Mark Wadnizak Explains the Risk of Evergreen Carrier Contracts

In 2011, Mark Wadnizak, founder and partner of Voice Smart Networks, addressed a growing issue affecting businesses of all sizes: evergreen clauses hidden inside carrier service agreements.

Evergreen clauses, also known as auto-renewal provisions, allow carrier contracts to renew automatically at the end of a term unless the customer cancels within a narrow notice window. In many cases, this notice period is buried deep in contract language and easy to miss.

How Businesses Get Trapped

For organizations managing voice and data services, evergreen clauses can quietly lock them into another full contract term, even when service quality has declined or costs are no longer competitive.

A common example includes language stating that unless the customer notifies the carrier within a specified period, often 90 days before expiration, the contract will automatically renew under the same terms. Once renewed, businesses may be obligated to continue paying for services they are actively trying to replace.

Why These Clauses Are Hard to Find

Carrier agreements are often lengthy and written to obscure termination details. Locating the auto-renewal clause can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

One practical step Wadnizak recommended was to contact the carrier directly and request the official contract termination date in writing. This single action can surface renewal timelines that are not clearly disclosed elsewhere and help organizations avoid unnecessary renewals.

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to identify evergreen clauses can prevent businesses from renegotiating rates, optimizing services, or switching providers. Over time, these automatic renewals can result in thousands of dollars in avoidable costs.

This advisory reflects Voice Smart Networks’ long-standing focus on transparency, accountability, and proactive contract oversight. These principles later became central to the company’s evolution, documented in the i-NETT company history and reinforced through its approach to long-term technology accountability.