We recently received our Bell Atlantic cellular bill for one of our 
Digital Choice accounts in the Philadelphia BAMS-B 00008 market. This 
system covers greater Philadelphia, south-central New Jersey, Delaware, 
and eastern PA. Digital Choice customers also have home rates apply in 
the coastal Jersey 00250 system as part of BAMS incentive to have people 
use (IMO somewhat flawed) CDMA cellular over analog. Another big 
incentive which BAMS throws in for its digital customers is unlimited 
weekend and generally off-peak airtime for one year for free, and then 
$10 per month for this option after the first year is over. 

After reviewing the bill, it appeared that for a third time in a row --
from the point at which we opened the account -- we were STILL being billed 
for all off peak and "included" home airtime calls, ie, those peak 
minutes which we supposedly get for free.

In an effort to clear things up, I spoke to a number of reps and
technicians at BAMS's Philadelphia support center, and each confirmed that
this was indeed a known problem and that customers should call and request
manual credits. The last person I spoke with (Ginelle) took care of the
credits in a very expeditious manner, however, it is troubling that months
after this plan has been offered they have still not corrected their
billing problems. (These are for calls in the "traditional" home 00008
market, not even the expanded home market which covers the coastal Jersey
00250 system as well, where there are also billing problems with calls
showing up -- and being billed -- as roam rather than home market calls.)

I'd urge all Philadelphia and Coastal Jersey BAMS customers to carefully
scrutinize their bills to ensure that they are paying the proper rate
for weekend/off-peak and included minute calls until BAMS corrects these 
billing issues.

(This post and updated SID list are also available at www.wirelessnotes.org)

Regards,            

Doug