Verizon’s Hands Slapped
24 06 2008All..
Not related to relay service, but to consumer’s choices and access to proprietary data by telephone companies to get hold of previous subscribers who changed to a new provider.
I found the article intriguing cuz I can see the same thing happening in Internet-based relay service industry where VRS or IP providers may access their customer database and reach out to these past subscribers or those who do not use their services much. In fact, it happened to me. I got a call from one VRS provider asking me to change over to their 800 phone number. I told the person I prefer to stay with the same VRS provider. Later, I realized where did that person get the vp nbr to reach me? I used to have that VRS provider, but I changed to my current VRS provider. hmmmm and tut tut…
Also the article is interesting that two democrat and two republician voted against FCC Chair Martin. Unusual to see that.
Read on and muse…
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
I read this article the other day with mixed feelings. The consumer should be allowed the benefit of discounts and other deal sweeteners available to folks who shop for the best deal. At the same time, the incumbent provider enjoys quite an advantage with current proprietary information. So I am not sure whether this ruling was good or bad.
Martin is probably going to land a 6 figure job at Verizon when the Bush Administration is done.
You know Verizon isnt the only VRS provider out there that is practing these tactics. HOVRS has done the same exact tactic by contacting former users of their VRS services which are listed on their database. Isnt HOVRS and Verizon part of Go America? would this be considered a tactic by Go America? If Verizon’s hands were slapped then Go America’s hand should have been slapped also for allowing this tactic to continue.
Just wanted to respond to Charles above – I fully appreciate his mixed feelings as the Verizon case is in a grey area as people pay for their services and should not be dictated to, however I believe that Ed is talking about the use (or abuse) of funds that are federally controlled – it can be stated as a public resource fund and to entice people who use the service of their competitors for the purpose of gaining a bigger slice of a public fund is, in my opinion, unethical. A sound basis would be to attract customers through innovation, better quality services or customer care.
Jeff and Charles,
Yeah – Privacy issue has long been very important issue and it will continue to be controversial down to the future I think that the federal will need to apply CPNI regulations to the Internet-based relay service to at least meet the “functional equivalence” that hearing folks have.
Ed B
Steve,
I have a feeling that when the TN is in full operation by – hopefully – Dec 2008 and system running smoothly. The FCC may start looking at VRS and IP providers and start slapping hands here and there.
After I finish the vlogs on this Rule and Order/Further Notice, I hope to focus on the “activites” of the VRS Industry in racking up VRS minutes, and we’ll explore whether these activities are in violation, or unethical, or legal.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B