Private Lines
About Private Line

Private Line covers what has occurred, is occurring, and will ocurr in telecommunications. Since communication technology constantly changes, you can expect new content posted regularly.

Consider this site an authoritative resource. Its moderators have successful careers in the telecommunications industry. Utilize the content and send comments. As a site about communicating, conversation is encouraged.

Writers

Thomas Farely

Tom has produced privateline.com since 1995. He is now a freelance technology writer who contributes regularly to the site.

His knowledge of telecommunications has served, most notably, the American Heritage Invention and Technology Magazine and The History Channel.
His interview on Alexander Graham Bell will air on the History Channel the end of 2006.

Ken Schmidt

Ken is a licensed attorney who has worked in the tower industry for seven years. He has managed the development of broadcast towers nationwide and developed and built cell towers.

He has been quoted in newspapers and magazines on issues regarding cell towers and has spoke at industry and non-industry conferences on cell tower related issues.

He is recognized as an expert on cell tower leases and due diligence processes for tower acquisitions.

« How long does it take for a radio signal to go from Earth to Mars? | | Good, current writing »

January 08, 2004

Posted by Tom Farley & Mark van der Hoek at 02:15 AM

Consumer Reports Annual Cell Phone Plan Report

Consumer Reports is out with their annual cell phone plan report. It's in the February issue which should be going on newstands now. I have their summary here which makes for interesting reading. No carrier comes out well in their survey, and each service plan seems deliberately confusing so that subscribers can't easily compare rates and services.

The wireless industry continues to promise more than they can deliver, and this has been happening every year since 1984. Customers want large coverage areas, few dropped calls, and good audio quality. The industry responds by providing deceitful coverage maps, routinely dropped calls, and connections filled with static, no sidetone, or voices that make us sound like Donald Duck. Yes, cellular radio technolgogy is wonderful and I am glad it is here. I just wish the wireless industry would conduct itself in a more honest way, explaining radio's limitations as well as its benefits.

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