Sprint Settles ETF Class Action for $17.5 Million

A federal class action lawsuit against Sprint Nextel may be at an end, the telecommunications giant has agreed a settlement of $17.5 million.

The lawsuit centered around early termination fees (ETFs) that the company was allegedly illegally charging its customers - to the tune of $1.2 billion since 1999.

Additionally, Sprint has agreed to place $14 million in a common fund to be distributed among members of the class action. Sprint also will pay $3.5 million in non-cash benefits.

Anyone who was a Sprint CDMA customer, a Nextel iDEN customer, or both, and entered into a wireless contract with the carrier between July 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2008, may be eligible to enter the class action, if their claim relates to ETFs.

The final hearing of the case and approval of the settlement is scheduled for October 21, 2009.