Verizon Wireless will raise its activation and upgrade fees starting Feb. 5.
The fee for activating a new line of service will climb from $35 to $40, which Verizon says will be the first increase in more than 10 years. The fee for upgrading to a new device will jump from $30 to $40, the first increase since 2012 when the fee began.
Verizon spokesperson David Samberg confirmed via email the imminent fee increases and said the changes are to help offset costs associated with upgrades, activations, and other operational costs.
“Verizon Wireless is committed to the fees remaining competitive within the wireless industry,” Samberg wrote in an email.
Phone Scoop originally confirmed the fee increases.
Verizon’s decision to raise activation fees comes after AT&T last summer raised its activation fee from $36 to $40. Sprint still charges a $36 activation fee.
T-Mobile doesn’t charge activation fees to its customers who choose Simple Choice plans but does for customers who opt for a classic plan.
