Sprint improves plan switching, cancellation fees

Sprint today announced that it would be the next to take on customer complaints by changing the way it handles switching plans or canceling its service. Following in the steps of carriers such as Verizon, the company from Monday onwards will allow customers to change their rate plans without extending their contracts, giving subscribers the option of stepping down to a more affordable plan or one with better services while still giving the option of jumping to a different service provider at the same time as before the change. Agents will also call customers after they sign up and if they run over their allotted minutes or other data within the first six months; these will make sure that customers are not overcharged by choosing a plan below their actual needs, Sprint claims.

It will also be more feasible for customers to switch phones or carriers without paying the full price, the company adds. Beyond the company's New For You service, which offers discounts to longstanding subscribers looking to upgrade to new handsets without changing plans, the company also expects to introduce a pro-rated cancellation fee. Users will pay less to cancel their service depending on the amount of time spent with the service past the trial period. This gives customers late into their contracts a chance to switch to a rival without paying the full price, Sprint notes. The option should take effect next year but was not given a set date or specific rates.

A rewards program for veteran customers is also expected to launch by early next year, though the company has not mentioned details and intends to clarify plans closer to the actual launch.