This is America, I should be able to call who I want!

For a good while now I have been using FreeConference.com for all of the conference calls I set up. Thinking about what we as a company used to pay for conference calling services, I am amazed why we did it for so long.  With so many conference calls being make, services like FreeConference have been a god send to business.  I often wondered how they make money, but have been told they make money on the termination charges to the conference numbers they provide.  They also have premium services that are for pay, as well as even podcast recording services.  I have seen a ton of other people use these services as well.

I was quite upset today when some folks on a call I was holding were not able to dial in.  When we wrote to freeconferencing support, we received back the email I am pasting below.  It seems that ATT/Cingular, Sprint and Qwest are now blocking calls into freeconferencing.com numbers! It seems the dinosaurs are upset about people using the free conference service versus paying the fees these companies have been charging us all this time.  What kind of anti-competitive, unAmerican nonsense is this.  They are actually blocking numbers we call into so they can make more money forcing us to use their overpriced services.  The FCC should be involved in this.  I pay my phone bills and have unlimited calling, how dare these phone companies impose this on us.  If the government did this we would be yelling bloody murder. From the movie Network, this memorable line comes to mind:

I want you to go to the window, open it, stick your head out and yell: "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore."  - Peter Finch, Network

If you agree with me that this is bordering on criminal, lets get together and do something about this! Here is the letter from freeconferencing with some things to do.

Dear FreeConference User:

AT&T/Cingular, Sprint, and Qwest Are Blocking Your Conference Calling

As of Friday, March 9, it's come to our attention that Cingular Wireless has begun blocking all conference calls made from Cingular handsets to selected conference numbers. If you call our service, you receive a recording that says, "This call is not allowed from this number. Please dial 611 for customer service".

Earlier this week, Sprint and Qwest joined in this action, blocking cellular and land line calls to these same numbers. This appears to be a coordinated effort to force you to use the paid services they provide, eliminating competition and blocking your right to use the conferencing services that work best for you.

Don't Let AT&T/Cingular, Sprint, or Qwest Take Away Your Right to Use the Conference Service of Your Choice!

We Need Your Help! Please Take the Actions Below:

Whether you are one of their customers, or an organizer who is being impacted by these uncompetitive actions, please file a complaint with the FCC or send an email to your State Attorney General to complain about this monopolistic practice to limit the choices of consumers.

You can also let these companies know how you feel about their attempt to block competitive services:

• Sprint Customers can click here or dial *2 from their Sprint Phone

• Cingular Customers can click here or call 1-888-333-6651

• Qwest Customers can click here or call 1-800-860-2255

Your FreeConference Team remains steadfastly committed to bringing you simple, convenient and reliable conferencing services at the lowest cost possible. We appreciate your support in this endeavor.

Your FreeConference Team