A judge in California has ruled that Sprint Nextel’s early termination fees are illegal and said the wireless operator should pay back $18.2 million in collected fees to consumers, a decision that could help sway decisions on similar cases all through the country.

The preliminary decision released earlier that week is a major blow to Sprint and to other phone companies in their battle to defend themselves against angry consumers

who say the fees imposed on them when they leave the companies’ services are illegal.

Verizon Wireless, which was plus being sued in California, has already settled its case, agreeing to pay $21 million to settle all claims against the company. And after the decision against Sprint, there’s a chance that cases against T-Mobile and AT&T could plus be settled.

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Orginal post by Marguerite Reardon