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• @ mvsap
  I had to respond. If you look at http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/engadget-labs-the-best-mobile-broadband-carrier-in-america/ you will see that AT&T does have the highest data rates for international roaming of the big 4 in the U.S. although not by a wide margin. They also have plans that significantly reduce the international roaming cost that the others do not. The point is that it is not just AT&T. Looking at the numbers pointed out by Engagdet at the website above, it almost looks like price fixing.
  
  Since Verizon is the largest cellular company in the U.S., although not by much, I don't think that AT&T could get away with this if their chief competitor (who is larger) doesn't do similar things. Also, AT&T Mobility is fully owned subsidiary of ATT, Inc.and has been since December of 2006.
  
  Although I believe that all the major U.S. carriers are gouging consumers, just rotating from carrier to carrier is not an effective means to influence change.
  
  SImilar to what is happening with mortgages, the law needs to force ALL carriers to be more explicit on what is included and not included in data and voice plans. And although I think there needs to be more responsibility on the consumer to do his homework, there needs to be more explicit clarity in these contracts as well.
  
  I'm not a proponent of regulation in this industry as it was deregulation that significantly improved the telephone service and cost. You may not recall that you used to rent your phone from the phone company and were stuck with their price for long distance which was significantly more than it is today. Similarly, the cell phone cost has come down significantly from where it was 20 years ago due to competition. I do think that the cell companies should be reviewed for price fixing, and exhorbitant pricing practices such as discussed in the other posts. In reply to: "AT&T Wireless is gouging customers on international roaming charges"

  May 28, 2009

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