http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/07/att-will-reportedly-create-new-activation-fee-raise-existing-ones/
A report at Droid Life says AT&T is planning to raise the activation fees for new phone contracts and upgrades and also plans a brand-new activation fee for certain no-contract customers.
$350 early termination fees now remain $350 until eight months into a contract.
"The new activation/upgrade fee for one and two-year agreements [effective August 1] is raising from $40 to $45, which gives AT&T the highest activation fee in the industry (Verizon is still at $40 for now)," Droid Life wrote.
There's also going to be a new $15 activation fee for AT&T Next, which has customers pay for their phones in monthly installments, Droid Life wrote, adding that this change will even apply to customers who bring their own devices.
"In related news, AT&T Next will no longer be a zero-out-of-pocket installment plan," the report said. "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."
Currently, customers can also avoid an activation fee if they buy their phone directly from AT&T and pay the device's full price up front, avoiding both contracts and installment plans. That's a little different from the BYOD scenario Droid Life outlined, so it's not clear whether that will also require an activation fee going forward.
Droid Life has been a good source on carrier plan changes. For example, it correctly reported last year that Verizon Wireless’ Edge financing program would start making customers pay off a higher percentage of the cost of a phone before they can upgrade to a new device.
We contacted an AT&T spokesperson today about the reported changes but haven't heard back yet.
