AT&T moves to prorated ETFs, too
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 16th 2007 2:35PM
posted Oct 16th 2007 2:35PM
Remember when a la carte messaging fees started to go up earlier this year and a couple carriers started to test the waters with unlimited texting plans, it ended up sweeping the whole freaking industry in a matter of a few months? Looks like the move to prorated early termination fees could be the next big move, with AT&T following Verizon away from hefty fines for canceling plans mid-contract. The company has announced that ETFs will be lower the further you are into your agreement period to offer subscribers "more flexibility," while folks simply wanting to change their plans -- not their carriers -- will no longer be required to agree to new terms. Any other carriers want to join the bandwagon?[Via Phone Scoop]
My company has done this for at least 3 years now, so please don't act like its "new".
Didn't Cingular used to do this???
I work for AT&T. For as long as I've been working there, we haven't penalized customers when they change their rate plan. The proration of ETF's is definitely good news though.
Yeah, kinda funny - I know for a fact from personal experience that they never extend contracts for a plan change, but they're playing it up in the announcement. Go figure!
Chris
I think Engadget should use this AT&T logo when they have a story about them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/girardi/1562746292/
In practice it's been like this for a while (not the prorated ETFs). The contract could be renewed if a person was in the second half of thier agreement AND were switching to a plan with a new promotional feature. But, that feature (unlimited mobile to mobile) has been the same for at least 3 years... so there really haven't been any renewals.
VZW has had "prorated" or variable ETFs since 11/16 of last year.
Maybe its different since Cingular bought AT&T Wireless, but back in the pre-merger day, AT&T had NO problem extending my contract by a year when I changed from a 125 minute plan to the 250 minuite plan (WHICH THEY SCREWED UP AND DIDNT HONOR THE CONTRACT TO BEGIN WITH. As in, it was clear as day on the contract, and 3 months into it I realized I was going over minutes...they REFUSED to honor the contract). I eventually got out of the contract.
ok im not sure why this is an announcement. maybe for publicity or to enfore that vzw isnt the only one with this. but att had been prorating etfs already. and they didnt extend contracts unless you were in the second half of your contract and the new plan had a new promotion, which was like never.
BellSouth Mobility/Cingular/AT&T have always prorated ETFs to my knowledge. I have had service with them off and on since the mid 90's and they have always allowed you to "buy" out of your contract for $20 a month on a 1 year, and $10 a month on a 2year contract,(remaining months) so, how is this news?
Because they went to flat $175 ETFs for any contract signed after February of last year, and people in the old SBC markets had flat $150 before that.
Now any contract customer on at&t gets a pro-rated ETF next year, regardless of location.
I just called CS looks like they havent made the switch just yet.
My husband just called and this doesn't go into effect until 2008. Not sure when in 2008 but hopefully Jan. 1st!!!
Still not in effect. Don't know who people are referring to when they say att already prorates EFTs, but according to store employees and to customer service, this is not currently in effect. I haven't found an official date, but have heard unoffically January 2008.