Can the provider charge early termination fees? If so, how will they be calculated? Is there any relief in the event of an economic downturn? What if there’s another pandemic? Are the provisions clear and concise? Providers often use vague or ambiguous language in order to skew the contract in their favor.

Do you have to commit to a minimum number of circuits, bandwidth, etc.? If so, what are the consequences of failing to hit the minimum? A provider’s remedy could range from mid-term price increases to termination for cause combined with early termination fees.

What can be done if your service is interrupted? How much time does the MSA give the provider to rectify the interruption? Are recurring service interruptions classified as a breach justifying termination? Or are outage credits your only remedy?

What are your rights regarding accurate billing? Is there a dispute mechanism? Can you withhold payment in “good faith” while a dispute is pending? Once you’ve paid the bill, good luck getting that money back.

Can the provider increase the price at any time? If the MSA automatically renews, will the price increase? Providers frequently build price escalation into their MSAs.