Posted on 03/31/2011 11:11:21 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Several users have written in to note that AT&T is sending out notifications that their terms of service have changed. The update includes a large number of things AT&T users need to be made aware of, including new language addressing AT&T's new cap and overage plans, mandatory binding arbitration, mandatory migrations from legacy DSL to AT&T U-Verse service, and even language giving AT&T the right to terminate your service should you get angry about any of these changes and take it out on an AT&T representative.
The new TOS can be found here and acceptable use policy here, both designed to enforce AT&T's decision to begin capping DSL and U-Verse users in May, directing users to AT&T's new usage portal. Users in our forums note the TOS include language requiring you to upgrade to U-Verse (at potentially higher costs, though they'll forgo an ETF if you have to pay more and decide to leave).
The TOS also informs U-Verse users that if they agree to their AT&T contract they lose their ability to take part in a class action lawsuit, and instead must participate in binding arbitration -- a process overseen by AT&T-hired companies where consumers lose more often than not. Judges time, time, and time again have told ISPs this isn't legal, and the case will soon be heard by the Supreme Court.
Should you not like any of these terms of service changes and decide to take it out on AT&T in a manner AT&T deems unprofessional, the company has embedded a bit in their terms of service allowing them to terminate your connection for bad behavior. According to the TOS, AT&T may terminate your service if you engage in conduct that is threatening, abusive or harassing to the AT&T or Yahoo employees, including, for example, making threats to physically harm or damage employee or company property; frequent use of profane or vulgar language; or repeatedly contacting our customer service representatives for reasons that do not pertain to our provisioning, maintenance, repair or general servicing of your high speed Internet access service after you have been asked to stop such conduct.That provision may come in handy for AT&T when their caps go live May 2. All in all it's a fairly standard terms of service -- giving AT&T every possible right while eliminating most of yours.
We have AT&T and I have to admit, I am not overly impressed with the service. I do not get signal in places (usually in buildings) where people with Sprint, T-Mobile, et al, do. I guess those pockets are part of that 3% where you DON’T get service.
I don’t have AT&T—does this new TOS cover mobile, or just home internet?
I wouldn’t use AT&T if THEY paid ME.
I’m an AT&T customer who has had my share of issues with the company, including taking my business elsewhere at times.
That said, this is a free society and a free economy.
I respect the right of any American company to refuse to do business with clients “making threats to physically harm or damage employee or company property; frequent use of profane or vulgar language,” etc.
Let me second that. I've never dealt with a worse company with a worse attitude in my entire life. NEVER again will I darken their door, and I will dog them out every chance I get until the day I die. I'm also considering dogging them out on my tombstone. Did I mention that they stink?
It's a little ambiguous...
LOL!
I will be switching carriers in a few months.
Semi-vanity: anybody got intel on what, if anything, is good (or bad) about U-verse? We’ve had the DSL for 10 years or so and haven’t had any trouble.
Colonel, USAFR
The problem here is that AT&T will use this to essentially put a stop to any complaints. The minute they screw up your bill and then tell you too bad...if you get angry you will be punished by having your service cut. I have been on the wrong end of AT&T’s mistakes before, and let me tell you that I was angry enough to swear when they refused to fix the issue.
This isn’t about a company trying to operate and “do business”, its about acting like a monopolistic entity that does not have customer service as a priority. They want the right to cheat you and then deny you any redress.
If I was waterboarded for 3 years solid, with liquid lye poured over me, while being rubbing in a fire ant mound, and stung by 10000000 killer bees who each had a trained doberman on tiny leashes which ate my kneecaps, I would not be willing to even speak to one of their representatives.
Interesting. Where I live, Verizon is the company people love to hate!
AT&T needs to be broken up, again!
2 years after I discontinued 2 business lines and paid their bills in full (but did not physically move) AT&T turned my allegedly unpaid account over to a collections agency with charges invented from about 6 months before the lines were discontinued. They could have sent me any number of proper invoices or letters even claiming their billing was in error. I never received anything (and continued w/ATT on my other 2 lines so it’s not like they didn’t know where I was) about the closed accounts/lines until the notice from the collections agency.
It is completely impossible for me to be an ATT customer. It will never happen.
Yep.
And I have the right to take my business elsewhere. Which I am prone to do when I’m not treated well.
Well done Ace!
I like the new graphic!
And just think, they’ll soon be bringing this great value and customer service to T-Mobile customers. T-Mobile isn’t that great either, but it’s the best of a bad lot. AT&T is the worst of that bad lot.
I experience the exact opposite. My personal cell phone is with AT&T and coverage is outstanding. My work cell is T-Mobile and I can barely get coverage in my own office building.
Being a Uverse customer, the thought of forced upgrades does concern me, though.
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