Internet providers need regulation, according to my personal experience

Cox Communications just erased all my emails in one account. I was hoping they would add a feature that allowed me to search my old emails. I wanted to make sure I had copies of all the important emails before I closed the account, but now that option is closed off forever. They said they erased all my emails when I didn't check the account for 3 months, even though I was only using a fraction of the total storage they claimed they were allowing. In fact, they were allowing me no storage at all. Clearly, they don't want to pay to upgrade their service with a search feature. They prefer to keep their email service substandard, and let their customers rely on free email providers.



The Broadband Providers Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks
By Tony Bradley, PC World
June 19, 2010

The broadband industry and some politicians have reacted strongly to an FCC effort to have an open dialogue. In response to a Thursday vote by the FCC to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) period to consider the options for reclassifying how broadband service is governed, some broadband providers have responded with undue hyperbole that leads one to question their motives.

The FCC has been tasked by Congress to develop and implement a National Broadband Plan, but the industry is challenging its authority to do so.A statement from Verizon following the FCC vote says "Reclassifying high-speed broadband Internet service as a telecom service is a terrible idea...

Cox Communications in San Diego says if I have a problem with my bill, I'm welcome to go to the FCC

Cox Communications has apparently trained their billing department to tell people to go to the FCC if they don't like their bills.

At least, that's what "Raven" told me just now about a $294 phone bill for three phone calls in December.

I had joined the "Simply Worldwide International Calling Plan" several months earlier. At that time I was told I'd be paying 19 cents a minute for calls to Central America. (Instead, I was charged $2.40 per minute.)

I asked Raven if she could see the call I made a few months ago on her computer screen.

"You make an entry for each call, right?" I asked.

"No. That's just for training purposes. Sometimes we do, and sometimes we don't." Raven said.

Sounds like a smart business practice. Sometimes they make a note that a customer called, and sometimes they don't?!?

I think Raven could see my call on her screen, but someone messed up somewhere, and she didn't want to admit the truth.

If Cox Communications is so greedy that they aren't happy with the huge profits they make legally, and they feel the need to cheat in order to make even more profits, maybe I should contact the FCC. I'm guessing I'm not the only one this has happened to.

UPDATE: I called back before I filed the FCC complaint, but Raven's supervisor, Michelle, wouldn't talk to me.

I asked to speak to Michelle's supervisor.

“Ma’am (contemptuous voice, long pause), we don’t escalate that high. This is not the way to take care of it.”

Then she hung up.

I guess calling the FCC is the only way to get someone to take a second look at Miss Raven's decision.

So I sent an FCC complaint. It's remarkably easy. Just go to this webpage and fill out a simple form online!