How to Cancel AT&T Internet: A Comprehensive Guide
Looking for information on how to cancel AT&T internet service? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will outline all the steps necessary to cancel your AT&T internet. We will also provide information on the company’s cancellation policies and procedures.
Whether you’re moving, have to adjust to a change in your financial situation, or want to switch providers, read on to learn all you need to know!
What Is AT&T Internet?
AT&T internet is a service provided by the telecommunications company AT&T, often in bundles with phone and TV services. AT&T internet is available in several service plans, depending on your needs and budget. The most basic program, AT&T Internet 300, offers download speeds of up to 300 Mbps and can cost as low as $55 per month. The most expensive plan, 5 GIG, delivers speeds of up to 5 Gbps and costs north of $180.
AT&T’s Cancellation Policy
Before you cancel your AT&T internet, it’s essential to be aware of the AT&T cancellation policy, which states that you have 14 days upon signing a contract to cancel your subscription without paying anything. Keep in mind that the AT&T internet itself doesn’t require a contract, but any bundle does, and those contracts usually last for a year or two.
How to Avoid the AT&T Cancellation Fee
If you’re trying to avoid cancellation fees, your best bet is to cancel within those 14 days or wait until your contract is up before canceling your AT&T service.
You can also try negotiating with AT&T’s internet customer service team. If you explain that you’re considering canceling your service due to the high cost, they may be willing to discount the price or offer a promotion to keep you as a customer. It’s always worth a shot!
Early Termination Policy
AT&T’s early termination policy states that customers who cancel their service before their contract ends may be charged an early termination fee.
The early termination fee at AT&T goes down by 15 bucks for every month you have left, so, for example, if you have five more months on your contract, your AT&T cancellation fee will be $75.
If you don’t remember how much time you have left on your contract, you can check by logging in to your AT&T account online. In some cases, you might be able to get your AT&T early termination fee waived.
Equipment Return Policy at AT&T
When you’re canceling your AT&T service, you’ll need to return any equipment that you leased from AT&T. This includes the wireless gateway (modem/router) and any TV equipment you may have. Wall-mounted equipment doesn’t have to be returned, however.
AT&T will issue a prepaid shipping label when you cancel, so you don’t have to pay for shipping. You can return your equipment by mailing it to AT&T using FedEx or UPS, but you can’t just take it to a store. Be sure to include a note with your AT&T account number and contact information so that AT&T can process the return. Also, always keep the receipt.
You will have 21 days to return your equipment once you cancel your service. If you don’t return it within that time frame, you will be charged a non-return fee of $150. However, if you bring the equipment back within six months, this fee will be refunded.
If, however, you don’t bring the complete equipment back or bring damaged items, you’ll be charged additional fees.
How to Cancel AT&T Internet: Two Ways
Though AT&T doesn’t make it easy to cancel your service, there are currently two ways to go about it.
How to Cancel AT&T Internet Through Customer Service
If you prefer to cancel your service over the phone, you can call AT&T’s customer service line during their business hours. Their regular customer service line is at (800) 288-2020, but you can also go directly to their loyalty department at (877) 999-0765 (we’ll explain why).
This is what you need to do:
- Call AT&T’s customer service.
- Verify your credentials (PIN and account number).
- When prompted, say “Cancel service,” and then reply with “internet” when asked which service.
- You will be transferred to a retention department representative who will first try to entice you into staying a customer (to avoid this, call the loyalty department).
- When asked for a reason for canceling AT&T, you should say that you’re moving to another country where their services aren’t available.
- Ask them to cancel your service in the current billing period.
- Write down the authorization number because you’ll need it to send your equipment back.
How to Cancel AT&T Internet Online
You can only cancel DSL internet or home phone this way, so keep that in mind if you have IPBB or AT&T Fiber service. This also means that you can’t cancel AT&T business internet online either.
To cancel your DSL service from AT&T, you can log in to your account online and fill out a cancellation form.
How to Cancel AT&T Wireless Internet
If you need to cancel your wireless service from AT&T, the process is slightly different. Most importantly, you must pay off your installment plan or early termination fees.
Feel free to call AT&T’s customer service line at (800) 331-0500 to get help with wireless device deactivation and return policy. The benefit of wireless device returns is that you can return them to a store, and not only by UPS/FedEx.
Options to Consider Before Canceling
We’ve mentioned that the customer support team of AT&T will try talking you into not canceling or changing plans. You’ll agree that can sometimes be irksome. But why is it so hard to cancel AT&T? Well, the answer is obvious.
Like any business, AT&T wants to keep making money off their customers and is ready to go above and beyond to make that happen. In some cases, it may work well in your favor — the company representatives might recommend a better and more affordable plan.
So these are the options:
Moving to Another AT&T Service
AT&T allows moving to another service instead of canceling altogether. For example, AT&T offers both DSL and fiber internet plans. If you’re currently on a DSL plan, you may be able to upgrade to a faster fiber plan. However, you can’t move to DSL, as they no longer offer it.
Install myAT&T app, log in, and tap on “Change” or “Manage My Plan” to see what options are available. You may need to sign up for a new contract if you switch to another AT&T service.
Transfer of AT&T Service to Another Address
If you’re moving to another area covered by AT&T, you can ask for an AT&T service transfer to your new address. For AT&T internet moving, call (800) 288-2020, and they’ll explain what to do next. If you wish to move fixed wireless internet, then call (877) 990-0041. For wireless internet, update your address on your account.
Temporary AT&T Service Suspension
If you need to leave your home for an extended period (due to military service, natural disaster, or vacation), you may be able to suspend your AT&T internet service temporarily. Call (800) 288-2020 and follow the prompts to schedule your suspension. For wireless service suspension, call (800) 331-0500.
Remember that, though suspensions due to natural disaster relief and military deployment are free of charge, you’ll still have monthly fees for suspending your service due to a vacation. But, on a positive note, you can also suspend your mobile phone wireless service online. Just remember to call back to reactivate the service!
Transfer Billing Responsibilities to Another Person
If you need to, you can initiate the AT&T transfer of service and billing responsibilities for your AT&T account to another person. Visit the billing transfer section, and click on “Start Transfer.” Provide necessary data and complete the process.
The person you’re transferring billing responsibilities to will need to agree to the terms and conditions of your contract. They’ll also need to provide their name, address, and contact information.
Once the transfer is complete, the person you transferred billing responsibilities to will be responsible for paying any monthly fees associated with your account. They’ll also be responsible for returning any leased equipment if you cancel your service.
How to Cancel AT&T Internet: Our Takeaway
If you decide to cancel your internet service, AT&T may be willing to work with you to keep you as a customer, so it’s worth considering your options before canceling. You can try moving to another AT&T service, transferring your service to another address, temporarily suspending your service, or transferring billing responsibilities to another person.And a word of warning if you’re wondering how to cancel AT&T internet — if you proceed with the cancellation, you may be charged a fee for not returning leased equipment or returning it in poor shape.