If you’re a Best Buy Connect customer then there’s news today that concerns you as the own brand mobile broadband service is about to end. We have further details on the kibosh of the service along with softeners from Best Buy to cushion the blow for customers who will need to look elsewhere for their mobile broadband needs.
The Best Buy Connect service was launched almost two years ago and with immediate effect Best Buy is no longer accepting any new activations. Existing customers will find the service cut off on June 1, so users have just over a month to arrange an alternative. The decision to close the service stems from changes in priorities with the retail giant believing that greater growth is possible by offering mobile broadband support that’s not its own branded service.
News of the close of Best Buy Connect was brought to us from Engadget, initially from a leaked internal memo that was then followed with official confirmation direct from Best Buy. Of course Best Buy realizes that this will cause some amount of frustration for existing customers and to that effect will waive Early Termination Fees, which to be honest seems only fair. Also though, Best Buy will send out $125 or $150 gift cards via email to its customers to soften the blow of having to move carriers for their data needs.
If you’re a WiMAX Connect customer you’ll be offered the chance to move to the Clear service instead. We’d like to hear your thoughts on the closure of Best Buy Connect. Are you an existing Connect customer and if so how do you feel about the end of the service? What do you think about the softeners that Best Buy is handing out to compensate? Let us know with your comments.
