Cell phone providers are required to allow military members to cancel or suspend cell phone service when they PCS overseas or deploy longer than 90 days.
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Managing your money while on a deployment or during a PCS can be difficult. Thankfully, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) has a few sections that help military members deal with legal issues while preparing to deploy or PCS. For example, the SCRA contains clauses that help military members get out of a housing lease or suspend or cancel their cell phone contract.
According to the FCC, Section 535a of the SCRA allows servicemembers to suspend or cancel long-term wireless/mobile phone contracts without penalties or extra fees when deployed for 90 days or longer or when permanently transferred if the change of duty results in:
Keep in mind this will only apply if you are not physically able to fulfill the terms of the contract. In other words, deploying out of the country or to an area without coverage will qualify you. But PCS’ing to another state or location that has coverage won’t qualify you for account suspension or cancellation, and you will be held to your contract.
Deploying vs an overseas PCS. Cell phone providers are only required to suspend cell your cell phone service, but many are willing to work with you depending on your circumstances. If you are going to PCS overseas, you can likely qualify to have your service canceled.
But if you are only deploying for a few months, you can usually only suspend your cell phone service. If you are still on a contract, you may be required to honor the terms of the contract when you return, often picking up the remaining time that was on your contract when you left the country. But this should still help you save money during your deployment.
The following information lists the details and contact information for suspending your cell phone service during a military deployment if you are a customer of the following companies. We only listed the top 5 cell phone carriers by size, as they combine for over 95% of the US cell phone market. Bonus note: Each of the major cell phone providers also offer military discounts.
Contact your cell phone provider if you use a company not listed here. Additionally, I am not aware if it is possible to suspend any monthly minimums or other requirements for prepaid phone cards. Please contact your provider for more information.
You can cancel or suspend your AT&T contract if you are deployed or transferred outside of AT&T’s coverage area for 90 days or longer. This is a free service, but you must inform the AT&T customer service rep that you are suspending or canceling your account due to military obligations. If your deployment or transfer is less than 90 days, you can suspend your service.
While all the major cell phone companies offer discounts, T-Mobile offers one of the best military cell phone discounts. Active duty service members can suspend their T-Mobile account for up to 39 months during a deployment. Contact your customer service department for more information.
U.S. Cellular offers active military members the ability to suspend their service without charge while they are deployed. You will need to provide proof of service and verify you will be out of the service area.
Call 1-888-944-9400 or 611 from your U.S. Cellular wireless phone to suspend your account.
Verizon offers active duty military members (as well as activated Guard and Reserve members) the ability to suspend their service if they are out of the service area for more than 90 days. You can suspend your account for up to 48 months, with the option of keeping your phone number while your account is suspended.
48 months is a long time to suspend your service, so you want to ensure Verizon Wireless will hold your number for you for the time your service is on hold.
As with all legal contracts, make sure to get your cancellation or suspended service in writing!
Want to Cancel Your Cell Phone Contract?
Read this article on how military members can get out of cell phone contracts if they want to get out from under the contract they signed.
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This is no longer true. Verizon Wireless does NOT extend this service to DoD contractors in the Middle East or overseas period. I just got off the phone with VW and they stated that can only suspend the line for up to 90 days, only once per year. This is utter BS.
I am a Veteran and DoD civilian who just deployed to Europe. When I first arrived my phone was suspended under the SCRA, but was recently revoked. DoD civilians should be entitled to this suspension as well. What sense or who can afford to pay a cellular company a monthly fee for a phone that they cannot afford to use while deployed or even a monthly bill, and who can afford the cancellation fee to cancel the service. While deployed all service providers offer military, contractors and DoD Civilians the potential to cancel service if they apply for service while in Europe if they notify the provider 90 days in advance. While most communities are purple or joint forces overseas and the component head is typically Military for certain locations this suspension should be applicable. Just food for thought.
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