Account suspended for non payment, but I want to swtch providers.

@Sbguy805: You will face credit check from other providers even if you pay off AT&T bill in full. Don’t know if providers will approve new account, unless do pre-paid.

If you wish to save your number you will have to pay the reactivation fee.

You can ask at&t and see if they will waive it but it's up to them

Prepaid might be an option. Just need to shop around and see who has the best deal. Someone told me FreedomPop offer Free monthly service with 200min, 500txts, which is probably less than what I use a month. For data I’m using WiFi at home and at work, so I won’t need much data. Don’t need to be paying ATT so much for the service and on top adding their fees. 

Prepaid will be the only option.  Not paying your cellular, TV or internet is about the best way to screw up your credit.  Kiss any mortgage or rental good bye.  Your better off defaulting on a car or mortgage than these bills.  Landlords and banks figure if you won’t pay that, you’ll skip out on anything.  So no matter what you do, an effort to pay off is in your best interest.  

BTW. Changing numbers is not the answer to calls.  I’m still getting calls for “deadbeat Connie” for a number I added to my account almost 4 years ago.  (Obviously just the name I gave her because I’m still getting her collection calls.)

@Sbguy805

Just a heads up.  They keep billing you for 60 days, after which they send to collection and close the account.  After that the collector may add their own fees.