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Phone Companies Bill Public for Nonexistent Equipment

Srinivasan Ramakrishnan writes "Forbes has an eye-opening article on the scam that lets the Bells scoop $5 billion every year from the consumer with the sanction of the FCC. The FCC Line charge that appears on every phone bill is a vestige of a deal that was struck by the FCC with the Bells. The deal was touted by the FCC as a historic win that saved $3.2 Billion a year for the consumer - Forbes takes a closer look at the deal."

10 of 449 comments (clear)

  1. I blame it on the log cabins by wiggys · · Score: 5, Funny

    If a non-existant phone rings when you're in the woods do you get billed for it?

    --

    Sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma.

  2. $458 dollar gloves by pr0ntab · · Score: 4, Funny

    0 line printers - $25,000
    1 phone switch - $133,000
    The same phone switch on newegg - $4

    Succeeding to sweep a damning audit of your shady accounting under the rug: Priceless

    There are some things money can't buy. You use back-office deals with the FCC for that.

    --
    Fuck Beta. Fuck Dice
  3. Profit! by SnowDog_2112 · · Score: 3, Funny

    (Is this joke dead yet?)

    1: Monopoly broken up by government.
    2: Local companies and national carriers hold secret meetings with government regulators, decide how to screw customer over.
    3: ???
    4: Profit!!

    --
    Not representing or approved by my company or anybody else.
  4. I need my hard line to... by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 2, Funny

    Get out of the Matrix.

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  5. Re:cut the line! by Neck_of_the_Woods · · Score: 5, Funny


    BUT, if I cut my land line, how would I get in and out of the Matrix!

    --
    Neck_of_the_Woods
    #/usr/local/surf/glassy/overhead
  6. Re:Nationalize local phone access! by Bluesman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Even though I agree with your sentiment, using the post office as a model of efficiency just may get you into trouble someday...

    --
    If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
  7. Re:funny math, not funny money by the_consumer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Gotta be Bill Gates for them to be able to get that kind of money from one guy.

    What the fuck, man? You trying to ruin my /. cred? ;)

    --
    "If you're thinking what I'm thinking, you're right." -
  8. Re:Nationalize local phone access! by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 3, Funny

    How in blazes could anybody show you a better postal service?

    There's this thing called other countries, see, and they send letters too.

    --
    "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
  9. Re:Nationalize local phone access! by Noofus · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have received No Such Address post cards here in the US. I was told I had a package waiting at the PO. Miffed that they didnt leave it with the office attendants (apartment building) as they 99% of the time do, I go to the PO and they tell me it wasnt delivered because my address doesnt exist. No amount of logic would convince them otherwise.

    Uhm hello, they gave me a post card IN MY MAILBOX.

  10. Re:Pizza delivery requires a landline... by repetty · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nope, at least not in Austin, Texas.

    I don't do it very often but I've never had any problem with Papa John's or Mr. Gattis delivering to me.

    I'm one of those guys without a land line -- I have just a cell phone.

    I don't advertise that fact, but then I don't tell them I'm fat, either.

    --Richard