AT&T jacking up activation fees beginning August 1

AT&T Chicago store (interior 001)

U.S. carrier AT&T is going to increase activation fee for both contract subscribers and new Next customers, Droid-Life reported Wednesday. Upgrade fee will rise to $45 for those signing up for a one or two-year contract versus the previous $40 activation fee, the publication has learned from sources. As if that weren’t enough, the carrier will impose an all-new $15 activation fee on Next and Bring-Your-Own-Phone customers beginning August 1.

“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,” explains the article.

This doesn’t look good as Verizon, which typically has one of highest contract upgrade fees in the industry, currently charges $40 in upgrade fee cost.

As for the AT&T Next installment plant, new customers will have to pay a one-time $15 activation fee beginning August 1. This is another major disappointment as AT&T Next currently doesn’t cost a dime to start the plan.

The new fee will also apply to those who bring their own device and sign-up for a new line of service, said Droid-Life.

The carrier will reportedly waive the $15 fee for current Next customers who have an active installment plan prior to August 1 on their next upgrade. On the other hand, this policy is subject to change so grandfathered Next customers could easily be slapped with the $15 fee anytime during their upgrade cycle.

Source: Droid-Life