U.S. mobile operators defend early termination fees

www.WirelessFederation.com/news The use of early termination fees has been defended by U.S. mobile operators in a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission earlier this week explaining how they are informing consumers about their policies.

Each of the four major wireless carriers, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile USA, along with Google were asked by the FCC in January to detail how they inform customers of their fees in statements on corporate Web sites, in brochures and sales scripts, and in monthly bills. AT&T defended its use of early termination fees (ETFs) by stating that without them, consumers would have to pay more up front for phones.

According to Robert Quinn, AT&T’s senior vice president for federal regulatory affairs, while the vast majority of AT&T’s subscribers choose term commitments and discounted or free handsets, AT&T has millions of month to month and prepaid subscribers.