Articles on Terminating a Wireless Contract

Things seem to be quiet on the mobile phone contract font this week. It appears that there are no recent developments on carrier's wireless contracts or cell phone agreement settlements. However, I did come across plenty of articles on how to break free from a contract without paying a large sum.

These informative articles come from fairly reputable sites. They offer options for consumers who want to get rid of a contract but don't want to pay the heavy early termination fee.

Here is a compilation of articles on how to terminate a contract without paying the ETF:

• Looking To Ditch Your Cell Phone? - WNBC.com
• Breaking Free of a Cellular Contract - Wall Street Journal
• Swapping Your Cell - MSNBC
• Dump Your Cell Phone Company - Pcworld.com
• One-Up Your Cell Carrier - Wired Magazine
• Get out of your cell phone contract for $20 - abc-7.com
• Get out of your cellphone contract by "sub-leasing" engadget.com
• Ditch your Cell Phone - Money.cnn.com
• Ditching Your Cell Contract - Smartmoney.com
• A BETTER WAY TO ESCAPE CELL PHONE JAIL - redtape.msnbc.com
• Keep More Cash - Reader's Digest

I hope this collection of articles will help you figure out a way to escape a contract without paying a huge fee.

That's if for this week's post. Tune in to this blog for more news, updates and information on various wireless contract topics.

Google Cuts Nexus One ETF!

It appears that the FCC has convinced Google to take a softer stance on the the equipment recovery fee it imposed on the Nexus One.

The FCC has recently expanded its crackdown on excessive and unfair early termination fees or ETF's that was previously focused on Verizon. Google draw the attention of the FCC when it decided to impose a high ETF on the new HTC Nexus One.

The fee has been cut down to $150, down by $200 from the original fee. The original equipment recovery fee for the Nexus One was set at $350.

The company explained its decision to cut the ETF with this statement:

"Google's overall financial philosophy with regard to operator service plans remains unchanged: We make no profit from commissions from operators or from equipment recovery fees, and our recovery fees are based on operator charges to Google for early termination of service,"

However, some consumers still feel that the fee is unnecessary since carriers already charge a termination fee with its service contracts on the Nexus One.

Verizon Wireless also eased back on the devices included in its raised ETF device list.

That's it for this wireless contract post. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates related mobile phone contracts.

AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile Also Targets of FCC ETF Inquiries

For the past few months, Verizon has been bombarded by questions regarding its raised ETF or early termination fee. However, the FCC appears to have widened its scope and included other major US wireless carrier's in its inquiries.

The commission has broadened it's inquiry into termination fees because "there is no standard framework for structuring and applying ETFs throughout the wireless industry." Letters were sent asking a series of questions probing how each carrier's ETFs are determined and applied. T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint were among the recipients.

Google was also included among the FCC's targets. The company has caught the attention of the commission due to the equipment recovery fee it imposed on the Nexus One.

The companies were asked to detail how each discloses early termination fee information to consumers in advertisements, in statements on corporate websites, in brochures and sales scripts and in monthly bills.

Well, let's see if this inquiry forces these companies to take a softer stand on their ETF policies. Verizon felt the pressure and took off ten devices from products under its increased ETF rates. It will be interesting to see how the other carriers will respond.

Thta's it for this wireless contract policy update. Tune in to this wireless contract blog for more news and updates.

AT&T Settles Wireless Contract Dispute for $18 Million

Here's a good case where a wireless contract dispute worked in favor of the consumers. About a week ago, AT&T has decided to settle an ETF class action suit to the tune of $18 million! This settlement applies AT&T subscribers that paid a flat-rate ETF between January 1, 1998 and November 4, 2009.

These settlement appear to be a loss for AT&T but a closer look shows that paying a substantial amount to a class of complainants is actually cheaper for AT&T. Since thousands of folks are qualified for the settlement, individual settlements to be relatively minor. Of course, the lawyers will take the lion share of this wireless contract dispute settlement.

Anyway, Here is AT&T's statement on the settlement of the mobile phone contract dispute:

We strongly deny any wrongdoing, and no court has found AT&T Mobility committed any wrongdoing regarding these fees. However, we have agreed to settle to avoid the burden and cost of further litigation.

It's important to note that the litigation involves old early termination fee policies of the old AT&T Wireless and Cingular. In 2008 we introduced a new, more flexible early termination fee policy, in which we pro-rate the ETF if you are a new or renewing wireless customer who enters a one- or two-year service agreement.

That's it for this ETF class action suit settlement. Consumers that paid an AT&T flat-rate ETF between January 1, 1998 and November 4, 2009 should take advantage of this small victory. Click here for the claim form. Tune in for more wireless contract news and updates.