Getting out of an AT&T contract

[oxcoug]

So I've been w/ AT&T since I came back from the UK in 2003. And for the most part things have been OK-ish.

But their coverage at my sublet in NYC (where I do a lot of my work when I'm on the East Coast) is unbelievably bad. Even at the best spot in the apartment I can't get through a 30 minute call w/o at least one drop. And on this and other ground I'm thinking that the time has come for me to simply drop the damn network and move over to Verizon.

So the question is - if I'm half way through an AT&T contract but they are failing to deliver the service I'm paying them for, do I have some loophole to just kill the contract without penalty? Or am I stuck paying fees if I get out?

[OrangeUte]

You are stuck.

[Uncle Ted]

You could join a branch of the U.S. armed forces. I have heard AT&T will let you out of your contract if you are shipping overseas for duty.

[oxcoug]

You could branch of the U.S. armed forces. I have heard AT&T will let you out of your contract if you are shipping overseas for duty.

Whatever it takes.

[LiveCoug]

Whatever it takes.

In that case, may I suggest the Coast Guard? Go Bears!

[Moliere]

So I've been w/ AT&T since I came back from the UK in 2003. And for the most part things have been OK-ish.

But their coverage at my sublet in NYC (where I do a lot of my work when I'm on the East Coast) is unbelievably bad. Even at the best spot in the apartment I can't get through a 30 minute call w/o at least one drop. And on this and other ground I'm thinking that the time has come for me to simply drop the damn network and move over to Verizon.

So the question is - if I'm half way through an AT&T contract but they are failing to deliver the service I'm paying them for, do I have some loophole to just kill the contract without penalty? Or am I stuck paying fees if I get out?

If this were a possibility I would expect AT&T to lose just about every iPhone customer they currently have within the next two months. AT&T coverage is not great and I can't wait to switch back to Verizon in January 2012.

[Moliere]

Whatever it takes.

You can buy out the contract. I'm sure the agreement you signed has the provisions of the buyout cost.

[hostile]

If this were a possibility I would expect AT&T to lose just about every iPhone customer they currently have within the next two months. AT&T coverage is not great and I can't wait to switch back to Verizon in January 2012.

My AT&T contract was over in December. I'm waiting to see if the Verizon iPhone makes any difference the coverage/bandwidth usage here in SLC. If there is no improvement, I will likely switch to Verizon.

[Drunk Tank]

Call the number on your invoice/receipt to cancel your service. You may cancel service within 30 days from the activation date to avoid the applicable early termination fee (the "Early Termination Fee" or "ETF"). If your Service Commitment includes the purchase of certain specified Equipment on or after June 1, 2010, the Early Termination Fee will be $325 minus $10 for each full month of your Service Commitment that you complete. (For a complete list of the specified Equipment, check www.att.com/equipmentETF). Otherwise, your Early Termination Fee will be $150 minus $4 for each full month of your Service Commitment that you complete. You will be responsible for all applicable usage fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation.

You may have to return any handsets and accessories purchased with the service before your account will be cancelled. If you are allowed to cancel service within the 30 day return period, but do not return the equipment within the return period, AT&T may charge you an amount equal to or up to the full retail price of the equipment.

If you are 1/2 way through your contract already, it looks like your early termination fee would be $150 minus $4 for each month of service complete (unless you started contract after June 1, 2010). So that makes around $100 to get out of the contract? Is it worth the $100 to stay with poor service? I would pay and bail.

[TripletDaddy]

In the alternative, buy a small repeater for your apartment. You can get them on the cheap these days and they help amplify the available signal. However, it may just make sense to pay your termination fee.

I have had TMO, VZW, and currently ATT. I do not have an iPhone, but I have been lucky with my ATT cell coverage. TMO was pretty lousy in South County. VZW is unquestionably the nation's best network in terms of coverage and signal strength.

[Uncle Ted]

In the alternative, buy a small repeater for your apartment. You can get them on the cheap these days and they help amplify the available signal. However, it may just make sense to pay your termination fee.

I have one of the AT&T Femtocells ("AT&T 3G MicroCell") and it works pretty well at home. It uses my broadband internet connection.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

I got it on a promotion so I got some rebates that made it maybe $50.

[Uncle Ted]

FYI, here is a nice write up on the differences between GSM/UMTS (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) technology which helps explain why AT&T seems to drop more calls...

What's the Bottom Line?

In the end, your phone is going to work essentially the same on both networks, and the truth is that the vast majority of users won’t notice any difference. Here are some key points to remember, though:

Calls: In general, Verizon will drop less calls. It’s unclear what impact the iPhone will have on its network, but we don’t expect it to be as bad as AT&T was in its early years. Verizon’s network has proven itself to be more robust.

Speed: In general, AT&T has the faster 3G network, and in some cases it’s a great deal faster than Verizon.

Simultaneous voice and data: Only AT&T is capable of talking on the phone and surfing the web at the same time, but Verizon is working on a solution, saying the fix might be implemented by the end of this year.

I like the fact that Verizon is offering a "free" tethering option with their iPhone plan.

[UteStar]

FYI, here is a nice write up on the differences between GSM/UMTS (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) technology which helps explain why AT&T seems to drop more calls...



I like the fact that Verizon is offering a "free" tethering option with their iPhone plan.

I think there are obvious pros for Verizon. I am sticking with ATT though for now to see how Verizon handles the onslaught of new iphone customers. I also find it strange that you can't talk on the phone and use 'date' at the same time. Strange. The question is - do you want probably better phone service or better technology experience (faster downloads on the network, etc.). Like I said, I will stick with ATT for now...but if after a year, Verizon seems to be doing well, I would probably switch over.

[Commando]

Am I just naive, or am I not alone in thinking that I won't really need to surf the net whilst I speak on the phone?

[Jarid in Cedar]

Am I just naive, or am I not alone in thinking that I won't really need to surf the net whilst I speak on the phone?

Yeah, while you are driving....