How to terminate a telecoms contract early ?

[Zono]

Have signed up with a telecoms company on a 3 year contract on a very expensive plan which is no longer required for the business. there's just under 2 years reamaining. I have requested to downgrade the plan but they cannot offer a cheaper option. Is there a way to terminate the contract early without paying off extortionate penalty fees and am I able to seek outside help to exit?

 

[fisicx]

Probably not. These contracts are usually pretty watertight and the early release clauses clearly stated in the terms.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Probably not. These contracts are usually pretty watertight and the early release clauses clearly stated in the terms.

This..

They're performing their part of the contract, you have to perform yours

As an aside, make sure you understand the termination clause at the end of the contract, otherwise it will roll over

 

[cjd]

Have signed up with a telecoms company on a 3 year contract on a very expensive plan which is no longer required for the business. there's just under 2 years reamaining. I have requested to downgrade the plan but they cannot offer a cheaper option. Is there a way to terminate the contract early without paying off extortionate penalty fees and am I able to seek outside help to exit?

Rarely, but depends on the T&Cs.

Any telco using long contracts are already thieves, know what they're doing and have heard it all. The more rational ones will sometimes accept an offer but all of them will start with requiring the minimum payments for the contract.

To be fair to whoever this is, if they've given you a lot of gear upfront, you'll be paying for that as well as the service.

Others reading this, PLEASE don't sign long contracts, it's no longer necessary.

Obviously if you do find a way out, we can help you with whatever you do actually need ;-)

 

[Zono]

We are actually looking at relocating our office to a serviced office and using their telecom facilities. What happens when a company relocates?

 

[fisicx]

makes no difference. The contract is with the company not the location. You either pay until the contract expires or you pay the release fee.

 

[cjd]

You're in it for 3 year's worth of charges - unless you can negotiate.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Put it another way; if you'd paid cash, then decided you didn't want it 12 months down the line, would you really expect a refund?

I'm all for calling out misselling (and there's plenty of it in telecoms), but this really does appear to be a simple case of 'I've changed my mind'. The time to re-evaluate is before you sign, not a year later.