CUB Connects’ 2012 in Review
Posted on December 28, 2012 by Ghassan Ammar
Tags, History of CUB and General CUB News, Telecommunications and CUB Connects
CUB Connects had another successful year in 2012! For those who don’t already know, CUB Connects is a consumer outreach and education project of the CUB Policy Center. Founded in 2010, the mission of the project is to provide Oregon consumers with the information and tools they need to select the right telecommunication services for themselves and their families.
This year we held a series of educational workshops through the Multnomah County Library system. Three different presentations were given at six libraries; the topics of these presentations included “Choosing the Right Phone Plan,” “Protecting Yourself from Scams,” and “Understanding Your Phone and Internet Bills.” Those who attended found the workshops to be very informative and helpful, and it even gave folks some valuable one-on-one face time with the CUB Connects team to discuss specific phone and internet concerns.
We also partnered with Portland Public Schools (PPS), whose Roosevelt High School initiated the 1:1 Technology Immersion Pilot, which has put iPads in the hands of its students. This highlighted a need for students to have some form of internet access once they leave the school. Rather than promote one internet service company over another, PPS referred parents to CUB Connects to help them find the right internet plan for their needs and their budget.
The CUB Connects website (available at cubconnects.org) received over 8,000 unique visitors this past year. Whether using the searchable database to find plans available in one’s area—be it for home phone, cell phones, or internet service—or visiting the resources section to find out about special services available to Oregonians, there’s a lot of helpful information to discover!
The CUB Connects helpline (1-855-892-4314) has fielded over 100 calls this year. When it comes to phone and internet services in Oregon, there’s a lot to talk about! We’re happy to speak with each caller, be it about finding the best phone and internet plan, discussing questions about a phone bill, finding low-income options, or helping to file a complaint. We’ve found that many of our callers are relieved to get a live person to talk to who isn’t trying to sell them a service. We’re here to help, so don’t hesitate to give us a call!
We’ve been on a great path this year and 2013 shows a lot of promise for CUB Connects, but also a little sadness. Andrea Crosby, who has been CUB Connects’ Project Manager since its inception, will be leaving the team at the beginning of the year. We wish her all the best and have immense gratitude for all the hard work she’s put into making the project a great success! We look forward to continuing the great work with CUB Connects in 2013!
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03/31/17 | 0 Comments | CUB Connects’ 2012 in Review