Verizon Wireless recently started charging a $20 activation fee for smartphones, AT&T used to charge $15 and now the company has increased their smartphone upgrade fee to the same as Verizon’s, it will now cost $20.
The $20 fee applies to customers who upgrade to a new handset on the AT&T Next plan and also those customers who buy a handset outright with AT&T, it also applies to customers who bring their own handset to the network.
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.
As yet there are no details on why AT&T have increased their fee to the same as Verizon’s when they were previously charging customers $15.
Source MacRumors