I feel your pain.  I have been a loyal AT&T customer since they inherited me from Cingular.  I have lived in the same place for over 4 years and have never had an issue with signal until about 2 1/2 months ago.  Now I have little to no service and AT&T doesn't know why (or at least they aren't telling me).  I have 2 smart phones and a data connect device.  I am miles from the nearest land lines, so that isn't an option for me.  I depend on cell phones for everyday calls, but also they are the only way for me to call for emergency assistance in case of fire or medical emergency.  Several AT&T staff have told me that they aren't sure how I ever had service.  Technical support has told me twice that there is nothing else they can do, but stlll AT&T won't  release me without paying the ETF.  One manager told me to go to the website for contact information when I asked for his manager (considering I only have internet service about 10% of the time, that is tricky).  Another said that they wouldn't release me because I was obviously using minutes and data (hello... it's a mobile phone.  I only have problems at or close to home).   I entered into the contract in good faith, but obviously that means nothing to AT&T.  My next move it to contact the local news crews, because in our metro area they love this kind of thing.  I will also contact the Better Business Bureau, my legislative representative, the state attorney general, and everyone in my not inconsiderable personal and professional circle that includes people in several states.  In addition, since I often have to travel to use my phone and computer, I plan to visit friends often who live about 30 miles away where there is service, but it is in an area where AT&T service is roaming.  It is unfortunate that this will cost AT&T more to provide my service.  All of this over $460.  It started out at $484, but they have already drug it out long enough that the ETF has gone down.  Unfortuanely, they are putting me and my family at risk while they do it. 

By the way, this is a very abbreviated version.  I have 6 pages of notes from documenting the problem since my initial call the first week of December.  I have wasted about 8 hours and talked to about 20 different people.