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FCC Not Satisfied with Verizon's ETF Explanation

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T-MO has it right.

Mektah

Dec 24, 2009, 1:47 AM
I just wish all companies would go the route tmobile is going. If you want no contract, then you get no phone discount.
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qcjl84

Dec 24, 2009, 2:53 AM
VZW offers a month-to-month option, they have since around mid 2008. You can purchase the equipment from them at full retail or you can provide your own (old phone, purchase from eBay).

Note that this is NOT prepaid. You get the exact same pricing and feature options as a postpaid customer with a contract.

No contract required, and 100% no ETF.
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bp3dots1

Dec 24, 2009, 7:20 AM
Same on Sprint. I believe the only company that doesn't allow this is AT&T. (if anyone knows for sure, chime in)
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GeeksAreBest

Dec 24, 2009, 9:13 AM
Actually, we do offer that option. We only contract for reduced prices of the handsets.
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h_aguilar84

Dec 24, 2009, 12:53 PM
The difference between T-Mobile and other 3 is that you are paying less per month with the no contract option than you would be with a contract. The price of the subsidy is built into the monthly rate plan you pay per month. With the other 3 companies, you still pay the same price per month regardless if you bought the phone at full price, using your own equipment, or signed a contract to get the phone at a cheaper price. T-Mobile gives you a non-subsidy rate plan that is cheaper in exchange for buying the phone at full price or using your own phone, plus not have a contract. That is the point the original poster is trying to make.
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Azeron

Dec 24, 2009, 4:05 PM
I love this T-Mobile option. ALL carriers should offer a similar option.
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dthree

Dec 24, 2009, 4:21 PM
I've been saying this for years. It's the main reason I'm leaving the evil empire for TM when my contract is up in january. I suggest they offer financing so that customers have the opportunity to spread out their phone costs.
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Mateo6288

Dec 24, 2009, 6:13 PM
TMO does offer financing, 4 month or 20 month no interest
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tlgreene1021

Jan 1, 2010, 4:28 PM
Just to further clarify, on a contract plan you can divide the subsidized phone cost into 4 payments. The 1st payment plus the full amount of the sales tax is required in-store. If you decide to go the no contract route, you can split it into 20 payments with the 1st payment and tax required up front...depending on your credit.
This is a great option for customers and because the plans are at least 10 bucks cheaper per month, in most cases it's cheaper to do a non-contracted rate plan with the 20 installments than the contracted plans and paying the subsidized price for the phone.
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Azeron

Dec 24, 2009, 4:03 PM
I did not realize Sprint offered a month-to-month option if I provided my own equipment. I wanted to sign up back in 07 but was rebuffed. I was told I had to sign a two year contract even with my own phone.
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Menno

Dec 24, 2009, 4:37 PM
it could be a new change.
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SprintCC

Dec 24, 2009, 7:03 PM
Policy is that all new activations require a 2 year agreement. If you use existing equipment you're just eligible for an upgrade from day one of your service.

That said, I know of plenty of instances where people have added lines or started service without the agreement- it is just a matter of convincing the Welcome agent that you're not supposed to have a contract. It is out of policy and there is no guarantee, but I know it happens.

As it is, Virgin and Boost are the only ways to have Sprint service without a contract that I'm aware of. But with their $50.00 unlimited deals, I don't know why you'd pick Sprint in that case any way.
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Azeron

Dec 24, 2009, 8:03 PM
My ex has Sprint and once she called in to complain about coverage in our area and the rep added Roaming to her account for free and told her to just switch to roaming (Verizon) whenever she encountered the coverage issue (which was always). I thought it was hilarious. However, that is the answer to your question in part at least. I'd go to Page Plus if I didn't have four lines (two under contract/two smartphones) better coverage than Boost or Virgin and ten dollars cheaper. I try to send as many Verizon customers as I can when asked how they can lower their Verizon bill. Anyway, I don't think Virgin can roam off Verizon and as Boost is IDEN I am fairly certain that they cannot, whereas Page Plus IS on VZW's network and further proof th...
(continues)
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hidanicol

Dec 24, 2009, 6:18 PM
US Cellular already has this. No contract, no discount, no promo plan, but you can still have top-notch customer service and reception!
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Azeron

Dec 24, 2009, 8:07 PM
Cool... So Verizon, AT&T and US Cellular offer Month-to-Month options with no handset or plan discounts. T-Mobile offers Month-to-Month AND a price break on rate plan costs. T-Mobile wins on price and reportedly excellent customer service as well. Only drawback (for some) my be coverage.
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ibnturab

Dec 24, 2009, 9:14 PM
I agree, t-mobile has one of the best options out there. The best option that folks don't know about though is the flexpay monthly option, which gives you the exact same plan[ unlimited data included] as the post paid ones but you prepay in advance. Its nice knowing you'll never get a phone bill and will never have any suprises. I agree about the coverage, definately on the 3g because its restricted to urban areas and larger suburbs.
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Globhead

Dec 24, 2009, 10:35 PM
But they still charge you the same monthly rates, which are priced to include the cost of a phone every year or two.
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obvious

Jan 3, 2010, 5:27 PM
you're so wrong it's not even funny

"look at me i have fingers that i can hit on a keyboard that produce non sense"
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Globhead

Jan 4, 2010, 7:41 PM
My mistake, you are correct. The money for those phones just comes out of nowhere.
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