Verizon has one of the best networks (if not the best) in the US, and the carrier is known for charging quite a bit for its all-around network. Big Red has supposedly been giving installment plans and activating phones on said plans for free, but that is soon to go the way of the dinosaur.
According to tech site Droid Life, Verizon intends to implement the new one-time, $20 activation fee on November 15th. Anyone looking to dodge the activation fee should head over to their local Verizon and get a new phone under a current installment plan (with free activation) before the next three days expire.
Now, there is something to be said about this. First, it is a rumor, but tech sites have been known to be spot-on about such plans in the past. With that said, it would make sense for Verizon to inaugurate an activation fee for installment plans; the carrier already has them in place for contract agreements (two-year). Keep in mind, though, that the activation fee under a two-year agreement is $40, so a one-time, $20 fee isn’t all that bad; you could actually pay $40 for two smartphone activations instead of one. Verizon’s $20 installment activation fee may not be what customers want to hear, but it’s still better than the traditional contract activation fees have been.
Also, as has been said before, it’s a one-time fee. That is, once you pay the activation fee, you won’t pay it again until you upgrade in two years. In other words, there’s nothing to fear here — unless you fear giving another $20 to Verizon. If you love your coverage, and find yourself content with your service, it’s a small price to pay (pun intended) for it.
As with any new price hike, some customers are bound to be sad about it, but I’m a proud Verizon customer who doesn’t mind it. Would you rather pay a one-time $20 fee, or pay $20 extra per month? It’s not hard to see which you’d prefer.
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