OT: How do you manage to run up a bill of $350 on a personal phone?
I have close to unlimited calls... and I still dont manage to get that close.
For phones, I generally buy them on my own when they are in the market
for a bit and dont cost as much.. and try not to keep the contract with
the provider. (ie. not renew the contract once its over)
But I never had to switch a vendor because of this in a while now.
I think the 350 dollar bill is for the non-personal phone. I'd guess when used abroad, etc., it's not that hard... Still probably worth having the phone unlocked, if not done already.
I have lately bought unlocked phones, because I don't want to give up my ATT plan from the fall of 2004. Non of the new plans are anywhere near as generous.
Normally, cellular companies want you in contract for as long as possible because the price of the phone is subsidized. That is why you can't switch phones at the discounted price every few months. I'd think that in the OP's situation, though, they'd want to keep you. Doesn't hurt to speak to a manager, though you could jump ship for a while to T-mobile and come back later if you like.
The early termination fee becomes moot when your bills are as large as yours. The fee is less than one month's bill!
fuzz