Gimlet-eyed Cingular customers may have noticed the cellphne provider changing its text message rates from $.10 to $.15 and realized they can use that to escape contract without early termination fee.

Verizon and Sprint raised their text message rates earlier this year and customers were able to escape. Cingular seems to have learned from the other company's "mistakes" and has drilled its reps to tow a tougher line.

From Cingular's Terms of Service:

"IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE... YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE... PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE."

The text message rate change is effective Jan 21, 2007. You have 30 days from then to break the contract. The change affects all postpaid and Pick-Your-Plan customers not currently subscribed to an SMS package.

Be strong. Insist on the cancellation. State your demands and reasoning clearly and upfront. Ask for a supervisor. Escalate. Don't get off the phone. If they say, let me call you back, say, no thanks, I'll hold. When they argue with you, simply restate your demand and reason. Repeat as many times as necessary.