The advent of telecommunications deregulation (Telecom Act of 1996) has created competition, but also much confusion for the consumer. The incumbent telephone companies’ response to deregulation have been focused on reacting to the “new” concept of competition by planting seeds of uncertainty, fear and doubt about their new found competitors while grudgingly improving the product, pricing and service to their monopolized customer base.

There are no regulations or judicial decisions requiring telephone companies to ensure their customers are paying the lowest rates, let alone requiring them to refund overcharges if their customers qualified for better rates or are being charged for disconnected circuits or service unless requested by the customer. The telephone companies assume no responsibility to advise their customers of the best possible rate among the myriad complex tariffs and options that are available.... and for obvious reasons. Most bills are paid un-audited by any acceptable accounting standards, therefore carriers and providers are “trusted” they produce accurate billing. Our experience indicates this trust is often times misplaced.