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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 24, 2003)
S98910 mm sirnon 199 E. 5th Ave • (541) 484 1334 Come see our sushi-go-round and open grill Sushi Starting at $1.75 We serve tempura udon yakisoba teppanyaki teriyaki lunch box and more... Take out available ■sssasan /4nt ‘itytafontf s4ttmcutce& <z Heat (faunae fiw TVirtten, 2004 Medieval Paris: Art & Architecture ARH 410/510, CRNs 26024/26025, Monday/Wednesdays, 16-17:20, 166 Lawrence Hall Elizabeth Hudson, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor 017815! — This course surveys artistic developments in and around Medieval Paris during the Gothic period (1150-1350). We will consider the production of manuscripts, stained glass, sculpture, and architecture alongside the history of Paris, as an urban center and royal capital. No prerequisites but ArH 205, 314, or a Medieval course in any discipline is suggested. You're always close to campus. —» www.daiiyemerald.com Danielle Hickey Senior Photographer Sales representative Steve Zagar of Totally Cellular in the EMU prepares for the new cell phone law that will go into effect Monday, WIRELESS continued from page 1 Areas, which are heavily populated ar eas designated by the United States Census Bureau, visit http://www.fcc.gov. Although the FCC rules do not usu ally apply to those moving from one geographic area to another, they can apply to service switches from a land line carrier to a wireless carrier. In agreement with the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the FCC first considered the option as a means of increasing competition within the wireless and land line industries. The wireless industry is already very com petitive, however, so the FCC does not regulate the rates of wireless service providers. But for consumers, compe tition always brings the lowest prices. "It will certainly boost competition between service providers because it makes the change easier," Zagar said. "We'll have to fight a little harder to stay in the market." According to the FCC Web site, carri ers are allowed to recover their costs of implementing the portability rules by charging fees to customers. Carriers have been allowed to charge monthly fees — from a few cents to more than $1— in advance of today's deadline because they have been incurring costs for service upgrades to prepare for it. For the benefit of their new cus tomers, some carriers may choose to pay the old carrier's costs of switching. Consumers should ask new carriers about policies for paying or reimburs ing such charges. Although they can keep their cur rent numbers, consumers who switch services may also need to buy a new phone. Consumers should ask their new carriers whether their current phones will work within the new network. Money matters aside, environmen talists say consumers who quickly take advantage of this new option aren't considering it's potentially neg ative effects. "This is just another indication of consumerism that doesn't consider en vironmental concerns," environmen tal studies Professor Galen Martin said. Considering the new FCC rule may cause consumers to purchase new phones, Martin said it may serve to worsen the overflowing conditions of landfills, just like "anything else that promotes a throw-away mentality." Although switches from land lines to mobile phones may decrease the number of phones needed per house hold, Martin said the constant temp tations of new cell phone upgrades only encourage overconsumption of communications technology. "It's obsolescence in the name of convenience and profit," he said. Besides extra charges and environ mental concerns, consumers could also experience technical difficulties in the new number portability process. Although wireless to wireless switch es may only take a few hours, land line to wireless switches may take several business days to complete. Also, land line to wireless switches do not carry over long distance services because the new wireless carrier will provide them. During the switching process from the old carrier to the new carrier, the FCC warns that consumers may also experience a period of "mixed service," during which two phones may have the same number. For this reason, the FCC advises consumers to ask new car riers how long the process will take and how it will affect location-based fea tures, such as emergency 911 services. "No doubt there will be some bumps in the road to implementa tion, but I trust that carriers will use their best efforts to ensure consumers have the highest quality experience possible," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said in a press release. For more information about wire less number portability, call the FCC's consumer center toll-free at 1-888 CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). Contact the business/science/ technology reporter at caronalarab@dailyemerald.com. Steps to Take Before Switching Carriers • Compare rates and coverage Choose a carrier that provides the value, services and technology that best fit your needs. • Review your current contract Make sure you know what early termination fees apply. Carriers are not allowed to refuse to transfer a number because a fee or outstanding balance has not been paid. Wff/A Jim MS. • Do not cancel existing service. Contact your new carrier and it will handle all rite details of the transfer. HhUB • Bring a copy of a recent phone bill, which wfl have aK the account Information. beginning Nov. 24,2003, if you live In other areas, carriers have until Ma* . Expect to get a new phone. Your ole service provider's telecommunkalio Use your phone Things to Know
