U.S. economy gets a B-
Americans say the U.S. economy is getting better. Christine Romans asks economists and business leaders for their take.
Wall Street's new word: taper
The Fed is pumping $85 billion into the economy each month, but it can't last forever. Christine Romans explains 'the taper'.
Men's Wearhouse fires the 'I guarantee it' guy
The clothing retailer won't say why it fired George Zimmer, who was the company's co-founder and executive chairman. Zain Asher reports.
Securing the Stock Exchange
Traders at the NYSE react to news that a plot to blow up their building was disrupted. Alison Kosik reports.
World bleeds, America leads
Christine Romans, Michelle Meyer, and Keith McCullough discuss the economic comeback and the risks threatening to derail it.
Outsourcing American Secrets
In the wake of the NSA leaks, Americans are rethinking whether or not they can trust the government. Christine Romans and Ron Brownstein discuss.
Declassified: The story behind security clearance
In light of Edward Snowden's NSA leak, Zain Asher digs up the secrets behind top-secret security clearances.
Locking in low rates
Christine Romans explains why rates are starting to tick up, and why you have to take advantage of this opportunity now.
Digging your heels in
Despite the numerous problems caused by sky-high heels, women continue to wear them. Christine Romans investigates the risks, and why women still rock stilettos.
AT&T changes upgrade policy
Getty Images/Scott Olson
By CNN's Logan Whiteside
Are you ready to upgrade to the latest smartphone? Not so fast.
AT&T customers now have to wait two years to be eligible for an upgrade. Previously, the wait time was 20 months. This will affect AT&T customers with contracts ending on or after March 2014.
The company is taking Verizon’s lead. The two carriers tend to mimic each other’s policies, and Verizon changed its upgrade eligibility policy to 24-months earlier this year.
AT&T says the new policy simply aligns phone upgrades with standard two-year wireless contracts, but consumer advocates are concerned about the move.
The Consumer Federation of America’s Mark Cooper calls the change “unjustified.” He says because AT&T and Verizon are the biggest carriers, they have less incentive to offer consumer-friendly policies.
“Its intention and effect is to diminish competition. That’s the only purpose at this stage of the game,” said Cooper.
Customers flock to major carriers to get the latest technology, and carriers often subsidize the cost of expensive smartphones.
According to the Pew Research Center, 56% of all Americans now use smartphones. For AT&T, about 72% of the company’s 107 million subscribers own smartphones. With the change in policy, users will be stuck with their phones longer.
Both Verizon and AT&T point out customers are free to purchase a new phone whenever they choose at the sticker price. They’ll just have to wait a bit longer for a cheaper option.
About this Show
They are the biggest issues in your life: Your job, your savings, your home, and your debt. Christine Romans breaks down the business news of the week and shows you how it impacts your bottom line. Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET
