There’s an important new study out that offers some historical analysis of spectrum auctions and how they can best be fashioned to benefit the economy and consumers . The study, by Georgetown University’s Center for Business and Public Policy visiting senior policy scholar... Read The Story...

Check out this great new resource on the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) website, “Spec It Out.” The infographic offers information, creative graphics and pictures to help consumers understand the importance of spectrum for our mobile services.

Rather than long and confusing explanations of subjects such as the impending “spectrum crunch,” the FCC’s infographic uses short messages, drawings and numbers to help explain the situation. For example, the simple statistic of “35X increase in mobile traffic by 2015” is just one of the powerful messages on the graphic.

Another statement to help consumers understand the need for additional spectrum and what it will mean for them is, “Without additional spectrum, expect delays, more dropped calls and slower downloads.” These short messages/statements have great graphics behind them — including charts and drawings of roads with traffic. All of this really helps to get the point across.

“Spec It Out” also has information on “How to Solve the Spectrum Crunch,” using short statements, drawings and statistics once again. There is also a brief explanation of how the FCC would auction spectrum that is voluntarily returned to the government, and then how proceeds from those auctions would go into the US Treasury.

I think this FCC infographic is very useful and it helps break down a complicated subject matter for consumers. Check it out today!

Click here to view the infographic.

Congratulations to the FCC and the wireless industry for working with consumer organizations to craft a solution to the problem some customers were having with unexpected charges on their bills — the issue also known as “bill shock.”

Earlier this week, FCC Chairman Genachowski announced that the wireless industry will be taking three important steps to help consumers: 1) send voice or text alerts to consumers when there are close to and then when they reach their monthly plan limits for voice, data, and text that would result in overage charges; 2) send alerts if a consumer is about to incur an international roaming charge not covered in a plan; and 3) clearly disclose tools that wireless providers offer that let consumers set usage limits and monitor their monthly balances, etc. Most importantly — all these alerts will be offered at no cost to consumers, with no opt-in step required.

Several of the large wireless providers have already provided alerts for some of these services, and have tools to help consumers monitor their usage. It is now great to have this commitment from a broader range of the wireless industry. I have also been working to educate consumers about the tools they can use to help manage their monthly costs for mobile services and I’m pleased that clear disclosure of the available industry tools is a part of the FCC and industry plan.

I think the FCC’s announcement is a great step and will help consumers continue to enjoy their wireless services while better managing their monthly usage and costs

This week, I was invited to join other consumer representatives to attend a demonstration of AT&T’s network disaster recovery (NDR) operations. In addition to finding out about the national — and global — program the company has to recovery its network during an after a disaster, we were able to see the actual trucks that roll-out when needed to set-up a base of operations. This can happen when a central office is destroyed is disabled. by some physical cause (hurricane, earthquake, fires, etc.), cyber attack, political attack (terrorism or war), economic (strike), or social causes (epidemics that force employees to work remotely).

During the demonstration, we were shown a demonstration of the AT&T trained search-and-recovery dogs that go into a disaster site to find survivors. We also had a tour of the command center truck and viewed the COLT (Cell on Light Truck) — all components of the NDR special equipment sent to a disaster area.

It was also interesting to learn that AT&T’s national disaster recovery operations extend around the world. Equipment is located in several areas around the world and can be sent to other countries by air to help recover vital communications during disasters.

What most impressed me is that AT&T has taken on this commitment to invest extraordinary dollars and the manpower necessary to ensure there is a communications network when disaster hits. It’s a commitment they’re not required to do by legislation or regulation, but rather in the interest of serving the customer and communities around the world.

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Consumer Resources

Below are additional resources to more information about online privacy.

Consumer Guide to Online Privacy (PDF)
What is 4G Wireless Service? (PDF)
Consumer Online Privacy Survey
2008 Online Safety Survey
bNetS@vvy
www.onguardonline.gov
www.ikeepsafe.org/
www.getnetwise.org
www.fosi.org
www.enough.org

Other Organizations

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged:
http://www.ncba-aged.org/

National Consumers League:
http://www.nclnet.org/