Cingular Wireless/AT&T to Refund $18.5M to California Former Customers

Cellular customers who receive poor service are fed up with early cancellation fees by service providers, and Cingular Wireless/AT&T is feeling the bite.  According to the Associated Press, a settlement was announced today with the California Public Utilities Commission that will result in $18.5M in refunds being issued to the unhappy customers who left Cingular from January 2000 through April 2002.  

About 115,000 former California customers will receive refunds, and the average check is expected to be $160, which includes interest.  These refunds are to be issued within 60 days. 

The commission also upheld a $12.1M fine imposed on Cingular/AT&T in September 2003.  The California courts upheld this ruling and the refund as Cingular knew that their networks were congested and strained, but insisted on imposing the early termination fees in spite of these issues. 

Its about time service providers were held to the same standards of performance as other utilities!