stupid link you posted here:
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&ff » ... (Not true) Did you even read how the thread started? "RUMOR" We NEVER forced ANYONE to migrate. Starting April 05. Never!
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&ff » ... (not true) We NEVER charged ETF to customers who migrated to Cingular. Does this even make sense to you? I mean, really?
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&ff » ... (Not true) After the merger the ALLOVER network was created. If you are a fool if you thought that customers were 'ro...
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You quoted some unfound rumors that who knows decided to post here (untrue BTW) just so you can have something bad to say! Let me start with each stupid link you posted here:
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&ff » ... (Not true) Did you even read how the thread started? "RUMOR" We NEVER forced ANYONE to migrate. Starting April 05. Never!
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&ff » ... (not true) We NEVER charged ETF to customers who migrated to Cingular. Does this even make sense to you? I mean, really?
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&ff » ... (Not true) After the merger the ALLOVER network was created. If you are a fool if you thought that customers were 'ro...
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Last month, a California state appeals court upheld a $12.1 million fine against Cingular for signing up customers faster than it could provide service and for imposing hefty cancellation fees without a trial period. The court also said Cingular must refund up to $10 million to people who were forced to pay as much as $550 to cancel their contracts.
What were you saying now?
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https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »
What were you saying?
I know. Imagine what my job was like telling customers "migrate over to Cingular and only pay $18 and a new phone" then "sorry, can't" then "you can, but you have to pay the ETF on ATT side" then "its all a mess up, go ahead and migrate like normal."
People were so mad.
What were you saying?
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Who doesn't pay an upgrade fee? Tell me! Orange customers do, blue customers did too ( for a few months) and then we decided to waive it as ONE MORE incentive to migrate.
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Anxiovert
We NEVER charged ETF to customers who migrated to Cingular. Does this even make sense to you? I mean, really?
I know. Imagine what my job was like telling customers "migrate over to Cingular and only pay $18 and a new phone" then "sorry, can't" then "you can, but you have to pay the ETF on ATT side" then "its all a mess up, go ahead and migrate like normal."
People were so mad.
I really thought you were smarter then this.
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Do you even know what ETF is? Let me help you. Early Termination Fee.
I am referring to Upgrade Fee. Two differnt things.
I am referring to Upgrade Fee. Two differnt things.
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If X customer had not finished the contract they had with ATT, and wanted to switch to another carrier. Then yes, the ETF fee applied. Doesn't that make perfect sense?
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No one was charged an ETF fee for migrating to Cingular, that is the point he is making, if they switched to Verizon or somebody else, yes, they were charged, but if they migrated, they were not supposed to have been charged an ETF, sure some people prob slipped through the cracks and were accidentally charged, but that should have been fixed by cust. service, and a couple of ETF charges in error dont mean that it was Cingular policy to charge migrating customers an ETF on their old account.
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What? I proved you wrong; so now you're only hanging on to this paragraph?
Do you even read what you post? You are starting to piss me off.
Since when Cingular has not given its customers a trial period? Could you please tell me? HUH? That's right, NEVER. All carrier are REQUIRED to give their customer at least 14 to try their new equipment. This is madated by the FCC!
Do you even read what you post? You are starting to piss me off.
Since when Cingular has not given its customers a trial period? Could you please tell me? HUH? That's right, NEVER. All carrier are REQUIRED to give their customer at least 14 to try their new equipment. This is madated by the FCC!
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Since when Cingular has not given its customers a trial period? Could you please tell me? HUH? That's right, NEVER. All carrier are REQUIRED to give their customer at least 14 to try their new equipment. This is madated by the FCC!
Exactly, which is why the court FORCED them to pay.
We aren't talking about what ifs and maybes here!
We are talking about FACTS that the COURTS found Cingular to be VIOLATING and ORDERED them to pay FINES.
Maybe you should reread that. Simply because you do not beleive it took place does not invalidate the court's decision.
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captainplooky said:
The court also said Cingular must refund up to $10 million to people who were forced to pay as much as $550 to cancel their contracts.
blockquote>
You definatly can't read my friend. They haven't paid anyone, becuase they are going to court for this.
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Yes, much like all corporations do when caught conducting shadey business practices, they extend the length of time it takes to conduct cases (thus tying up the court system), and exhaust their appeal process before paying anything if they can help it.
What's your point?
What's your point?
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One plaintiff, Amy Frerker, a 28-year-old Seattle architect, said that shortly after the merger she began noticing that she no longer had cell reception in areas she once did. Over the next year and a half, she said, Cingular told her she would have to sign a new contract; live with her current cell service, which was being phased out; or pay a $175 termination fee to get out of her contract.
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Or, she could have migrated, entered a 30 day buyers remorse period and ported to whomever she wanted.
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Taking the ramblings of anonymous idiots whose posts have absolutely nothing to do wit Cingular's actual policies.
Go find me a post where someone here that chooses to be upfront about who they are backs any of your claims.
You have zero proof of any actual policies. You are taking the opinions of disgruntled (and usually ignorant) persons and turning them into fact.
Same old Pooky bear, reaching as far as ever.
Go find me a post where someone here that chooses to be upfront about who they are backs any of your claims.
You have zero proof of any actual policies. You are taking the opinions of disgruntled (and usually ignorant) persons and turning them into fact.
Same old Pooky bear, reaching as far as ever.
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Reported by Odie and Pooky Bear.
The latest on loserwitness news at 5 PM.
The latest on loserwitness news at 5 PM.
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Anxiovert said:Cingular has improved churn.
I didn't realize churn was something that they desired! 🙂
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littlefuzzbear said:Anxiovert said:Cingular has improved churn.
I didn't realize churn was something that they desired! 🙂
Why taking what I quoted out of context? That was quoted as:
"Improved churn: The company’s overall churn rate (percentage of customers leaving the company monthly) has continued to decline – from 2.6 percent (pro forma) in the merger quarter (4Q04) to 1.9 percent in 1Q06."
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Anxiovert said:littlefuzzbear said:Anxiovert said:Cingular has improved churn.
I didn't realize churn was something that they desired! 🙂
Why taking what I quoted out of context? That was quoted as:
"Improved churn: The company?s overall churn rate (percentage of customers leaving the company monthly) has continued to decline ? from 2.6 percent (pro forma) in the merger quarter (4Q04) to 1.9 percent in 1Q06."
That says improved churn! Improved means more in most any dictionary that you can find. If they meant less churn then that's what they should have said. Improved churn implies that there's *more* churn!
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Actually improve means "to better" which anybody that knows anything would know that to better churn, it must decrease.
What dictionary are you using? 😳
What dictionary are you using? 😳
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RUFF1415 said:
Actually improve means "to better" which anybody that knows anything would know that to better churn, it must decrease.
What dictionary are you using? 😳
Strange. When did you say you learned to speak English?
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I didn't, because I don't have to. I thought it was pretty obvious that I did.
So what dictionary are you using?
So what dictionary are you using?
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RUFF1415 said:
I didn't, because I don't have to. I thought it was pretty obvious that I did.
So what dictionary are you using?
You're entirely a lost cause. There's no use in trying to explain anything to you.
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RUFF1415 said:
I didn't catch anything that you were trying to explain.
You appear to be slow on the uptake. I can't give classes in remedial English. Sorry.
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Who is the one that is having issues with English?!
I recall it being you that thought to improve meant to increase.
🤣
Please, go ahead and point out to me why I should be allowed the pleasure of joining your remedial English class. 🙄
I recall it being you that thought to improve meant to increase.
🤣
Please, go ahead and point out to me why I should be allowed the pleasure of joining your remedial English class. 🙄
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RUFF you are right. Improved/better churn is lower churn levels, Bad churn is higher levels.
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Cingluar says:
Yet, the truth is:
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"This lawsuit is completely without merit," said Joaquin Carbonell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. "Cingular has spent nearly $10 billion in integrating and improving its networks in the 21 months since the merger was completed, leading to a significantly improved customer experience and the fewest dropped calls of any national carrier."
Yet, the truth is:
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Last month, a California state appeals court upheld a $12.1 million fine against Cingular for signing up customers faster than it could provide service and for imposing hefty cancellation fees without a trial period. The court also said Cingular must refund up to $10 million to people who were force
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Judging by your immature comments, it appears you have resorted to a child's tactic of simply lashing out when faced with a fact that you do not want to accept.
I expected nothing less from someone such as yourself.
For your childish comments regarding NSA still make me laugh and fondly remember how foolish I must have been at your age.
Of course, even then I do not believe I denied facts so that I could maintain a warm happy fuzzy feeling instead of dealing with the nasty truth of reality.
http://www.forbes.com/home/intelligentinfrastructure ... »
I expected nothing less from someone such as yourself.
For your childish comments regarding NSA still make me laugh and fondly remember how foolish I must have been at your age.
bocephus81
oh get over it they only spied on people with Suspected involvement with terrorists
Of course, even then I do not believe I denied facts so that I could maintain a warm happy fuzzy feeling instead of dealing with the nasty truth of reality.
http://www.forbes.com/home/intelligentinfrastructure ... »
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Whatever man, all you are doing is trying to start a flame war i hate cingular personally. I use t-mobile. I just hate it when people jump to conclusions based on a lawsuit that will probably be thrown out anyway becaus it is bs
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We shall see.
The same was said regarding Kinkel versus Cingular, but the Federal courts found that:
Much to the dismay of Cingular.
The same was said regarding Kinkel versus Cingular, but the Federal courts found that:
We conclude that the prohibition on class arbitrations is unconscionable.
Much to the dismay of Cingular.
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so did you forget about all the class action lawsuits verizon has had against them?
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You are a tool.. The California fine you keep referring to is a holdout from the SBC/PacBell days. It has just taken that long to go through appeals, etc..
Yes, I know what you are going to say, SBC(att) owns 60% of cingular (soon 100%) but it was long before current Cingular initiatives.
Not much different then Verizon inheriting something from GTE or PrimeCo.
Yes, I know what you are going to say, SBC(att) owns 60% of cingular (soon 100%) but it was long before current Cingular initiatives.
Not much different then Verizon inheriting something from GTE or PrimeCo.
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😈 The only thing I can think of is that a couple hicks got smart and realized Cingulair is by far the worst company and thats only for their prepaid service who knows how horrible it is for the regular subscribers my cousin worked for Cingulair it takes 45 minutes to talk to a customer care rep who won't do jack for anyone.
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Judging by some of you whiners out there, its a wonder why people question why I hate some of you customers so much.
plooky, the real question is; why the hell do you care about any of this? Are you a champion for consumer rights or something? Companies get sued for stuff like this everyday. I work for Cingular and I could care less if they get sued as long as I keep getting a paycheck. I tell my customers the same thing if they ask me about it. I just tell them its not something they need to worry about.
RIM got sued this year, Apple got sued, VERIZON IS GETTING SUED RIGHT NOW, Sprint got sued, and Comcast gets sued all the time. All of these companies are still around making products and enjoying massive levels of success. SO ...
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plooky, the real question is; why the hell do you care about any of this? Are you a champion for consumer rights or something? Companies get sued for stuff like this everyday. I work for Cingular and I could care less if they get sued as long as I keep getting a paycheck. I tell my customers the same thing if they ask me about it. I just tell them its not something they need to worry about.
RIM got sued this year, Apple got sued, VERIZON IS GETTING SUED RIGHT NOW, Sprint got sued, and Comcast gets sued all the time. All of these companies are still around making products and enjoying massive levels of success. SO ...
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A few facts to toss in the mix:
1. Prior to the merger, AWS charged a $15 "discounted activation fee" (aka upgrade fee) for all equipment upgrades, whether done at a store or through customer service. Cingular charged an $18 fee for the same service. Phone companies are fee based service providers, we provide a service, we charge fees for the services provided. For approximately 10-12 months after the merger, Cingular charged an $18 upgrade fee, it's standard fee, for the upgrade from AWS calling plans/equipment to Cingular calling plans/equipment.
2. The only time a customer is charged an early termination fee is if they decide to terminate service and go to an entirely different carrier (verizon, tMobile, etc). Any customer who move...
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1. Prior to the merger, AWS charged a $15 "discounted activation fee" (aka upgrade fee) for all equipment upgrades, whether done at a store or through customer service. Cingular charged an $18 fee for the same service. Phone companies are fee based service providers, we provide a service, we charge fees for the services provided. For approximately 10-12 months after the merger, Cingular charged an $18 upgrade fee, it's standard fee, for the upgrade from AWS calling plans/equipment to Cingular calling plans/equipment.
2. The only time a customer is charged an early termination fee is if they decide to terminate service and go to an entirely different carrier (verizon, tMobile, etc). Any customer who move...
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I'm sure there isn't a huge corporation that hasn't been taken to court. I think it is absolutely riciculous how people try to get money by filing these stupid lawsuits. If you can't pay $18 to switch to a different plan then you should budget yourself a little differently
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Every major corporation in america has been sued for one reason or another, it amazes me how much some people read into things. Apple was sued b/c i guy damaged his hearing by playing his ipod too loud, did apple simply produce the Ipod as some deviant scheme to make everybody deaf? McDonalds was sued b/c some lady spilt hot coffee, did McDonalds purposefully invent hot coffee just to burn some idiot? A guy sued the US govt b/c he felt the pledge of allegiance offended his daughter b/c it said "under god", should we assume that the US govt is secretly under the control of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell? Its like conspiracy theorists unite every time some idiot sues a major company b/c they're unhappy about something, lawsauits dont mean ...
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I think too many people are too willing to assume that anytime someone sues they are greedy or seeking something they do not deserve.
These people see these lawsuits as a way to get money, but forget that sometimes it's not about the money but is more about principles.
Businesses should be held accountable for their misdeeds and not allowed to act without regard to ethics and laws simply because they are large.
There are numerous lawsuits against corporations, businesses, and people that have yielded positive results for everyone ranging from civil liberties, product safety, worker safety, and etc. etc.
I think it is funny that you dismiss the lawsuit considering the circumstances. Numerous customers have had issues across the ...
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These people see these lawsuits as a way to get money, but forget that sometimes it's not about the money but is more about principles.
Businesses should be held accountable for their misdeeds and not allowed to act without regard to ethics and laws simply because they are large.
There are numerous lawsuits against corporations, businesses, and people that have yielded positive results for everyone ranging from civil liberties, product safety, worker safety, and etc. etc.
I think it is funny that you dismiss the lawsuit considering the circumstances. Numerous customers have had issues across the ...
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There is nothing underhanded going on here. Of course Cingular executives want AWS customers to take advantage of their new products and offerings - it's called capitalism. They are not in this industry for their health, they are trying to turn a profit. TDMA is a limited technology that had long run it's course. GSM has much greater flexibility for both the service provider and the consumer, and there are substantial benefits. Are you going to run out right now and invest in a VCR? Of course not, because DVD is a far superior product and has gained significant traction in the marketplace because it has more features and improved quality. Cell phone manufacturers are no longer producing handsets for TDMA because demand is extremely low. If y...
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Nobody is being taken advantage of, when companies come out with newer systems/technologies, they of course want people to migrate to those systems. Its that way with with almost every company in america, AOL wants you to upgrade to broadband, Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Vista and Office 2007, Apple wants you upgrade to Tiger, Your car company wants you buy their latest model so they give you "loyalty" bonuses, etc. etc., my point isnt that every lawsuit is w/o merit, my point is that just b/c someone sued cingular and feels cingular is out to get them, doesnt mean that Cingular bent over every ATT customer they aquired. The attorneys statement that "everyone" got worse service is laughable, There are millions -and I truly mean milli...
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asiatic1982 said:
The attorneys statement that "everyone" got worse service is laughable, There are millions -and I truly mean millions- of old ATT customers that are now enjoying their Cingular service and had a seamless transition, but nobody cares about that b/c happy people dont sue, its the people who feel wronged, whether they were or werent
I'm one of them!
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Do what I did to my carrier: cancel the service and pay the ETF and move on. Landlines are better and you get great deals and no stupid contracts.
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