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Communications Provider: Never Suffer from Bill Shock Again with New Alerts

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November 03, 2011

Communications Provider: Never Suffer from Bill Shock Again with New Alerts

By Jamie Epstein, TMCnet Web Editor


It’s no secret that most Americans are so enamored with their wireless devices that if a fire were to break out these devices would be one of the treasured items that would be taken with seconds. A recent survey from CTIA (News - Alert)-The Wireless Association shows that currently there are even more devices –around 327.6 million – than there are actual American residents estimated at 315.5 million.


As these devices continue to gain traction, users are requiring increased amounts of voice minutes, text messages and data, which just so happens to be a great thing for communications providers.

As demands for enhanced services continues, consumers can sometimes lose track of how much data or minutes their plans allot for and go way over—causing them to pay extremely expensive overage fees and become extremely frustrated. In order to combat these unexpected overage charges and forever eliminate bill shock, CTIA and many of its provider members, along with the Federal Communications Commission, have joined together to unveil free alerts.

Under this new alert system, over 300 million U.S. wireless customers will be protected against high overage fees. According to a press release, as part of CTIA's "Consumer Code for Wireless Service," wireless providers will be required to send postpaid customers alerts on voice, data, messaging and international roaming. Four alerts in total will eventually be rolled out, with two initially being released by Oct. 17, 2012 and the others to follow by April 17, 2013.

Trying to end bill shock is nothing new, as various wireless providers already provide the necessary elements that customers can use to easily check what their current usage is.

In the release, CTIA offers several invaluable tips segregated by provider to help consumers remain consistently in the know about their monthly wireless bill.

For AT&T (News - Alert) customers, texting*BAL# (*225#) and "Send" enables you to simply check your balance, while texting*MIN# (*646#) and "Send" allow for you to check your minutes and entering*DATA# (*3282#) and "Send" lets you see how much data has been used within the billing period including text, pictures/videos and Internet.

For Sprint (News - Alert)/Nextel devotees, typing in*2 and "Send" allows for you to check your usage, balance and even locate the closest Sprint store, while entering *4 and "Send" allows you to check your minutes.

Similarly for T-Mobile users, hitting #MSG# (#674#) and "Send" will instantly show how many text messages have been sent and received and how many can still be sent within the term of the plan. Typing in #MIN# (#646#) and "Send" allows you to view your minutes used and when your billing period will conclude.

Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless lovers are not left in the dark, as they can text #BAL and "Send" to view their balance, #MIN and "Send" to see how many minutes have be used and how many minutes are left, and #DATA and "Send" to view text and picture count, as well as data usage.

Be sure to take advantage of the free tools currently being offered by the individual provider to remain informed about how many minutes, data or text messages you've already used. Besides being able to get in touch with your carrier either through the phone or their individual websites, most allow customers to access shortcuts via their personally owned wireless device. which allows for increased flexibility.

Also, it is crucial to check International Rates before traveling abroad. The "Wireless Consumer Usage Notification Guidelines" require participating CTIA providers to let consumers know about international roaming fees when leaving the U.S.

In conclusion, truly grasping what your plan entails including calls, texts and data/Internet usage will come in handy to help you forever end the possibility of going over your allotted minutes or data usage.


Jamie Epstein is a TMCnet Web Editor. Previously she interned at News 12 Long Island as a reporter's assistant. After working as an administrative assistant for a year, she joined TMC (News - Alert) as a Web editor for TMCnet. Jamie grew up on the North Shore of Long Island and holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication with a concentration in broadcasting from Five Towns College. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Carrie Schmelkin







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