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DSL Surcharge Plan Abandoned by Major Carriers

thedletterman writes to mention a USAToday article about the proposed surcharges on DSL lines. The FCC stepped in just as major carriers Verizon and BellSouth made moves to add a $1-$3 surcharge to their DSL services; they were coincidentally to add this charge just as the Universal Service Fund fee was being removed from all DSL services. From the article: "Verizon, in a statement, said it was dropping the new fee as a result of feedback from consumers: 'We have listened to our customers, and are eliminating the charge.' Gene Kimmelman of Consumers Union had another explanation: 'They got caught red-handed in a blatant consumer rip-off. Only under the pressure of regulators cracking down on them did they back off from this unwarranted charge.' The FCC last week sent Verizon a 'letter of inquiry,' the first step in a formal investigation."

4 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Let me be the first to say.. by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Veriz0wn3d!

  2. Finally by yellekc · · Score: 5, Funny

    The FCC stepping up to actually protect consumers? Guess the Telcos need to buy off some more commissioners...

  3. Happy Happy Verison Land by mobiux · · Score: 4, Funny

    "we have listened to our customers, and are eliminating the charge."

    I want to live in Verison world, where unless people tell you otherwise, they want to be ripped off.

    I just can't comprehend how fucked up corporations are.

  4. Simple Economics by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Didn't you study economics? Costs such as this used to be called "The cost of doing business". In today's modern economy however it is now known as "Sticking it to you as hard as we can and you can't do shit about it".

    I look forward to seeing on my bill:
          $5 Gas for installation truck fee
          $10 Catered lunch for marketing dept fee
          $20 Lack of alternatives in the market fee
          $3 Sending you this abusive letter fee

    --
    It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning