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Study Shows Carriers Often Over- and Undercharge for Data

Sep 15, 2012, 4:09 PM by Eric M. Zeman

Researchers at UCLA have determined that wireless network operators are often unable to accurately account for all the bits sent over their networks to end-user devices and vice versa. The result of this inaccuracy can lead to customers being both overcharged for bits not received, as well as undercharged if the customer sends more bits than the carrier counted during a given billing period. The researchers note that overcharging most often occurs when the network sends bits to the cell tower that are then somehow not ever received by the end-user device. In one extreme case, the researchers observed 450MB of data sent through the network that never reached a cell phone. On the flip side, the researchers were able to send 200MB of data over the network that was not accounted for by the network operator. The bit-counting problems typically occur in areas where there is weak coverage, or when customers are streaming audio or video over the network. The researchers concluded that cell phone users in the U.S. are routinely overcharged by a nominal amount (5-7%) for data not actually received or used.

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

whatwhatjbdo

Sep 16, 2012, 10:02 AM

And?

Doesnt every business account for error? Show us not just that there is a problem, but how to fix it.

Try this: Does a certain coffee vender that just so happens to cover the nation in its drink bliss at an average of 4 - 5 dollars a cup "overcharge" it's customers for the drink experience?

This is going to happen in every industry. My Tshirt doesnt have the exact thread count. My car tires do not have the perfect amount of rubber. My CPU has a ~-5 to 5% overclock ability. The Phonescoop articles have a chance to error on the words used on the site (granted, they are fixed quickly and I dont pay to read the news)

Well folks, there you have it. If you want perfection, we need Phonescoop to make us a cell network. Im in! 😎
Love ...
(continues)

T Bone

That's true but the difference is that a lot of people are being charged when they aren't supposed to be...and unfortunately, the billing rules are not exactly 'nice'...and the way the billing works makes it worse....at $2 a MB customers who use only ...
(continues)

LegitSmushmortion

Cell phone use is contractual and a monthly bill. Getting overcharged for something you simply aren't using is not the same as buying over priced coffee.

...

Mark_S

Sep 16, 2012, 9:56 PM

UCLA

Figures...................................... ............. 🤣

MadFatMan

Sep 15, 2012, 4:45 PM

OOPS e Daisy!

Let's keep this our little secret Rich...

Go back to Call Center Customer Care101
1. It is what it is.
2. Yes, that's how long it takes.
3. Pay your bill.

Call Center Escalations 101 the "AIM" method.
A knowledge
I gnore
M ove On

rob

yup thats what it is 😎 👿 😈

rob

t(-_-)

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