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Comparing Cell Phone Service Plans Made Easy On ConsumerReports.org With Interactive Tools From TeleBright
Monday, January 29, 2001
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Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports® magazine and Consumer Reports Online® (www.consumerreports.org) and TeleBright Corp. (www.telebright.com), a leading telecom decision support company, today announced an arrangement to bring unbiased cell phone service plan comparisons online for consumers. Consumer Reports Online now provides TeleBright's proprietary IntelliRate® technology at www.ConsumerReports.org to enable consumers to assemble real-time, on-screen price comparisons of cellular calling plans offered by leading national service providers.
TeleBright's up-to-date, interactive listing of cellular service plans in major U.S. markets (searchable by zip code) debuts on CRO, free to all site visitors, in conjunction with the Consumer Reports February cover story, "Cellular Without the Static." Shopping strategies and recommendations from this comprehensive report, which helps shoppers make sense of the choices in both cell phones and calling plans, are available free at www.ConsumerReports.org.
TeleBright's cutting-edge technology automatically tracks the latest calling plan offers from leading wireless plan providers and sorts through reams of data to make simple plan comparisons possible.
"By adding access to TeleBright's interactive technology to Consumer Reports' unique ratings and recommendations, we enable consumers to fully compare cell-phone buying opportunities in one convenient Internet location," said John Sateja, Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Reports Online.
Consumers will be able to read about strategies for buying cell phones and plans, obtain Consumer Reports' own ratings and recommendations for cell phones and call plans, and compare cell phone plan options via TeleBright.com, without leaving ConsumerReports.org.
(To make cell phone or plan purchases, consumers would have to leave CRO, via a link, and go to TeleBright.com. Consumer Reports Online and Consumers Union receive no payment of any kind from TeleBright, its partners, or its affiliates.)
"We're thrilled to provide content on Consumer Reports Online -- we share the commitment to help consumers and we take this responsibility very seriously. The mission of our company, and the heart of our technology, is to provide unbiased plan comparisons so that users make the right choice," said Chet Thaker, President and CEO of TeleBright. "It's important that consumers choose the right plan from the start -- we're here to help."
About "Cellular Without the Static"
The cellular industry recruited its one hundred millionth customer last July -- testimony to the burgeoning popularity of wireless calling. Now the newest cell-phone handset models come packed with high-tech options like instant messaging, e-mail access and simple web browsing. And service providers are offering plans with more calling options. Yet despite this undeniable progress, problems that have plagued the industry from its infancy continue to burden consumers with inflated costs and frequent and frustrating service breakdowns, problems confirmed by a Consumer Reports survey of its readers. Complex pricing schemes and incompatible technologies make choosing a handset and service plan a tough call for consumers.
"Cellular Without the Static" advises buyers how to choose a service plan that fits their needs and budget, reports on the evolving technology, presents test findings of 13 widely available cell phones, and explains how to select models based on features that matter most -- how easy it is to make and receive calls, and how clear those calls sound.
It's the service plan that is chosen -- not the hardware -- that will absorb the bulk of the cellular budget. Consumers should shop first for a plan that offers the best value for the times when they're likeliest to call. Because the challenges of choosing cellular service are as formidable as ever, Consumer Reports offers recommendations to help buyers zero in on a plan that won't disappoint:
Size up needs and weigh all options.
Consider a prepaid plan first to test coverage and service.
Don't gorge on "free" minute plans; keep track of air time.
Check contract details before signing and explore other options when the contract expires.
About Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports and Consumer Reports Online provide consumers with an independent, expert and impartial source of product testing and ratings. All visitors to Consumer Reports Online have access at no cost to helpful advice, safety alerts, recalls, and much more. Site subscribers receive unique product ratings and service recommendations, unlimited access to the latest issue of Consumer Reports, the most recent information on topics Consumer Reports has covered over the past four years, exclusive reliability reports, message boards and more. There are two types of subscriptions: an annual subscription for $24 (current subscribers to the magazine can join for $19 per year), or a monthly subscription for $3.95.
Consumer Reports® magazine and Consumer Reports Online® are published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information-gathering organization, serving only the consumer. They are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, Consumer Union's mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.
About TeleBright Corp.
TeleBright offers new and unmatched opportunities to shop for and save on telecommunications services including long distance, local, wireless, DSL, T1, Internet dial-up and web hosting from the largest number of service providers available anywhere. TeleBright offers free expert analysis and comparison assistance to its clients and provides total service before, during and after the sale -- including e-mail status updates once an order has been placed and a 90-day check-up to ensure customers have received the most affordable option available. TeleBright also outsources its powerful IntelliRate® technology to leading sites across the web through private label and partnership agreements.
The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes
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