Internet Providers Feature Heavily in "Most Hated Companies" List: [14th Jul 2011]

A list of the 19 most hated US companies has been compiled by The Atlantic with information from the American Customer Satisfaction survey. Among the banks, power companies and airlines, telecoms companies feature heavily. In fact Time Warner Cable came in third, while Comcast reached fourth most hated. AT&T Mobility, Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Facebook also made the top 15. It is thought that a mixture of issues regarding increasing fees, poor services, billing issues and several lawsuits have seen communications companies have a somewhat disastrous year. It has been pointed out by a spokesperson from the American Customer Satisfaction Index that the lack of real competition means that they don't try as hard.


It has been announced that Cisco - the networking company may be losing 10,000 jobs from their workforce. It has been found that the company lost around 6% of the market in recent months compared to their rivals. They have also closed their Flip video camera unit this year. It is thought that losing 5,000 staff would increase operating profit by 8% and decrease expenses by around $1 billion.


A new Pew report has shown that one third of American adults now own smartphones and of these 25% use their 3G or 4G connections as their primary way of getting onto the Internet. This is despite the network providers offering lower caps and higher charges for overages. Those with higher incomes and those under 45 were the most likely to own a smartphone. It was found that 35% use an Android phone while 24% have iPhones. The survey questioned 2,270 people earlier this year.


The FCC has voted this week to put in place new rules to make it easier for consumers to spot unusual fees on their Internet and mobile bills. They are making it illegal for Internet providers to use the practice of "cramming" This is when a third party places unauthorized fees on a phone bill which are often described in a generic manner making it very hard for the average consumer to spot them. The FCC have brought in the law just one day before a Senate hearing on this issue. Phone companies will need to place third party charges in a separate area of the bill and there will be an option to block such fees. Consumers must also be made aware that they are able to complain about cramming if they feel they have been a victim. Last Year Verizon was made to pay back millions after they were found guilty of including a $1.99 charge on bills of customers who didn't even have Internet access.


A story has emerged this week regarding a man who has waged war on his neighbors using his wi-fi connection. Barry Ardolf, aged 46 had tried to kiss the son of his neighbors. He was reported for this offense and his revenge was to hack into his neighbors mobile hotspot to attempt to frame them for child pornography offenses. He also sent emails purporting to be from the family to Vice President Jow Biden which were of a threatening nature. However Ardolf had failed to wipe any tracks which made it very easy for the Secret Service to find out the true culprit. He has now been sentenced to an 18 year prison term.