As of Sunday, Verizon customers opening a new line of service on an equipment installment plan (EIP) will have to pay a $20 activation fee.
Activation for EIP devices was previously free, in contrast to the $40 activation fee for devices on a two-year contract.
According to Verizon’s Director of Corporate Communications Kelly Crummey, the new fee will be a one time only charge and will help the company recoup the costs of activating a new line.
“It certainly helps us cover the cost of turning on a new line of service and things like activating the phone number,” Crummey said.
Crummey noted that while one fee may be rising, another is falling. According to Crummey, Verizon is lowering the activation price for customer who bring their own device from $40 to $20, also effective Sunday.
The day looks to be full of changes for Verizon, as the Nov. 15 implementation date of the new activation fees coincides with a previously announced $20 hike in unlimited data plan rates.
