KrisL1

When you have a contract with a service provider usually around two years in the US. If I wanted to transfer my phone and number to a different provider, will the provider I have now see that as a breach of contract on my part and will I have to pay a large fee? I am new to doing this so I am just wanting to know if it possible to be done with out extra cost.

caleyjag

In my experience yes, there will be a termination cost. You can transfer the number but the new provider will contact the old one to do it.

The size of the termination cost is usually dependent on the length of time left on your original contract.

Bob

Plus if within the initial contract period, the termination fee which is usually between $200-400.

Transferring the number is the easy bit, but some providers won't do that if you are still within your initial contract period, only doing it if you had extended the contract or were out of contract.

Kar98

Yes, they will charge you a ETF.
After prorated ETFs became mandatory by law for the providers, i.e. the further along you're into your contract, the lower the fee has to be, they retaliated by raising the ETF astronomically, especially for smartphones.

/not gonna enter a long term contract with any cellphone provider again

Tarkak9

Can anyone here explain the difference between service agreements vs contracts in regards to cell phone carriers with implied and enforceability etc? I've never provided any signature and never have seen any terms and conditions. The extent which I know is that by nature they are bi-lateral agreements but since they have your SS# they can f*** with your credit history if they so wish and then you'd have to petition it etc...

celinaB

Signing a service contract with a cell phone carrier is often necessary to get the cellular service and the cell phone that you want. But committing to a two-year contract can be intimidating, even if you're not a commitment-phobe.

Kar98

There are so many pay as you go and pay by the month options available, which are cheaper, don't require a credit check, it doesn't make any sense o enter a two year contract.

markwm

Agreed: better to buy the phone you want and then get a pay-as-you-go sim. I use the AT&T 10c a minute plan (I don't make a lot of calls). I don't need data as I'm rarely far from WiFi or a pc and I add the $10 a month international calling to my wife's phone. Keeps the costs low and I'm not locked into anyone.

Bob

And it's so easy to port the number that it makes life a lot easier changing carriers whenever another one offers a better deal.