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AT&T eases cell contract restrictions
By Associated Press
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SAN ANTONIO -- 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.

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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

In Japan wrote on Oct 17, 2007 10:01 PM:

" Due to the plan I chose, when I got a cell phone they warned me that if I cancelled early I'd be charged a large cancellation fee...of $90US. I think I laughed when I heard this. After having mobile service in two different countries, I can really see the pros and cons of US mobile. I don't know the justifcation US companies use for their pricing/fees/contracts but really, they do it because they can and there is no alternative. The good thing about US plans is the number of minutes you get. I pay $40 for 62 minutes of free call time. What the heck? "

Wendy wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:13 AM:

" Yes, I loved Cingular - AT&T - not so much. "

Fair wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:16 AM:

" If this is now fair, do we get an apology for them being unfair for all these years? "

Fed Up With AT&T wrote on Oct 16, 2007 5:43 PM:

" This is great news! Ever since AT&T took over Cingular, I have had nothing but dropped calls and shoddy service. I will certainly take advantage of a reduced early termination fee to go to another carrier! "
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