AT&T Wireless Continues to Improve

Barring some unforeseen circumstance - like Sprint actually adding the BlackBerry Curve to its lineup - I plan to switch to AT&T within the next month. Here is just another reason why I will not hesitate...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- AT&T Inc., the nation's largest wireless carrier, announced plans Tuesday to ease termination fees and allow customers to more easily change contract terms.

San Antonio-based AT&T's announcement follows similar ones by rival Verizon Wireless, which eased contract change requirements last month and early termination fees last year.

Starting in November, AT&T customers who change calling plans during their contract period will no longer be forced to extend the contract or enter a new one.

Early next year, customers who decide to leave AT&T before their contract is up will pay a prorated early termination fee rather than the flat $175 fee, the company said.

The termination fees, which are currently the same whether a customer quits early in the contract or near the end, have been a longtime gripe of customers who felt trapped.

Mark Siegel, an AT&T Wireless spokesman, said the company agreed that customers needed more flexibility.

''The issue of the early termination fee seemed like an issue of fairness,'' he said.