How to Access Wireless Contract and ETF Information Online

Contracts are notorious for the tricky terms and hard-to-read fine print they employ. This can lead to painful fees and fines for consumers who find it hard to find out when their contract expires and other important details on their contracts. Fortunately, some important mobile phone contract and early termination fee information can be accessed right on your computer. Here are a few tips to help you find out:

AT&T

• Customers can view their contract expiration date when accessing their account online (Att.com/mywireless).
• To find out whether the contract has ended or provide a specific date for expiration simply click on the "My Profile" tab on the far right of the screen and click on "User Info."
• This section also provides a hyperlink on ETFs, which directs customers to an Answer Center that provides specific details on AT&T's ETF policy and fees as well as a two-page "Customer Service Summary" which is a PDF detailing the customer's service, plan, and support shortcuts.

Sprint

Log into My Sprint, select "My Account," and scroll over the "I Want To" tab in "About My Devices." Look for the "I Want To" tab and select the "See My Contract Details" link once the box pops up. This will lead to information on when their wireless contract expires.

Sprint provides a chart that allows customers to calculate their prorated fees. IT also provides a link from the site footer to Sprint.com/terms and conditions and Sprint.com/etf.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile subscribers can get general information about T-Mobile's ETFs within the "Terms & Conditions" link at the bottom of the home page on the carrier's main website . The "MyT-Mobile" account page also provides a link to general ETF policy details via the "Terms & Conditions" link.

T-Mobile does not currently include details about individual ETFs on the customer's online account site.

Verizon Wireless

Go to MyVerizon.com and click on "Change Plan".


That's it for this post. Tune in for more info on mobile phone contracts and related news.

No-Contract iPhone 4 No Longer Available Online

Want to purchase the Apple iPhone 4 without an AT&T contract? Well, you won't be able to do it online. Apple's online web store and AT&T's web store no longer offers the iPhone 4 without a new two-year contract.

Does this mean that one can't purchase the handset without a wireless contract?

Well, no since both Apple Stores and AT&T-owned retail stores are still selling the iPhone 4 without a contract. Consumers can purchase the device for $599 (16GB version) and $699 (32GB version). The subsidized prices of the 16GB and 32GB iPhone 4 remained the same.

Carriers and manufacturers allow consumers to purchase a device without a mobile phone contract as long as they pay the whole retail price. The subsidized price is offered with a 2 year contract and an early termination fee.

The iPhone 4 is one of the hottest mobile phones in the market. It provides new features such as multi-touch, Retina Display, 5 MP camera and a front facing camera.

Tune in for more news and information of wireless contracts news and updates.

T-Mobile 'Unlimited' Data Plan Results in Class-action Lawsuit

Here's a wireless contract dispute that involves T-Mobile USA. A consumer from California has filed a class action lawsuit against the 4th largest US wireless carrier for offering unlimited data but imposing caps data use once consumers are locked into a wireless contract.

The class action lawsuit against T-Mobile was brought in Superior Court in Yolo County, California.

The complainant, Trent Alvarez, alleges that advertisements for T-Mobile's “Unlimited Web & E-mail” plans falsely offer promise the consumer access to an “unlimited” amount of data.

Alvarez received a message that stated: “Your data usage in this billing cycle has exceeded 10GB; Data throughput [speed] for the remainder of the cycle may be reduced to 50kbps or less.” He was unable to do anything with his handsets except make or receive phone calls and text messages.

This cap on T-Mobile's 'Unlimited' Data Plan was only mentioned on a statement “on the very last page of the carrier's brochure. It was reportedly buried in minuscule type barely readable and states: 'Your data session may be slowed, suspended, terminated, or restricted if you use your service in a way that interferes with or impacts our network or ability to provide quality service to other users …'”

Well, this isn't the first time that a US carrier hit with a class action suit based on false advertising of its 'Unlimited' Data Plan. Other complainants have filed cases against other carrier's as well.

That's it for this wireless contract news. Tune in for more information, news and updates on mobile phone contracts.

Benefits of Settlement Agreements on Mobile Phone Contract Disputes

Many consumers turn to class action suits in times of disputes over violations of a mobile phone contracts. Many hope to win a settlement agreement with a wirless carrier who has violated terms of a contract. but what are the benefits of seeking a settlement agreement over a wireless contract dispute?

Well, the benefits of wimming a settlement is varied. Monetary compensation is a common reward for a class member and will be awarded o those who have fulfilled the requirements. This usually includes an Approved Claim Form. Of course, you have to be qualified to be included in the complaint.

Another common benefit offered by a settlement agreement is a phone card that provides a few hundred minutes of state-to-state calling.

Keep it mind that you may only receive one benefit per line.

That's it for this quick post on settlement agreements of wireless contracts. Tune in next week for more info, news and updates on wireless contracts.

Updates to CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service

CTIA–The Wireless Association, one of the groups that fight for consumer rights, have made significant changes to its Consumer Code for Wireless Service.

But before we discuss the changes, you might want to know about the CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service. Well, this important document was originally developed in 2003 to help consumers make informed choices when selecting and managing their wireless service. Since, that was around seven years ago, changes have to be made to keep up with the changes to the industry made over time.

The revised Code includes new provisions that cover messaging and data services for both prepaid and postpaid wireless customers. It will take effective on January 1, 2011.

So what are the changes to the CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service?

The wireless companies that support the CTIA Code must follow the following criteria:

• full disclosure of rates, additional taxes, fees, surcharges and terms of service
• provide coverage maps
• make customer service readily accessible
• allow a trial period for new service

Obviously, these criteria have to be reflected on the wireless contracts of the companies that support the CTIA Code.

There are other changes but you have to read the official release to know them. The Code helps to regulate wireless carriers and keep them from abusing consumer interest on the best mobile phones and other services.

Here are the initial batch of companies supporting the new CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service:

• AT&T
• Cellcom
• CellularOne
• Clearwire
• Illinois Valley Cellular
• SouthernLINC Wireless
• Sprint
• T-Mobile USA
• Unicel
• U.S. Cellular
• Verizon Wireless

That's it for this post. Tune in next week for more wireless contract news and elated topics.

AT&T's Open Letter for ETF Increase

Last may, AT&T decided to change its termination fee to $325 for smartphones and $150 for feature phones. However, the announcement was preceded by leaks that draw the ire of some consumers. To counter this AT&T released an open letter to explain the ETF increase to their "valued" customers.

I know that this open letter is round two months old. However, this might offer some relief and information to consumers who are unaware of the reasons behind the AT&T' early termination fee increase for the best smartphones they can offer.

Here's the AT&T Open Letter:

An Open Letter to our Valued Customers

May 21, 2010

At AT&T, we work hard every day to provide you with a great wireless experience at competitive prices.

One of the ways we do this is to offer you the industry’s leading wireless handsets below their full retail price when you sign a two-year service agreement. In the event you wish to cancel service before your two-year agreement expires, you agree to pay a prorated early termination fee (ETF) as an alternative way to complete your agreement. Of course, if you prefer not to enter into a term commitment, we offer the same great selection of devices at their full retail price with no term commitment or ETF, as well as prepaid GoPhone options.

We are now making changes that will lower the ETF for many customers who agree to new term commitments, and will increase it for others. Current AT&T wireless customers who are within their two-year consumer service agreement or have an existing enterprise service agreement will see no change to their current terms.

Beginning June 1, 2010, we will reduce the ETF in new and upgrade two-year service agreements for all customers who are buying basic and quick messaging phones. Whether you are new to us or upgrading handsets, the ETF will decrease to $150 from $175, and be reduced by $4 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After the term commitment is completed, the ETF will no longer apply.

For customers who enter into new two-year service agreements in connection with the purchase of our more advanced, higher end devices, including netbooks and smartphones, the ETF will increase to $325, and be reduced by $10 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After that, the ETF will no longer apply.

Thank you for being an AT&T customer. We hope you enjoy your AT&T wireless device and service. We appreciate your business and we will continue to work hard to earn it.

That's it for this post. Tune in next week for more news and information on wireless contracts.

The Sprint Free Guarantee for Wireless Contracts

Here's an interesting announcement from Sprint. This was two-months ago dated March 31, 2010. Sorry I missed it so I hope it's too to. Anyway, I think it's good news for consumers as the new "Sprint Free Guarantee" allows subscribers walk away from a wireless within 30 days and not have to pay any sort of fine.

Consumers who terminate the wireless contract within 30 days will money back for the phone. But that's not all. Sprint will also give the activation fee back and refund your entire month’s service including surcharges and taxes. The Now Carrier will also waive associated taxes and Sprint surcharges associated with these charges waived as well as the restocking fee and the infamous early termination fee.

Sheryl Kingstone, Director, Yankee Group comments on the new "Sprint Free Guarantee" wireless contract policy:

"Sprint's new guarantee policy is yet another effort by them to respond to the needs of wireless consumers today. It's giving consumers the transparency they need to best determine whether they are completely satisfied with the services they want from their carrier. Sprint is putting more power in the hands of its customers and helping to create a better experience for them overall."

That's it for this update on Sprint's wireless contract policy. Stay tuned aw we bring you weekly updates, news and opinions on mobile phone contracts.