Verizon said to hike early-termination fee for smart phones

Verizon Wireless is planning to boost its early-termination fees (ETF) as high as $350 (from the current maximum of $175) for advanced devices like the Blackberry and its new Motorola Droid.

Following a report from Boy Genius Report, a Verizon spokesman confirmed to me that they are in fact raising the fees to as much as $350 for smart phones, netbooks and other advanced devices.

Verizon was first to pro-rate early-termination fees, way back in 2006, while the last to do so was Sprint in 2008.

We’ll have more on what this ETF means—and Verizon’s official response—tomorrow. —Jeff Blyskal

Comments

[Stacy]

Is there sny other service that holds us hostage this way? I had alltel and was just switched to verizon by default due to the buyout. I will be switching as soon as my contract is up just on principal.