Divorcing AT&T

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by

CI
in

by Jennifer Hurley-Wales

Jen leads CI’s Protect Democracy project.

Dear friends, 

AT&T is abusing democracy, so I’m divorcing AT&T. 

I had already felt unhappy about using AT&T as my family’s mobile phone provider because of their contributions to right-wing politicians. During the 2016 cycle two-thirds of the company’s donations went to Republicans, including Donald Trump. 

I felt a little better when AT&T pledged to halt contributions to members of Congress who supported the Jan. 6 insurrection by voting to challenge the election results. But then the company broke that promise!

And then AT&T, incredibly, made large donations to Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas legislators as they advanced extreme voter suppression legislation and even gave over $300,000 to sponsors of the state’s radical anti-abortion law!

And now it turns out that AT&T was behind the creation of One America News Network, which spreads right-wing propaganda and conspiracy theories.

That’s it. I can’t send any more of my money to such a bad corporate citizen!

I have a choice, and I’m making it!

What control do I have over the enormous corporations that have wormed their way into my daily life? I don’t watch Fox News (and am trying to figure out how to stop Comcast from making me pay for it); I’m trying to unravel my life from Facebook/Instagram; Google has me and my car in a deathgrip; but AT&T — there is a great alternative for half the price I’m paying now: Hello T-Mobile! (Verizon is another option, but a little more expensive than T-Mobile. Compare here. Or consider Credo, which donates to progressive nonprofits.)

T-Mobile has a great step-by-step guide to switching. Their coverage in this area and major cities across the country is strong. 

I’ve begun the process of switching my family to T-Mobile. Be warned, there are several steps involved — from closing your account, to transferring your phone number, to acquiring a new sim card. But as a progressive activist, fighting daily for democracy, climate, and human rights, I’m ready and willing to spend a little bit of time to leave this rotten relationship. 

What about you?

Comments

4 responses to “Divorcing AT&T”

  1. Brooks Stevens Avatar
    Brooks Stevens

    Thank you, Jen, for inspiring me. I’ve hated AT&T for their right wing politics. I’ve thought of switching to another carrier like Credo for years. I’ll check them and T Mobile out again.

    Reply
  2. Linda Kovitch Avatar
    Linda Kovitch

    Thank you for revealing AT&T’s appalling political choices. While I appreciate the serious concerns with AT&T, TMobile is no piece of cake. They have the worst customer service I’ve dealt with in a long time. I was forced after MANY hours on the phone multiple times, with multiple individuals at this company (note right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing and they cannot even find each other) to make two reports made to Better Business Bureau in order to get my concerns addressed. LOTS and LOTS of wasted time because they are so poorly attentive to detail and rely on their miserable algorithms without any consideration to the human being. You can NEVER speak with the same person twice. I do wish you the best of luck being their customer. Please note that they will report you to a credit bureau even when you owe them nothing.

    Reply
  3. Susan Webb Avatar
    Susan Webb

    We are in the process of switching to Visible. It is a real pain but definitely worth it! How doe we let AT&T know that we are leaving because they are supporting so many right wing organizations?

    Reply
  4. Jeff Odell Avatar
    Jeff Odell

    My experience with AT&T was okay, but I grew more and more angry about their politics. Even though I’m allergic to bureaucracy and paperwork, this post helped push me over the edge: I switched my family to T-Mobile. I’m saving a little money; service seems comparable; and I’m happy that my money isn’t being funneled to right-wing/insurrectionist causes and politicians. Thank you for the inspiration, Jen!

    Reply

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