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Wireless Carriers

Heads Up! If you have a Samsung Galaxy Note7, it wont work for much longer!

It is official:  Samsung will send a software update to Galaxy Note7 devices to make them inoperable starting December 19th.  

spontaneous-combustion

BACKGROUND

There are still 130,000 of you out there using your Note 7s so this is an effort to get those potentially dangerous devices off the streets.  You may remember the Galaxy Note7s were recalled in September after a battery exploding/fire issue; the latest theory of root cause is a too-tight phone frame causing the battery positive and negatives to touch resulting in the towering inferno.

 

This week, Samsung confirmed a software update for the device on December 19, rendering the Note7 inoperable.  The update will prevent the phones from charging and will “eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices.”

 

Every carrier is working to provide replacement devices for the Notes.  You can get the latest information at this link.  In most cases, you will get a replacement device plus $25 credit; however, if you stay with a Samsung device, Samsung will give you a loyalty credit of $100.   Already returned yours?  You can still get a additional $75 bill credit in addition to $25 you already received.  Really: check out the link above.

Gotta love Jessica Dolcourt of CNET:  after repeatedly encouraging Note7 users to return their device because its a ticking firebomb, here’s what she says to the question “What happens if my Note7 catches fire”  “It won’t, because you’ve returned it.”

 

When are your drop dead dates?  

The software update will be released by Samsung on December 19th, but it is sill up to the carriers to push out the software updates to the devices themselves.  Below are the dates each carrier will push out the kill software to the devices:

Verizon:  a bonafide fiery drop dead date

Verizon isnt participating because they are concerned their users will not have an emergency device during the holiday period.  Hmm…this is a replacement program, which means users should get a replacement device to use in emergencies.  Verizon could also push this out after the first of the year (like other carriers are also doing) but maybe Verizon wants a very warm and bright holiday season.

All other carriers are cooperating:

ATT:   Thursday January 5 2017:

ATT pushed out this text message: “As of 1/5/2017, Samsung’s software update to prevent the Galaxy Note 7 battery from recharging will be pushed to your Note 7.  The battery will no longer recharge. This Note 7 was recalled and is banned on all flights in both checked and carry-on luggage. Your safety is our priority, please return your Note 7 to the place you purchased for an exchange. For more details go to att.com/note7.”

T-Mobile: Tuesday December 27, 2016

Sprint: January 8, 2017

Sprint stated in a news release:  To drive increased participation in its U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program, Samsung will release a software update beginning on January 8, 2017 that will disable all remaining Sprint Note7 devices from being able to hold a charge,” Sprint said. “This software update will eliminate the ability of these Galaxy Note7 to work as mobile devices. Customer safety is our highest priority. Sprint customers with Samsung Galaxy Note7 should immediately power off the device and discontinue using it. Sprint is honoring the replacement of all Sprint Samsung Note7 devices to any other device, regardless where or when it was purchased, condition and return policy.”

 

And just for a little hope for the new year:   The Galaxy S8 is due out next Spring and the Note 8 is due next fall.

Still protecting your wireless fire-free rights…….

 

Sources:

https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-7-return-exchange-faq/

http://www.fox23.com/news/trending-now/samsung-to-disable-galaxy-note-7-devices-on-dec-19/474873461

 

 

Fie on Fools! What tricks have been played on you today?

Just like THIS SIGN, carrier marketers are sneaky brilliant advertisers.  We have heard so many Carrier Quips that just end up being funny, we sometimes like to make a list.  So, here it is, for your April fool’s day viewing pleasure, we have compiled some of our favorites.

 

4.1.16 Blog

  1. Please hold, you are very important to us ………………………………………………………..…………………………………
  2. Trust me
  3. Turn it off and turn it back on again
  4. Your credit has been posted to your account
  5. I can’t help you with that but let me transfer you to someone who can….CLICK
  6. You’ll have coverage there
  7. I’m sorry to hear that
  8. Please hold, you are very important to us ………………………..………………………………….………………………………………
  9. Your rate plan change has been completed and will reflect on the next bill
  10. No, we don’t give out confirmation numbers for your change
  11. My name is Fred, I am located in the US and you will clearly understand what I am saying
  12. By changing this rate plan, you will save $50 per month
  13. We will manage your bill and call you when better rate plans come out
  14. Your rate plan is only $9.99 per month
  15. Your discount will post on your next bill
  16. We are out of stock on that free device
  17. We won’t throttle you
  18. Please hold, you are very important to us …….………………………………………CLICK ****dial tone******

 

Also, if you have questions about saving your company money through the auditing, optimizing, or managing of wireless services, please click here to contact The Bill Police.

Still Protecting Your Wireless Rights, especially Cody today…….

AT&T Customers, Wi-Fi Calling Is Here!

AT&T has just announced some exciting changes. They have introduced Wi-Fi Calling, which will makes life much easier for those who are trying to make a call in an area with a poor signal. Per AT&T: “AT&T customers can use Wi-Fi in addition to the traditional cellular network to make and receive calls and texts while in the U.S.”

If you’re in a signal-crushing office building or area where AT&T’s signal doesn’t reach, this is the announcement you’ve been waiting for! Here’s what you need:

  • AT&T Wi-Fi Calling capable smartphone*
    • Apple iPhone 6 or Apple iPhone 6 Plus updated with iOS 9
    • Apple iPhone 6s or Apple iPhone 6s Plus
  • Internet connection via an existing Wi-Fi network

If you have these requirements, here’s how you turn it on:

  1. Turn Wi-Fi Calling on or off from the settings menu and phone section of your device.
  2. Call and text just like you do on the cellular network.
  3. Calls will be carried on the cellular network whenever it’s available and will be carried over Wi-Fi only in places where it’s difficult to get a cellular signal.

Wi-Fi Calling looks to be a great supplement to your cell phone plan if you have issues getting a solid connection. However, it isn’t the right solution for all in-building coverage issues, nor a replacement for other in-building solutions. For companies, this could be a great alternative when you are nearing your minutes limit toward the end of the month or if an employee is in an area with poor cell phone reception.

If you have questions about saving your company money through the auditing, optimizing, or managing of your wireless services, please click here to contact The Bill Police.

Still Protecting Your Wireless Rights…

BP Tipline: Quick Info to Reduce Data Usage on Facebook

 

Still Protecting Your Wireless Rights….

Image result for facebook logo

If you use FB from your mobile device, here is a great quick tip how to reduce data usage:  TURN OFF AUTOPLAY on video feeds

The following is a great article on the details and how to turn off Autoplay for iPhone and Android

To read the full article, Click Here

 

Wait. What?! ATT Disorderly Conduct by Overcharging You….

Handcuffs2 OCT14
Handcuff Disorderly Conduct

 

Yet another billing lawsuit by one of the carriers.   Shocking.

 

You can see the whole story here

 

We see these types of overages everyday, every billing cycle, and we proactively get credits back for our customers.

 

You can get help here for a free wireless calculator  or here to see your billing information in one easy to read format so these overcharges are not a shock to you.  We will be notifying ATT or the Settlements Administrator on behalf of our Managed Service Customers if they had managed services during the associated time period.

 

If you did not have Bill Police during this time, ATT is required to notify you if you were billed incorrectly (fox in the henhouse?); however, if this does not happen, you can click on this link to request a refund.

 

Help us to handcuff these charges!

 

Still protecting your wireless bills………..

 

 

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