How Can You Upgrade Your Phone Without Resetting Your ATT Contract?

Mobile phone providers often have a vested interest in keeping their customers locked into long-term contracts. At ATT, for instance, upping to a new device can be unnecessarily complicated. You may not be aware that you can upgrade to a new phone simply by purchasing one outright, but it typically requires you to settle your old contract as well. This article offers a guide to navigate ATT's upgrade policies and explore alternative methods.

The Challenges of Upgrading with ATT

ATT, like other service providers, doesn't make it easy to discard your old and outdated phone and embrace a sleek new model. The standard approach often involves either paying full price for the new phone and settling the outstanding balance on your current contract, which can be a significant financial burden.

Alternative Upgrade Options

Your ability to upgrade without a contract reset may hinge on several factors, including your location and your carrier. In the United States, some customers have what is termed a 'Tower Distance' clause in their contract. This clause allows you to seek a refund or upgrade if you experience persistent issues with signal strength. However, you must have documented a history of dropped calls and poor signal quality in the vicinity where your residence is located.

How to Prove Issue Due to Location

To establish that issues with signal strength are due to your location, you'll need to gather evidence. This includes:

Photographs of the surrounding area and visible structures (e.g. power towers, hills, mountains, etc.) Radar maps showing the terrain and elevation changes in the area Historical call data from ATT that shows repeated dropped calls and poor performance Documentation from neighbors or local community groups who also experience similar issues

Once you have this information, you can present it to ATT to argue that their service fails to meet the terms of your contract, particularly the commitment to provide consistent and reliable service. If successful, this can lead to a section 11 refund, which covers periods of service disruption...

Conclusion

While ATT and other carriers often make it challenging to upgrade your phone mid-contract, there are alternatives to consider. Buying a phone outright from authorized retailers and switching SIM cards to your account can be an effective way to bypass the need to reset your contract. This method also allows you to explore a wider range of devices and carriers that might offer better service and performance.

For those in the United States, the 'Tower Distance' clause can provide a legal avenue to challenge poor service and seek a refund or upgrade. Keep in mind that the success of such claims may depend on the strength of your evidence and your willingness to navigate the legal aspects of the situation.

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