iTalkBB starts to charge $2.95/mo Regulatory Recovery Fee

Starting from Feb. 15, 2009, iTalkBB will collect a $2.95 "Applicable Regulatory Recovery Fees, Charges and Taxes". This applies to both new customers and existing customers who have already subscribed to a monthly or annual plan. We, both as iTalkBB users and as iTalkBB promotion agents, are quite pissed-off by this sudden change. The added cost is definitely unwelcome. What adds to it is the poor communication of this change to customers. It's not hard to imagine a wave of complaints and billing disputes following this. I hope this post may help clarify things a bit.

Here is our speculation:

As iTalkBB grows in customer base, it becomes increasingly difficult to fly under the radar for regulatory fees, charges and taxes -- which can be as much as 15% from what shows up in our TV, Internet, Mobile phone, or regular phone bills. It is risky not to fully disclose those fees. At some turning point, iTalkBB decides to pass this to customers. Here is what you can find on FAQ of iTalkBB:

What is the Regulatory Recovery Fee?

The iTalkBB service Regulatory Recovery Fee is an additional charge over and above the basic fee for your iTalkBB service. iTalkBB uses this fee to pay our regulatory-related fees and expenses, including taxes, number portability charges, and related legal fees.

Why hasn’t iTalkBB service charged regulatory recovery fee in the past?

iTalkBB makes every effort to provide its customers with most reliable and lowest cost telecommunications services possible. Nevertheless, we must also comply with applicable laws. As results, the $2.95 regulatory fee will be billed to the customer effective 2/15/2009.

For the existing customers, please beware any out-of-date credit card information on iTalkBB site. Service may be interrupted if charge for this fee cannot be processed:

What will happen if iTalkBB is not able to charge through my credit card?

If iTalkBB is not able to put a charge through your credit card, your service will be disconnected at any time. To avoid your telephone service from being interrupted, please update your credit card information if there is a change. If for some reason, iTalkBB is unable to apply charges to your credit card, to avoid interruption of your service, or possible collections, we would like you to fill out the [Charge Authorization Form - click to download] sign and fax it to 1-800-872-2059 or 1-512-637-1451. After receiving your completed form, iTalkBB will apply the agreed amount to your credit card.

Post your comments below. And let's hope iTalkBB can make the transition smooth and meanwhile keep reducing the cost and improving the service. 

 

Another iTalkBB acquisition? not really

News has it that "the acquisition by Telecommunication Group Huge Group of 59% of the ordinary shares of iTalk has lapsed..."  

What?? another acquisition ?? Didn't 263 Network just invest over 100 million RMB in iTalkBB and get 50% stake in return? 

Well, it turns out there are confusingly too many iTalk's. The one referred above is "iTalk Cellular", which is different than the iTalk Global discussed in this blog, or the iTalk Apple phone, or the software iTalk Internet phone. How confusing!

Survey on iTalkBB Features

You probably have noticed the survey at the top of the blog page. In the past, we had run a survey on the quality of iTalkBB phone:

How do you rate iTalkBB's call quality? 


and on iTalkBB's installation process:

How do you rate the installation and setup process of iTalkBB?

Now we are soliciting your opinion on what features from iTalkBB attract you the most. The survey will run for five months. Thank you for your feedback!