Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest mobile carrier, has increased the fees that it charges customers for upgrades and activations. By the end of last year this carrier had more than 108 million retail connections which brought in some $23.4 billion in revenue during the October-December quarter. The new fees don’t go in effect immediately but the change is substantial enough that customers will notice.
The Verizon upgrade fee is being increased by $10. Previously customers paid $30 when they upgraded their device and now they’ll have to pay $40. The activation fee sees a $5 rise from $35 to $40.
Verizon says that it hasn’t increased the activation fee in over ten years however the last upgrade fee increase was done back in 2012. A spokesperson for the carrier tells Phone Scoop that Verizon is committed to the fees “remaining competitive” within the wireless industry.
The carrier’s spokesperson points out that these fees aren’t exclusive to Verizon Wireless and that other carriers also charge their customers for upgrades and activations. Increased fees will help the carrier “offset costs associated with upgrades, activations, and other operational costs.”
Existing Verizon customers won’t be hit by the increase if they don’t activate any new lines or upgrade their device, the latter is less likely, no one sticks with the same device for more than a couple of years. Verizon will start charging the new upgrade and activation fees from February 5th.
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