AT&T Gets Smart, Eases up on Contract Changes

Looks like one more of the big U.S. wireless carriers has seen the light. AT&T just announced that it will allow subscribers to change their calling plans without re-upping their contracts; also, no more flat fees for canceling your contract.

Following in the footsteps of Verizon Wireless, which made a similar announcement earlier this month, AT&T promised that instead of charging you a flat (and hefty) fee for breaking your calling contract, it'll impose a sliding fee based on the amount of time left in your agreement. Also, if you want to change your calling plan—say, to reduce your minutes and your monthly bill—you won't have to sign a new two-year agreement.

I'm not wild about the two-year contracts that the big four U.S. operators hoist on us wireless chatters, but AT&T's (and Verizon's) policy change is certainly a welcome development. Now the question is: when are T-Mobile and Sprint going to follow suit?

Related:
AT&T Decides to Play Nice, Lets Customers Change Calling Plans Without Penalty [Gizmodo]