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CNN Live Sunday
Wireless Providers Planning Array Of Hidden Fees For Keeping Number
Aired November 23, 2003 - 16:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: They're already thinking of ways to make money off of this ruling. It's amazing some of the hidden fees that we're already hearing about. What should consumers be aware of?
JONI BLECHER, CNET.COM: Well, first of all, I think consumers should be aware that we're actually already paying for it. It's already appearing in our bills under mandates and fees. So you're already paying a little bit for it, like at least a dollar or so, and it varies between carriers how much it's going to cost on your particular bill. We've probably been paying for it for the past couple months. Another thing --
CALLAWAY: What -- go ahead.
BLECHER: Another thing to be aware of is if your contract is not over and you're trying to change you still have to pay your contract fees to get out of your existing contract.
CALLAWAY: Is this a convenience worth the money? And will it -- the cost continue to grow?
BLECHER: Well, I think the cost will eventually grow, and I think that we'll be paying -- I think consumers will be paying for it one way or another, whether you're going to end up having to pay your old carrier a fee to take your number to a new carrier in addition to the fees that are already on your bills, it's hard to say.
But I think that the other thing to really be aware of is that you should just wait until your contract expires anyway because it might be expiring in a month or two and a month or two is going to be much easier to do the change.
CALLAWAY: You may have to buy a new phone as well.
BLECHER: Yes, you definitely will probably have to buy a new phone depending on the network that you're working on, but the best thing is to go in thinking that you'll probably end up buying a new phone. And if you're buying a new phone you're also going to be signing a new contract, and chances are to get a better deal on a new phone you're going to have to sign a two-year contract.
CALLAWAY: What about GSM phones?
BLECHER: Some GSM phones, depending on the carrier, most GSM phones are locked actually and some carriers will give you the lock code for a fee but most won't. You might be able to do it but that's definitely a question to ask the new carrier before making the switch.
CALLAWAY: All right, Joni thanks very much. Thanks for coming in today.
BLECHER: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Keeping Number>
Aired November 23, 2003 - 16:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: They're already thinking of ways to make money off of this ruling. It's amazing some of the hidden fees that we're already hearing about. What should consumers be aware of?
JONI BLECHER, CNET.COM: Well, first of all, I think consumers should be aware that we're actually already paying for it. It's already appearing in our bills under mandates and fees. So you're already paying a little bit for it, like at least a dollar or so, and it varies between carriers how much it's going to cost on your particular bill. We've probably been paying for it for the past couple months. Another thing --
CALLAWAY: What -- go ahead.
BLECHER: Another thing to be aware of is if your contract is not over and you're trying to change you still have to pay your contract fees to get out of your existing contract.
CALLAWAY: Is this a convenience worth the money? And will it -- the cost continue to grow?
BLECHER: Well, I think the cost will eventually grow, and I think that we'll be paying -- I think consumers will be paying for it one way or another, whether you're going to end up having to pay your old carrier a fee to take your number to a new carrier in addition to the fees that are already on your bills, it's hard to say.
But I think that the other thing to really be aware of is that you should just wait until your contract expires anyway because it might be expiring in a month or two and a month or two is going to be much easier to do the change.
CALLAWAY: You may have to buy a new phone as well.
BLECHER: Yes, you definitely will probably have to buy a new phone depending on the network that you're working on, but the best thing is to go in thinking that you'll probably end up buying a new phone. And if you're buying a new phone you're also going to be signing a new contract, and chances are to get a better deal on a new phone you're going to have to sign a two-year contract.
CALLAWAY: What about GSM phones?
BLECHER: Some GSM phones, depending on the carrier, most GSM phones are locked actually and some carriers will give you the lock code for a fee but most won't. You might be able to do it but that's definitely a question to ask the new carrier before making the switch.
CALLAWAY: All right, Joni thanks very much. Thanks for coming in today.
BLECHER: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Keeping Number>
