Regulatory measures are also weighing on profits in the sector, including cuts in roaming charges and mobile termination fees, which national operators charge one another to use their networks.

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With Common Cents Mobile, there are no activation or termination fees and no long-term contracts.

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If the only thing keeping you from making a switch to low-cost mobile provider Ting is the pain of early termination fees, we've got a bit of good news: come February 1st, you can tell your current carrier to get lost.

ENGADGET

For example, mobile carriers lock consumers into two-year contracts by charging early termination fees.

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T-Mobile gets some credit for addressing the negative connotations of a legally binding agreement and an early termination "fee, " but if you want to keep the phone you obtained at the discounted price, you'll have to keep paying monthly installments until it's paid off.

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