The average consumer is <i>so</i> clueless.  Contract cancellation fees are some of the most abused tactics that typically come in the fine print.<p>As consumers, we want switching costs to be as low as possible.  Which they should be.  Two years is an insane amount of time to be chained to a particular provider.  They should be worried.  Verizon tried to get away with something similar, and the FCC pretty much said "no dice"<p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703523504574604403213404482.html" rel="nofollow">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870352350457460...</a><p>From the PDF release by the FCC:
<i>“I was pleased to see the Commission’s Wireless Bureau pose a series of important
questions in early December to Verizon Wireless regarding the company’s recently increased
early termination fees (ETFs) and related issues. I was surprised, as many people were, to see
that Verizon elected to raise its early termination fees for certain ‘advanced devices.’
         “Late Friday, Verizon Wireless responded to the Bureau’s queries. The company’s
answers, however, are unsatisfying and, in some cases, troubling. In particular, I am concerned
about what appears to be a shifting and tenuous rationale for ETFs. No longer is the claim that
ETFs are tied solely to the true cost of the wireless device; rather, they are now also used to foot
the bill for ‘advertising costs, commissions for sales personnel, and store costs.’ Consumers
already pay high monthly fees for voice and data designed to cover the costs of doing business.
So when they are assessed excessive penalties, especially when they are near the end of their
contract term, it is hard for me to believe that the public interest is being well served.</i>