AT&T Cingular to block free conference call services
In a stunning move, AT&T Cingular has decided to block calls made to services like FreeConferenceCall and FuturePhone, which provide free conference calls services by routing their calls through the 712 area code. The 712 rural exchange in Iowa is charging higher access charges, which are split between the "free" conference call company and the local exchange. AT&T/Cingular spokesperson Mark Siegel said, "We have to pay terminating access for every minute the person is on the line." These charges are being passed onto the customer. AT&T has filed a lawsuit against against these Iowa-based telcos stating a "violation of a number of laws and FCC decisions." In an effort to control costs, they have simply shut down access to these numbers for the time being. Siegel concludes that "in the wireless part of AT&T’s terms of service, we’re very clear that wireless calling is meant for one person to talk to another. It’s not meant for one person to call one of these lines, and we reserve the right to block calls to a variety of lines. We have chosen to do so here." Simmer down there guy.
[via Ars Technica]
I really think AT&T is stepping over the line here. So I can’t hold a conference call on my cell phone? Where do you draw the line with this, are they going to start blocking whatever they feel like. I have my own conference bridge on my Asterisk server are they going to block that too? I don’t get it.
I love this line:
“In the wireless part of AT&T’s terms of service, we’re very clear that wireless calling is meant for one person to talk to another”
So when I dial 611 on my AT&T phone why don’t get a real person? Technically I’m breaking the TOS.
“We have to pay terminating access for every minute the person is on the line.”
Why do they care what line you call? Either way your going to have to pay. If I dialed the person directly….guess what you have to pay that terminating cost as well.
I hope they lose this battle, this is outragous.
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Cingualr is the one breaking their own contracts. They may be blocking other conference providers but they are not blocking their own? This is a clear violation of their contract from themselves. They changed their policy so it is so strict that you can hardly call anyone. If you call your friend and get their voicemail, “oh****” you just violated your contract. You cannot call them for help and sit on hold,”violation of contract” Everyone should switch to voip.
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Chris,
In response to the outpouring of support from bloggers like you, industry thought leaders, consumer interest groups and the media, Free Conferencing Corp (creators of FreeConferenceCall.com) has set up a special web site –http://blog.freeconferencecall.com/Default.aspx — to set the record straight on the call blocking and law suits being leveraged by the major carriers including Cingular/AT&T Wireless and Sprint/Nextel. This site includes links to current blog postings, blocking FAQs, forum for visitors to blog, and, most importantly, a “Know your Rights” section directing people to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) web site so customers fully understand how their rights are being violated. The Know your Rights section includes links to learning about current FCC regulations, filing a complaint with the FCC, contacting your state attorney general and reading about historic cases that refute the claims of the telecommunications carrier “Goliaths.” FreeConferenceCall.com is also encouraging site visitors to subscribe to a list to join the fight in a class action suit.
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