J.D. Power ranks BellSouth tops for business local and long distance phone

A recent survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates shows that BellSouth ranks number 1 in customer satisfaction for business local and long distance phone service consumers. The J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Major Provider Business Telecommunications Voice Services Study(SM) measures satisfaction among small, midsize and large business customers in the United States with both local and long distance service. Companies were judged in several categories, including performance and reliability; billing; cost of service; sales representatives/account executives; offerings and promotions; company image; and customer service.

Connecting your home theater system

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent consumer technology trade association, has developed a Web site to help consumers hook up their home theater systems: The CEA Connections Guide. The interactive guide lets you select which equipment you wish to hook up (e.g. DVR, Set-top box, TV, etc.). It then asks you to choose which components are available on all the equipment you had previously selected (e.g. S-Video, Component Video, etc.). At this point, you will be able to choose which equipment connection instructions you wish to view. Now that you have a detailed guide, hooking up your home theater system should be smooth sailing.

Moving 101: Items you shouldn't move

There are several items that have been deemed too dangerous to move. Professional movers will not move items that are flammable, corrosive or explosive, and you should not move these hazardous materials either. You can look at this hazardous materials list to see examples of items that you shouldn't move. Before packing, you should ask your professional mover for a complete list of items that they will not move to make sure you are compliant with their regulations.

Harsher penalties for phone crimes

Now, people who fraudulently obtain phone records would be subject to up to 20 years in prison, according to new legislation passed Tuesday. According to the article, House Bill Cracks Down on Phone Crimes, the legislation doles out the harshest penalties to those who deceptively acquire phone records to commit violent crimes, like stalking or domestic violence. The bill protects VoIP, landline and cellular providers.

Try Verizon local phone service

Verizon Local Phone Service has several features that can be included with your local calling plan: Unlimited Long Distance, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Home Voice Mail and more. Verizon can offer you several customized services including Local Phone Freedom Packages, Verizon Long Distance and Verizon DSL  High Speed Internet.

New telecommunications bill passed

After much deliberation, the new telecommunications bill was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday. The bill contains important provisions regarding regulation for pay-TV services. According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, "if the legislation becomes law, AT&T and Verizon will be allowed to gain a statewide license to offer television service, bypassing the current regulation for cable operators that requires them to obtain such access by negotiating with individual cities and counties."

Although the bill itself passed, an amendment to the bill that would have helped cement net neutrality was rejected. To read more about the amendment, you can read House Committee Rejects Net Neutrality Amendment.

Moving 101: How to pack like a pro

Everyone from your mother-in-law to your neighbor has tips on how to pack for a move. If you want to check out suggestions on how to pack from professionals, you can read the article Pack Like a Pro. The article gives you tips and tricks on how to pack well, especially if you are packing boxes that a professional mover will be moving. Before you start packing, you should check out this article to avoid headaches on moving day.

Public outcry bring XM's Opie and Anthony back to DIRECTV lineup

Last week, XM's Opus and Anthony were removed from DIRECTV's lineup "in an effort to move its XM radio service to a 100 percent commercial-free music format," according to a press release from DIRECTV. But, due to numerous requests from fans, DIRECTV has decided to bring the radio show back to the DIRECTV lineup. Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, Programming Acquisition, DIRECTV, Inc. said that "the uproar from fans, pleading with us to put Opie & Anthony back on the air, was deafening to say the least."

DIRECTV's subscription plans include XM radio stations along with the satellite television service. With DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package, subscribers have access to 50 XM Satellite Radio's music channels. DIRECTV customers subscribing to the DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE(R) Plus programming package and above have access to more than 68 channels. DIRECTV PARA TODOS(R) subscribers have access to the same XM channels, as well as five additional Latin music channels. 

Free Trial Offer from DIRECTV

If you order from DIRECTV now, you get:

• Free month our most popular package (just activate the TOTAL CHOICE(R) PLUS Package for $49.99/mo.)
• Free standard professional installation of a four-room DIRECTV System
• Free DVR or HD Receiver Lease Upgrade after a $100 mail-in rebate

This offer is available on approved credit. Go to WhiteFence to see additional details and requirements.

Bundles growing in popularity

According to a study from the Leichtman Research Group, Inc. (LRG), 43 percent of consumers say that they live in a household that currently receives a "bundle" of TV, phone or Internet services from a single company. This is up 10% from a study conducted last year.

The report also found that cable subscribers that receive their service in a bundle are about 5 percent less likely to switch from their cable provider than subscribers who do not have their cable service in a bundle. You can view the LRG press release Consumers are Increasingly Likely to be in "Bundles" to find out more about the study.