AT&T Mobility to ease Early Termination Fees

[akshatp]

http://ap.google.com/article/A...PdgYJwiSBJU5gD8SAI2P01

AT&T Eases Cell Contract Restrictions
1 day ago

SAN ANTONIO (AP) ? AT&T Inc., the nation's largest wireless carrier, announced plans Tuesday to ease termination fees and allow customers to more easily change contract terms.

San Antonio-based AT&T's announcement follows similar ones by rival Verizon Wireless, which eased contract change requirements last month and early termination fees last year.

Starting in November, AT&T customers who change calling plans during their contract period will no longer be forced to extend the contract or enter a new one.

Early next year, customers who decide to leave AT&T before their contract is up will pay a prorated early termination fee rather than the flat $175 fee, the company said.

The termination fees, which are currently the same whether a customer quits early in the contract or near the end, have been a longtime gripe of customers who felt trapped.

Mark Siegel, an AT&T Wireless spokesman, said the company agreed that customers needed more flexibility.

"The issue of the early termination fee seemed like an issue of fairness," he said.

Also found at http://www.informationweek.com...VN?articleID=202403410


This is great news for people who want to get out early without paying the hefty $175. But lets wait to see what the prorated fees are. Ive got 8 months left on one of our lines on the family plan that no one is using. Called them up and they said I would have call back after 11/1/07 when it goes into effect to learn about pricing.

 

[PingSpike]

AT&T to now use lube during brutal anal rapes.

 

[Parasitic]

They used to do $240 ETF prorated at $10/month (2 years) or $20/month (1 year). So one'd better hope they dont raise the ETF back to some astronomical level and prorate that.

Fractions of infinity is still infinity.

 

[Cuda1447]

Curious though, why would AT&T want to make it easier for customers to leave them?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Curious though, why would AT&T want to make it easier for customers to leave them?

Because you have a better chance of drawing new customers in. Rather than being draconian about things, they allow users free will.

 

[ElFenix]

i wonder if sprint will follow suit?


i always found it stupid that i have to agree to a 2 year deal if i want to upgrade my plan so that i pay more.

 

[R Nilla]

I have AT&T, and I swear I've been able to change my plan several times without renewing or extending my contract.

I really don't understand the whole service contract business. I really have no desire or plans to ever change my service provider. I would only change if I moved to a different state and my service became unusable or significantly reduced in quality. All companies pretty much offer the same phones at the same rates. Of course, I only use my phone to call family and friends, not for business or text messaging or any of that nonsense, so maybe I'm in the minority.

Do people really change providers that often that this is an issue? I could understand this for business or power users, but even then, don't you usually get a plan and phone through work?

 

[Dracos]

Is this really a surprise, isn't Congress working on a bill to make it easier for consumers to switch mobile phone carriers, including removing early termination fees?

AT&T is just getting onboard before Congress forces them to.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Dracos
Is this really a surprise, isn't Congress working on a bill to make it easier for consumers to switch mobile phone carriers, including removing early termination fees?

AT&T is just getting onboard before Congress forces them to.

Yes, congress is supposedly working on this but how is it going to get past the giant Telco Lobbyists that own Congress?

Don't see it happening although many politicians that are up for re-election are felling heat from the people on this issue.

This is just one of so many Corporate corruption things that have gone so wrong in the pastt seven years.