Verizon to FCC: $350 Termination fee justified

[drbob]

Not that I would ever (who could afford to) terminate, but aren't these termination fees getting crazy?! (Wonder if there will be a termination fee on the Google phone?)

Verizon to FCC: New $350 Termination Fee Is Justified

Verizon to FCC: New $350 Termination Fee Is Justified

"It’s standard practice for wireless carriers to include pricey early termination fees in contracts, but when Verizon recently doubled their fee from $175 to $350 for “Advanced Devices,” most were stunned. In fact, the higher-than-average fee even raised eyebrows at the FCC and prompted a formal inquiry."

 

[JayMonster]

I sort of see both sides of this. If the termination fee + cost of subsidized phone < Retail Price of Phone, people are far more likely or willing to terminate in order to "flip" the phone.

That being said, their "advanced devices" list includes some items that are nothing of the kind. And yes, the fees are crazy, but so are the retail prices of some phones.

 

[Martin030908]

It's nice to pretend the FCC actually cares about us

 

[JayMonster]

It's nice to pretend the FCC actually cares about us

Well, between things like this and net-neutraility, I must admit that Chairman Genachowski seems to (OK... "appears") to be working for the average consumer.