AT&T has increased its smartphone activation fee from its previous $15 level to $20. The price increase comes in the wake of a similarly priced fee increase by Verizon.
First noticed by Droid Life, AT&T updated its wireless activation and upgrade fees document to reflect the new $20 pricing on April 6, matching Verizon’s increase from Monday. Verizon now charges $20 for activating smartphones, whether purchased through an installment plan, or purchased at full retail price.
AT&T’s one-time activation fee will be paid by customers who bring a phone to the ST&T network, purchase a phone via the AT&T Next plan, or purchase an iPhone via Apple’s Device Upgrade program. Customers who have a two-year contract will continue to pay a standard $45 fee.
Wireless activation and upgrade fees,1 are one time fees that may be added to your first or next AT&T bill.
– Activation and upgrade fees for smartphones with AT&T Next – Activation and upgrade fees are $20 per smartphone added or upgraded with AT&T Next.
– Activation fees for installment agreements and bring your own devices – The fee is $20.
– Activation and upgrade fees for two year agreement – Fees are $45. Note: Two year agreements are available only on select devices.
AT&T hasn’t attempted to justify or explain the increase, unlike Verizon, who claimed it was required to cover “increasing support costs associated with customers switching their devices.”
As for the other major U.S. carriers, Sprint charges a fee of up to $36 per device, while T-Mobile is the only “big four” carrier who doesn’t gouge hit its customers with an upgrade or activation tariff.
