According to sources, AT&T will raise its activation/upgrade fees for customers when signing one and two-year contracts, but also add-on an activation fee for AT&T Next and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) customers, starting August 1.
The new activation/upgrade fee for one and two-year agreements is raising from $40 to $45, which gives AT&T the highest activation fee in the industry (Verizon is still at $40 for now). Going forward after August 1, should you choose to sign-up for a new contract to receive a discounted phone, you will pay $5 more than you used to.
In related news, AT&T Next will no longer be a zero-out-of-pocket installment plan. Come August 1, customers who are new to AT&T Next will have to pay a $15 activation fee when they pick up a new phone. This $15 fee also applies to those who bring their own device (BYOD) and sign-up for a new line of service.
Current AT&T Next customers who have an active installment plan prior to August 1 will not be charged the $15 fee on their next upgrade. AT&T has said that this “waiver” is subject to change. In other words, you may not have to pay the $15 fee at your next upgrade, but don’t be surprised if you have to after that.
It’s now July 21, so if you need to upgrade, now would be the time.
This post was last modified on July 21, 2015 1:34 pm