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Wireless Minutes: You Don't Get What You Pay For
MIAMI -- More than three quarters (78%) of the wireless minutes paid for by consumers go unused on a monthly basis, finds a new survey of the wireless industry by TNS Telecoms, a market information company. The survey also revealed that the average wireless household pays $17.75 more each month than the cost of their monthly rate plan. Factoring in taxes, fees and additional charges, consumers may be paying five times the advertised rate per minute of their contracted rate plan.The survey was commissioned by TracFone Wireless, a provider of prepaid wireless service. "Our subscriber growth rate, quarter over quarter, is a clear indication that more and more Americans are seeking greater control of their wireless expenses," said the company's chief executive officer, F.J. Pollak. Other key findings from the survey found:Consumers who commit to monthly plans of $20 or less are paying 52% more when they get billed.The average wireless household has 1,831 wireless minutes available to them but uses only 452.Approximately 1,400 wireless minutes go unused each month by the average wireless household."