Comments on: How Military Members Can Get Out of Cell Phone Contracts http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/ Personal finance for military, veterans, and their families Fri, 18 May 2012 21:07:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Luke http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-15175 Luke Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:59:58 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-15175 That's because they only suspended the contract. With a suspension, you will still have to pay the remainder of the contract when the suspension expires. So if you have 6 months remaining on your contract, you will owe for those six months. What the law says is that the provider can't add any additional time to the 6 months already on the contract. If you don't want to owe anything, you need to terminate the contract. That’s because they only suspended the contract. With a suspension, you will still have to pay the remainder of the contract when the suspension expires. So if you have 6 months remaining on your contract, you will owe for those six months. What the law says is that the provider can’t add any additional time to the 6 months already on the contract. If you don’t want to owe anything, you need to terminate the contract.

]]> By: Ryan http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-6765 Ryan Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:36:23 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-6765 J., Am I missing something? AR 600-18 appears to be the <a href="http://www.whs.mil/library/mildoc/AR600.htm" rel="nofollow">Equal Opportunity in Off-Post Housing reg</a> for the Army. In the spirit of the previous comment, it is possible to get a letter from the orderly room or other personnel office that proves active duty status. This must be planned in advance, because it isn't something most people carry around with them. J., Am I missing something? AR 600-18 appears to be the Equal Opportunity in Off-Post Housing reg for the Army.

In the spirit of the previous comment, it is possible to get a letter from the orderly room or other personnel office that proves active duty status. This must be planned in advance, because it isn’t something most people carry around with them.

]]> By: j. http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-6762 j. Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:14:44 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-6762 You should not copy your military id. It is again AR 600-18. There are other ways to verify you are on AD. You should not copy your military id. It is again AR 600-18. There are other ways to verify you are on AD.

]]> By: Erin http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-2462 Erin Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:24:12 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-2462 We PCS'd from Okinawa Japan 9/2009 the week prior I went into the store to give notice I will be canceling acct. but was told to come back when I want phone off. The day before leaving island I went into store to cancel acct. We left island at and in route I checked to see if my phone was cancelled it was still active. During lay over I contacted Docomo to cancel the phone I was told i had to come into store. Now its April 2010, the acct is not cancelled. I still fight with them. I have turned in everything they requested. Only problem I no longer have our passports so they won't cancel it. I also had friends in okinawa try to get this acct cancelled. Nothing is working. I will NEVER use docomo ever again.. We PCS’d from Okinawa Japan 9/2009 the week prior I went into the store to give notice I will be canceling acct. but was told to come back when I want phone off. The day before leaving island I went into store to cancel acct. We left island at and in route I checked to see if my phone was cancelled it was still active. During lay over I contacted Docomo to cancel the phone I was told i had to come into store.

Now its April 2010, the acct is not cancelled. I still fight with them. I have turned in everything they requested. Only problem I no longer have our passports so they won’t cancel it. I also had friends in okinawa try to get this acct cancelled. Nothing is working. I will NEVER use docomo ever again..

]]> By: Bryce http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-2268 Bryce Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:46:33 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-2268 Not only do you have the law but also their website says: Military Personnel Can Suspend Their Accounts Military customers simply bring or send in a copy of their Military Orders. AT&T will hold the account and wireless number in suspended status so the customer can keep the same wireless number upon their return. Military Cancellations Military customers simply bring or send in a copy of the transfer documentation or deployment orders. AT&T will waive all early termination fees for those customers called to active duty and/or re-deployed to a non-AT&T service area. Service must be active for over 30 days to be eligible for a Military Cancellation. Military personnel interested in this program should call 1-800-331-0500 or visit their local AT&T retail store. Since youe are overseas, and cant receive service. You can cancel. Not only do you have the law but also their website says:

Military Personnel Can Suspend Their Accounts
Military customers simply bring or send in a copy of their Military Orders. AT&T will hold the account and wireless number in suspended status so the customer can keep the same wireless number upon their return.

Military Cancellations
Military customers simply bring or send in a copy of the transfer documentation or deployment orders. AT&T will waive all early termination fees for those customers called to active duty and/or re-deployed to a non-AT&T service area. Service must be active for over 30 days to be eligible for a Military Cancellation.

Military personnel interested in this program should call 1-800-331-0500 or visit their local AT&T retail store.

Since youe are overseas, and cant receive service. You can cancel.

]]> By: Ryan http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-2181 Ryan Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:13:10 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-2181 Elizabeth, Try contacting their customer service department, getting a name and employee number of the person you talk to, and repeat the process while working your way higher up the chain. 3 years is unacceptable for something like this. You may also consider contacting your base legal office for more assistance. Elizabeth, Try contacting their customer service department, getting a name and employee number of the person you talk to, and repeat the process while working your way higher up the chain. 3 years is unacceptable for something like this. You may also consider contacting your base legal office for more assistance.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-2180 Elizabeth Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:39:23 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-2180 "(2) in the case that such servicemember is deployed outside the continental United States as described in subsection (a), permit the servicemember to suspend the contract at no charge until the end of the deployment without requiring, whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the contract be extended." An explanation of the previous anyone? It says that "without requiring, whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the contract be extended." AT&T is saying that they will put it in a 'military suspension' for my 3 year tour in Belgium, but when I get back to the states, I'm obligated to maintain their company for the 6 months left on my contract right now. This seems asinine and against what was previously stated as a part of public law 110-389... “(2) in the case that such servicemember is deployed outside the continental United States as described in subsection (a), permit the servicemember to suspend the contract at no charge until the end of the deployment without requiring, whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the contract be extended.”

An explanation of the previous anyone? It says that “without requiring, whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the contract be extended.” AT&T is saying that they will put it in a ‘military suspension’ for my 3 year tour in Belgium, but when I get back to the states, I’m obligated to maintain their company for the 6 months left on my contract right now. This seems asinine and against what was previously stated as a part of public law 110-389…

]]> By: Jeff http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-1781 Jeff Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:19:06 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-1781 Get out of your cellular contract when you deploy by educating yourself. This is law as of 10/10/2008. Text of S. 3023 [110th]: Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 Oct 10, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-389 SEC. 805. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR CERTAIN SERVICEMEMBERS. (a) In General- Title III of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 531 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 305 the following new section: SEC. 305A. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE. (a) In General- A servicemember who receives orders to deploy outside of the continental United States for not less than 90 days or for a permanent change of duty station within the United States may request the termination or suspension of any contract for cellular telephone service entered into by the servicemember before the date of the commencement of such deployment or permanent change if the servicemember’s ability to satisfy the contract or to utilize the service will be materially affected by such deployment or permanent change. The request shall include a copy of the servicemember’s military orders. (b) Relief- Upon receiving the request of a servicemember under subsection (a), the cellular telephone service contractor concerned shall-- (1) grant the requested relief without imposition of an early termination fee for termination of the contract or a reactivation fee for suspension of the contract; or (2) in the case that such servicemember is deployed outside the continental United States as described in subsection (a), permit the servicemember to suspend the contract at no charge until the end of the deployment without requiring, whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the contract be extended. (c) Cellular Telephone Service Defined- In this section, the term ‘cellular telephone service’ has the meaning given the term ‘commercial mobile service’ in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d)). (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents for that Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the following new item: Sec. 305A. Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone service. Get out of your cellular contract when you deploy by educating yourself. This is law as of 10/10/2008.

Text of S. 3023 [110th]: Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008
Oct 10, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-389

SEC. 805. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR CERTAIN SERVICEMEMBERS.

(a) In General- Title III of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 531 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 305 the following new section:

SEC. 305A. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE.

(a) In General- A servicemember who receives orders to deploy outside of the continental United States for not less than 90 days or for a permanent change of duty station within the United States may request the termination or suspension of any contract for cellular telephone service entered into by the servicemember before the date of the commencement of such deployment or permanent change if the servicemember’s ability to satisfy the contract or to utilize the service will be materially affected by such deployment or permanent change. The request shall include a copy of the servicemember’s military orders.

(b) Relief- Upon receiving the request of a servicemember under subsection (a), the cellular telephone service contractor concerned shall–
(1) grant the requested relief without imposition of an early termination fee for termination of the contract or a reactivation fee for suspension of the contract; or
(2) in the case that such servicemember is deployed outside the continental United States as described in subsection (a), permit the servicemember to suspend the contract at no charge until the end of the deployment without requiring, whether as a condition of suspension or otherwise, that the contract be extended.

(c) Cellular Telephone Service Defined- In this section, the term ‘cellular telephone service’ has the meaning given the term ‘commercial mobile service’ in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d)).

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents for that Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the following new item:

Sec. 305A. Termination or suspension of contracts for cellular telephone service.

]]> By: Ryan http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-308 Ryan Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:59:33 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-308 Justme, I'm sorry to hear about your issues with AT&T. It really is unfortunate because they shouldn't hold you to a contract when you are not physically in the country. Have you considered going to your base legal office for assistance? They may be able to help. Telling AT&T you will contact the Better Business Bureau may also help. Another idea is to tell your story to <a href="http://consumerist.com/" rel="nofollow">The Consumerist</a>. They may print it which would bring a lot of bad press to AT&T (which they always want to avoid). I wish you the best in getting the situation resolved. Justme,

I’m sorry to hear about your issues with AT&T. It really is unfortunate because they shouldn’t hold you to a contract when you are not physically in the country. Have you considered going to your base legal office for assistance? They may be able to help. Telling AT&T you will contact the Better Business Bureau may also help.

Another idea is to tell your story to The Consumerist. They may print it which would bring a lot of bad press to AT&T (which they always want to avoid).

I wish you the best in getting the situation resolved.

]]> By: justme http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/comment-page-1/#comment-302 justme Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:44:36 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=102#comment-302 We are currently going through this battle with AT and T wireless. My family PCSed to Germany in May and here it is JUly and they are still claiming that my contract is not terminated. THis after AT and T never gave us the 19 percent miitary discount we were promised (which was the only reason I switched providers) and after they started two lines for me instead of one when I first signed up for service. The state of cellular phone service in the US is utterly disgraceful. We are currently going through this battle with AT and T wireless. My family PCSed to Germany in May and here it is JUly and they are still claiming that my contract is not terminated. THis after AT and T never gave us the 19 percent miitary discount we were promised (which was the only reason I switched providers) and after they started two lines for me instead of one when I first signed up for service.
The state of cellular phone service in the US is utterly disgraceful.

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