Sprint announced a slight change in their fee structure, which some subscribers took as a get out of contract free card. The new administrative fee takes effect on January 1^st, 2008. The administrative fee is meant to offset some of the cost associated with land line calls. The fee is only .70 cents per month, but it is subject to change without notice.

Since the fee is not a federal mandate, many Sprint subscribers feel that they can get out of their contracts without the $200 Early Termination Fee. The ETF has been a barrier for those who want iPhones with AT&T. Sprint’s retention department is said to be offering incentives to keep subscribers, but with the possible legal loop hole, incentives might not cut it. There’s a 20 page thread in the Sprint users forum detailing the still unfolding conversation.

Sprint customers have one month from the effective date to terminate their contracts without the ETF fee. If a customer pays their bill, waits longer than 30 days, makes any changes to their plan, or uses the services after Jan. 1^st, they are legally entering a new contract with the new fees. They will not be eligible to leave without the paying the early termination fee. If any of this sounds complicated to you, it’s because it is. Sprint is out of touch with a large portion of their users. As long as they keep making things difficult, subscribers will keep looking for loop holes and innovative ways out of their rigid contracts.

I am a Sprint customer with two lines. I don’t necessarily want out of my contract. I simply want a better Sprint. If I can’t get a better Sprint, then an AT&T will do just fine.

Filed under: Industry News, Luis Carranza, Technology