Earlier this week Verizon announced that it will start charging customers an “upgrade fee” when they purchase phones on device payment plans or even if they pay in full for the handset. This decision was leaked prior to the announcement and there was no shortage of criticism being heaped on the company but Big Red went ahead with it anyway. The second largest carrier in the country is following in its footsteps, AT&T has also introduced a new $20 upgrade fee for its customers.
There was a lot of hue and cry when AT&T set its upgrade fee at $15 just last year but looks like Verizon’s $20 fee has convinced AT&T that it too can charge this much from customers for no apparent good reason.
Starting today, activation and upgrade fees for smartphones purchased on AT&T Next plans carry an upgrade fee of $20 per smartphone added or upgraded. The same goes for installment agreements and customers who bring their own devices to the carrier.
Simply put, this means that AT&T is now going to charge you an additional $20 even if you purchase a smartphone on its Next installment plan or bring over your existing device to use on AT&T. It’s still going to take $20.