Do YOU Poken?

Do I POKEN?  People are asking me "What is Poken? How would I Poken?"

Poken: noun. product called Poken; verb.  to connect using the product Poken. 

Poken is the newest way to get connected and stay connected worldwide, and was voted the Top New Gadget for 2010 by Fox News!


Poken is small, portable and takes just a second to connect by "Hi 5" - always ready for your social or business network.

Meet someone at an event or in the elevator? Poken can capture their information for you before the door opens! Forget a name but remember where you met them? Poken can remember! All your business and social network contacts in one place!

Poken manages all  popular social and business networks. Poken comes in many styles and fashion colors to match your personality!

Poken is not a  service, it's a consumer product, so there are no monthly service fees - just purchase and use...and Poken is so inexpensive (basic Poken is just $19.95) that you can have one for your whole family.  A great gift for Valentine's Day, too :)



Find out more about this great new product on our website and get your own poken: http://poken.chamberlaincommunications.com 

Next time someone asks you if YOU Poken, you can assure them that you do!

Go Green Wireless and Get Paid!

 Cellular Phones and Accessories are recyclable! But did you know that all of the following are 100% recyclable AND you can get paid for doing so?

 * wireless phones
 * PDA (wireless network)
 * Wireless Computer Cards
 * Batteries, Chargers, Cables, Headsets
 * Cases, Clips, Cradles, Earpieces

So how do you recycle these products?
1. Make sure you terminate your service with the carrier!
2. Clear the phones memory
3. Remove SIM Cards
4. Visit our website:  '

Then what do you do?  Contact us at Gazelle!

VISIT GAZELLE CELL PHONE RECYCLERS

At Gazelle, we evaluate the condition and lifespan of the phone/accessory.
Based on that evaluation, the device or accessory will be
   a. Reused (re-issued to charities, for example)
   b. Refurbished (re-issued back in public service)
   c. Recycled/Recovered (at end of life, for parts).

The good part is that we offer you a price for your wireless recyclables! In fact, we pay for shipping and even send you a box! Check us out today!


VISIT GAZELLE CELL PHONE RECYCLERS

In the News

There has been alot of talk and studies in the recent news about the risks of using a cell phone. It reminds me of the old days of cigarettes - if you are old enough, smoking was the in thing to do.  Everybody smoked from the doctor's  office to the bank.  It was social, acceptable and the dangers were unknown.  Over time and many studies, of course, we have found that smoking has many unhealthy benefits.  Now no smoking is allowed inside a building.

Will it be the same with cell phones?  The cellular industry is relatively new and the opportunities for long term study of the effects of using wireless is yet to be known, but early estimates are that the wireless radio waves can do damage to users, and the longer the use the more likely the health risks.

The latest studies have concluded that the greater risks are to the young who seem to use the cell phone almost continuously throughout the day.  Over a period of time, that use is thought to be a concern. So 30 years from now, will we be looking at cell phone users the same way we look at smokers?

For how you can reduce your exposure and lessen the believed health risks of using wireless devices, read the complete article "Healthy Wireless"  at our Consumer Library.

Doesn't that Stink!

Every so often I'll offer a "Doesn't That Stink" post.  Today's concerns cellular taxes. If you have a wireless phone service you have probably already expressed this opinion.  In fact, wireless taxes are two times the normal taxes on consumable products and services! 

Here is a break down of what you pay to have even have wireless service:
1.  State Tax ranging from 0% to almost 10%


2.  Universal Service Fund Fee (allowed, but not required by the federal government)


3.  Local Taxes

4. Regulatory Fees:
 * Wireless Portability Fee - the ability to take your number from carrier to carrier 
 * E911 Fees
 * TTY Fees (impaired users)

5. Adminstrative Fees (basically anything the carriers want you to pay for)

    Might include Handset Insurance, Overage Charges, Early Termination Fee, Activation Fee...

All in all the percentage of just telecommunications taxes and fees alone added on to your bill range from 7.97% in Nevada to over 33% in Virginia. 

We say "Doesn't that Stink!"

It is not the purpose of this blog to give be a guide to your cell phone bill, but we can direct you to more on the topic...   

You can see a "Guide to your Cell Phone Bill" on CNET:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11288_7-6464118-4.html

Also look at the FCC's take on Taxes on Your Wireless Bill:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/understanding.html
Regardless of what carrier you use, regardless of what phone you use, regardless of how much or how little you use your cell phone, the taxes, fees and surcharges that you, as a consumer,  pay for that privilege is outrageous!

Take a look at your recent cell phone bill and see if you don't agree.

For more Wireless related articles visit our website.
http://cellular.chamberlaincommunications.com/cellular.php
Try out our Cellular Plugin to compare carriers, service plans and phones available in your area.

Consumer's Corner Goes Blogging!

Welcome to the re-emergence of our popular Consumer's Corner section of our website via the blog!  Here you will find consumer information  (mainly about the telecom industry - voice and internet) that makes you a smarter, more informed consumer.  We are consumers too, so no fancy "shop talk" here.  Just stuff you should know and might not.   We encourage you to post a comment for discussion and follow our blog on a feed.  Visit our website Chamberlain Communications for Voice and Data Solutions for your home or business.

I already have an idea for the first topic so stay tuned :)