Remember that Verizon activation fee that’s rumored to be coming? Well, it looks like it really is happening.
Verizon has confirmed that it will start charging a $20 activation fee on device payment plans that let you spread the full cost of a phone out over 24 months. Verizon says that the charge, which will start appearing on November 15, covers the costs of adding a line to an account, like making sure that your SIM card is associated with your phone number.
As I mentioned when rumors of this activation fee surfaced earlier this week, Verizon has been waiving the activation charge on device payment plans up until now. Apparently Verizon is done waiving the fee, though, and instead would like you to start ponying up $20 more when you upgrade your phone. And unless you’re able to start buying your phones outright, there’s probably not much you can to do avoid the fee.
Verizon added that customers opting for a 2-year contract, which they can do if they’re upgrading from a previous 2-year contract, will be subject to a $40 activation fee when adding a new line of service.
