Did Sprint/Nextel participate in the NSA Datamining?

[Ian David]

I've been getting conflicting info on that.

Anyone?

I know Qwest didn't participate.

[cal04]

1. According to this Yes on Sprint

The National Security Agency has secured the cooperation of large telecommunications companies, including AT&T, MCI and Sprint, in its efforts to eavesdrop without warrants on international calls by suspected terrorists, according to seven telecommunications executives.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-05-nsa-telecoms_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

[importDavid]

3. It's true.

I work deep inside the belly of the beast - checked our databases/records.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. Whatever.

[Ian David]

4. Well, so much for signing-up for Working Assets that uses Sprint Network

Anyway...

Qwest has both long-distance AND cellular service!

http://www.qwest.com/index.html

# Bundle Savings
# Internet/DSL
# Wireless
# Digital Voice

* Local Phone Service
* Long-Distance

# TV Services
# Broadband Voice/VoIP
# User Guides

Fuck Verizon! I'm going to Qwest!

Or I would... except they don't have cellular coverage in Massachusetts.

Qwest Communications International Inc

$189,509 to Democrats
$384,002 to Republicans
$0 to Others
$573,510 in Total Contributions

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/node/1725/view/information




Qwest Communications
2006 PAC Summary Data

Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates (list recipients)
(24% to Democrats, 76% to Republicans) $325,840

More:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.asp?strID=C00237156

Sprint Corporation

$182,774 to Democrats
$340,376 to Republicans
$0 to Others
$523,150 in Total Contributions
http://www.buyblue.org/node/1871/view/summary



Sprint Nextel
2006 PAC Summary Data
Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates (list recipients)
(35% to Democrats, 65% to Republicans)
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.asp?strID=C00089342

[this_side_up]

8. If signing up w/Qwest.......beware! and check your bill

every month.

Last year, I deleted something from our service. The person said No Problem, you will no longer be charged for that. Each bill is 3-4 pages, printed on both sides.
I read through the bill about 6 months later and bingo!
we were still being charged.

I called up and the explantion was: system glitch. they issued a credit which did appear the next month.

July last year, I deleted something else from the service. 3-4 months later, a quick glance at the first page of the bill says we are not being charged for it. Reading through each page (front and back).....bingo! they were still charging the 2.99 customer serivce charge for long distance when we no longer use their ld.

I called and the answer was: systems glitch. They issued a credit.

Qwest is a bunch of thieves, crooks and liars. Goggle Qwest. I don't remember if this is/was more Enron-type stock juggling or fuzzy accounting.

Beware! From what I've read, they are not in very
good shape and have more liabilities and need more
physical hardware upgrades compared to wireless companies which is another reason why their stock is
so low. One article I read more or less said Who/why
would want to buy them when everything is wireless
and they are such a mess??

That said, we do have DSL with them because they finally upgraded the physical equipment in this area.
Our only other choice was comcast (ugh). If I had
the $7-900 or so necessary, (and the monthly fee
of $60? 80?) I'd go with satelite internet
and put up with the disruptions caused by storms.

Guess I'd best start clipping more coupons because I'd
like to dump them next year.

My cell phone (my use only - emergencies) costs
9.99 plus taxes = 12.53/mo and .25 per minute if I use it. I get it through a reseller, I guess - Consumer Cellluar. It is Cingular so I guess it is ATT.

I have no contract with them, so I guess I can change to ? I have no idea. I guess I will email and see who
else they use. Changing means buying a new phone, I guess.

[Touchdown]

2. Yes.

The FCC requires it. All PUCs and the FCC can strip any telecom company from doing business in each state, or the entire USA, if they do not comply with law enforcement/intelligence gathering agencies. Who appointed the cirrent FCC? Who at the FCC is the son of whom? Who can threaten any company with FCC action if a company demands warrants first? Not holding Sprint or anybody else blameless, but they are either afraid of being shut down, or still trying to impress the BoyKing.

Someone on another thread confirmed Sprint's involvement. Qwest is SAYING they didn't comply. I doubt the truth of that.

[NJ_Lib]

5. You really think at this point in this game, QWest...

... would publically lie about something like this? Who are their owners?

[Touchdown]

6. I assume shareholders.

This is a big PR nightmare for those companies that were named. If this is true, and they didn't comply, expect action against them by the FCC, up to and including corporate shut down.

[NJ_Lib]

7. Do you know who named those three companies?

... You would think they would have earned the prize of silence for cooperation, no?

I really hope you're wrong about QWest... I cannot see a company owned by it's shareholders blatently lying in the press about something this important... Although I would believe anything at this point and that's exactly why I'm holding off switching from Verizon, for now, until we hopefully learn a little more about this...

[Avalux]

9. I called them today to find out. Here's what I was told:

The first person I talked to was completely clueless and hadn't heard the news - she eventually found a supervisor of some sort to help me. "John" said Sprint/Nextel has not turned over phone records to the NSA, but he did tell me the FBI "has ways" of getting information if necessary. I tried to get him to elaborate on that by mentioning warrants, and he said the FBI doesn't need warrants, they have "back door channels" they use to get what they need. He wouldn't say anything else. I thanked him and hung up.

[cal04]

10. Sprint Nextel Corp. were less explicit and did not deny any participation

It remains unclear whether other communications providers have been asked for their call logs or billing records. Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson definitively said his company was ``not involved in this situation.'' His counterparts at Cingular - an AT&T/BellSouth joint venture - and Sprint Nextel Corp. were less explicit and did not deny any participation. Even without cell phone carriers' help, of course, calls between wireless subscribers and Verizon, AT&T and BellSouth landlines presumably would be captured.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-5816347,00.html

[durtee librul]

11. I would imagine that a LOT

of calls are being made to these companies asking for more information and if privacy has been violated. I would expect class action suits to be filed shortly....

AND I would expect that chimpy's numbers will be below 20.

We have cingular and you can bet I will be calling in the a.m. and if I find out they have voilated my rights, well, I may just inform them that my next call will be to my attorney to file suit and see what they say other than "go ahead and tough sh*t."

[Ian David]

13. I called and asked to speak to a supervisor

The CSR asked why, and I explained that they don't get paid enough to deal with the kind of venom I intend to spew.

[Ian David]

14. Better than Working Assets: Earthtones? Cellular, Long Distance & Internet

I had Earthtones as my long distance carrier for many years, but that was years ago.

I found their customer service to be excellent.



<snip>
Plus, of course, 100% of our profits support environmental causes!
For more information or to sign up for service, call us toll-free at
(888) EARTH-TONES (888-327-8486)
Sign me up now!
http://www.earthtones.com/data/138/pages/wireless.asp

On the other hand, Earthtones appears to use the Verizon and AT&T networks.