What Is AT&T Internet Air? And How to Get It
AT&T Internet Air is a wireless, 5G internet service that can provide reliable speeds with simple, affordable pricing. The service is currently available in limited markets.
Cancel Carefully: Spectrum’s Cancellation Policy
Internet service can be frustrating. We get it. But there are a few things to consider before deciding to end your relationship with Spectrum.
Table of Contents
- What is Spectrum’s Cancellation Policy?
- What Does Spectrum’s Cancellation Policy Mean?
- What Can I Do to Save Money if I Cancel Spectrum Services?
- Do Other Companies Prorate Their Bills?
- FAQ
Summary
Spectrum’s cancellation policy may affect how users conclude subscriptions with their services. Their non-pro rata policy was intended to simplify bills for customers, but it can also put customers in a tight spot when they are compelled to terminate services. Stay on top of the fine print about cancelling your agreement with Spectrum so you can save some money before you go.
What is Spectrum’s Cancellation Policy?
When moving to a new living space, one of the tasks on your to-do list most likely includes cutting off your internet subscription.
You might wish to cancel outright if the internet service you enjoyed will not be offered in the area you are moving to. If you have Spectrum, however, your task may become a bit more complicated.
However, if you are moving from one Spectrum-serviced place to another, you can visit our post about moving your Spectrum service.
Although Spectrum touts their no-contract policies, they do have rules for how month-to-month billing is to be applied. As of June 2019, Spectrum stopped offering prorated bills for any account that cancels service before the end of the billing month.
In May 2019, Spectrum customers found the following statement on their bills: “Effective on or after June 23, 2019, and consistent with the Terms and Conditions of Service, Spectrum will no longer provide a pro rata credit for services sold on a monthly basis that are canceled prior to the end of the current billing month.”
This move was executed just months after Spectrum began including non-prorating provisions in their terms of service for all residential services (Internet, TV, Voice) in January 2019.
When a company prorates a bill for you after you have cancelled some sort of subscription, that means that the company will only require you to pay for what you have already used.
For example, if you cancel a monthly subscription on the third day of the month, that company might offer you a revised pro rata bill that only reflects your usage for those first three days and absolves you of the responsibility of paying for the rest of that month. Spectrum no longer offers this service.
This changed policy is still in place as of Spectrum’s Annual Customer Notification for 2020. Under the subtitle for “Monthly Subscription Services,” the following policy states:
“Subject to restrictions under applicable law, if any, and without abrogating the ‘Spectrum Residential Customer Guarantee,’ customer shall be responsible for the full monthly charge (without pro-ration) for those services that are offered on a monthly subscription basis to which the customer has subscribed, regardless of customer’s termination of such monthly service prior to the conclusion of the respective subscription month, and for charges for per program, Pay-Per-View, On Demand, per event or program cable services ordered or per unit or minute usage charges, or roaming used by the customer or other services ordered where charges are based on actual usage or on orders placed during the previous month.”
Spectrum’s rationale for this modified practice is that they hoped that removing pro rata billing would help simplify bills in the eyes of customers.
What Does Spectrum’s Cancellation Policy Mean?
The breakdown goes like this: at the beginning of the billing month, you pay for the internet services you will use that month through Spectrum whether you intend to cancel these services or not.
You will not be offered a refund if, say, you cancel your service on the 15th and would not like to pay for the rest of the month.
This is not a problem if you end up cancelling at the end of the month anyway. It is an issue if you must cancel somewhere in the middle of the billed month.
Even if you plan to resume Spectrum service at your next residence, you will be liable for any new connection fees and will be paying for your new service at your new place as well.
Such a setup may allow for Spectrum to keep the money you paid for the month at your previous residence as well as collect fees for your new residence.
The only exception to this condition is if you are a new customer and can enjoy Spectrum’s 30-Day Service Guarantee.
According to Spectrum, a “new customer” is one who has not been a Spectrum customer within the most recent 90 days. Customers in this category have the option of receiving a refund for their bill if they cancel their Spectrum subscription within 30 days since the beginning of the service.
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What Can I Do to Save Money If I Cancel Spectrum Services?
Do what you can to cancel your services at the end of the month and try to recontinue your subscription at the beginning of the next month or new billing period.
If mid-month timing cannot be avoided, you may have to grin and bear some of these additional charges.
If you end up speaking to a Spectrum representative, remember to be kind. The person you might be speaking with is most likely not the person who implemented this policy.
Do Other Companies Prorate Their Bills?
The short answer: yes. Most companies have similar policies regarding refunds for unused days after an account is terminated.
There are still a few companies hanging on to prorated final billing, though.
| Company | Pro rata billing offered? |
|---|---|
| Spectrum | No |
| AT&T | No |
| Comcast (Xfinity) | Yes |
| Optimum | No |
| Frontier | No |
| Cox | Yes |
| Windstream | No |
| Viasat | No |
Frequently asked questions
What does “pro-rata” mean?
“Pro rata” means “proportionately according to an exactly calculable factor,” and in this context means that the user only pays for what they have used, and the provider requires fees for only the services rendered.
Can I transfer my account to a new location?
Yes, but the no-prorate policy still applies, so timing still matters. You will also still be subject to any installation fees that accompany any new location for your account.
Who qualifies as a new customer for Spectrum?
Anyone who has not been a customer of Spectrum in the last 90 days.
Does Spectrum’s 30-Day Service Guarantee still apply to me if I am an existing customer, but I want to try new services in addition to my current account?
Yes, but this return policy ONLY applies to the services you are testing IN ADDITION to the service you are already subscribed to. According to Spectrum’s Annual Customer Notice for 2020, “Current customers adding a new level of subscription service qualify to receive a refund/credit only on those newly added services not subscribed to within the previous 90 days.”
How do I cancel my Spectrum service?
In order to cancel, you will be directed to call this number: (833) 267-6094
Written by Sarah Solomon
