Two days ago we reported that AT&T Mobility, formerly Cingular Wireless, had appealed a $12.1 million fine levied against it in 2003 by the California Public Utilities Commission to the Supreme Court, but today the carrier decided to "move on" from the issue by settling. AT&T Mobility plans to refund $18.5 million to about 115,000 unhappy customers--about $160 each--who left the carrier (then named Cingular) because of poor call quality. The $160 checks are a refund for the early-termination fees (with interest) that the subscribers had to pay when they left. The courts found that the ETFs were uncalled for because Cingular was experiencing problems with its network thanks to subscriber acquisition growth that proved somewhat unmanageable.
For more on the settlement:
- see this article from Whittierdailynews