Contract

Hi I don't know if I am in the right place or if anyone can help a question which I have received from a friend...

He (as have I) got a laptop with mobile internet on a contract but this month he cannot afford the bill. Now we both know that his internet will obviously be disconnected but is there anyway that they can access the laptop and stop this from working? Obviously all his files are backed up but to save hassle would like to know as it is just a slack month at work and next month he will be paying double the amount to reactivate the internet...

Thanks for any help in advance!

R Pick

 

So, the laptop is given as part of the internet contract?

 

Yes, but the internet connection is managed via a sim card inserted into the laptop...

 

There are ways, but I doubt that they would go so far.

 

pull the sim card, that will kill the data plan dead.

On the other paw, there is plenty of precedent for rental/telcom places that tie their laptops to payment or network plans to have software 'kill switches' embedded in the machine. All it takes is for the machine to connect to the internet in any way, wired, wireless, 3G, etc, the machine will 'call home' and be told to shut down or lock up.

 

Ask your internet provider to suspend the service for one month if possible, depending on their terms within the contract that you signed up for might be possible or not. Always call them and tell them your intention, don't just disconnect stuff, they might give you one month off without having to pay. Tell them you won't be able to use their service for one month therefore you'd like to suspend it for a short while. They have to credit you for that so you don't have to pay.