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AT&T (and Verizon) Loosens Cell Contract Restricitons

Monday October 22, 2007 7:38 pm PDT by Arnold Kim
The Washington Post reports that AT&T and Verizon made some pre-emptive changes to their contract restrictions last week to try to appease U.S. lawmakers looking to reform the cellphone industry.

Specifically, AT&T said it would replace its $175 cancellation fee with a prorated system allowing customers to pay less towards the end of their contract. AT&T also said that customers would be able to change calling plans without automatically extending their two-year contract.

This should affect all U.S. iPhone owners under AT&T contract.
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samh004
Posted: 60 months ago
Why would it affect iPhone owners, everything else they've introduced since the iPhone launch hasn't been compatible :p
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theheadguy
Posted: 60 months ago
in other words...

"cell phone companies loosen their grip around americans' necks"
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kayle12
Posted: 60 months ago
On Alltel, you can change you plan ANYTIME.

Even when you're in a contract.

Oh, you don't even have to have a contract.

Kayle
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ross.32
Posted: 60 months ago

On Alltel, you can change you plan ANYTIME.

Even when you're in a contract.

Oh, you don't even have to have a contract.

Kayle


On ATT, you can use an iPhone.
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pmade
Posted: 60 months ago
This is great news. Contract cancelation fines and automatic contract renewals seem so ridiculous to me.

Cell phone service providers are a perfect example of companies that can get away with silly things because everyone else in the industry is doing the same thing. When consumers can switch services freely, or at least with a reduced finical burden, I would hope that the industry as a whole will improve.

Maybe someone can speak to the negative aspects of reducing cancelation fees and the increased freedom of choice. I seem to be coming up empty handed.
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artalliance
Posted: 60 months ago
Quote: "Sen. Ted Stevens (Alaska), the committee's top Republican, said he worries consumers "would be forced into less attractive wireless plans" if Congress intervenes on companies' policies. "If Congress acts too rashly, the end result could be that consumer prices would go up," he said."


The lobbying by the cell phone industry worked at least on one committee member.
:rolleyes:
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miketcool
Posted: 60 months ago

On ATT, you can use an iPhone.


On T-Mobile you can do both, although one is technically not supported...
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artalliance
Posted: 60 months ago

On T-Mobile you can do both, although one is technically not supported...


And you won't get Visual Voicemail.
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CHROMEDOME
Posted: 60 months ago
Does this apply to people just signing up or who are already on contract?

I have about 6 months left on my AT&T contract and I would break it if I could pay less with this new prorated system.
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firsttube
Posted: 60 months ago

On T-Mobile you can do both, although one is technically not supported...


I'm in fact doing just that. 8GB T-mobile iPhone, 1500 anytime mins, 400 texts and unlimited edge data aside from port for IMing, all for under 60.00 a month inlcuding taxes and b*llshit. Although I am using the 5.99 t-zones hack. Works like a charm! :D

hi at&t!
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