Something is brewing at Verizon, and it doesn't seem like it's going to please its millions of customers. Although the company hasn't made an official announcement yet, there are already clear signs that are causing alarm on social media and specialized forums. Concerned users are sharing details that, if confirmed, could trigger a new wave of criticism.
According to information circulating in online communities, Verizon could be preparing a widespread rate increase. Everything suggests that the changes would take effect in September, according to Phone Arena.
The worrying thing is that it doesn't seem like any customer will be spared. The increases would affect everything from basic rates to administrative fees and other charges that often go unnoticed.
Verizon will have to give explanations
One of the first signs came from a user on Reddit. He claimed that starting September 1, the activation fee will rise from $35 to $40.
This fee is applied every time a new device is activated on a line. This makes it a regular cost for those who change phones or add devices to their account.
In addition, plans associated with tablets wouldn't be spared from the increase. Currently, the most affordable plan for this type of device costs about $20 per month. But with the new pricing structure, customers could have to pay at least $25 per month.
To make matters worse, an increase is also expected in the administrative and telecommunications recovery fee. This is a monthly fee that Verizon justifies as necessary to cover taxes, regulations, and network expenses. For those with voice lines, the amount would rise from $3.50 to $3.78, and for those who only use data plans, the fee could go from $1.60 to $3.97.
The regulatory fee, which covers certain government-mandated costs, would also increase, though more moderately. From $0.19 to $0.21 per line. Even so, the sum of these small increases can have a significant impact on customers' final bills.
Perhaps what will bother many users the most is the possibility that Verizon is starting to eliminate loyalty discounts. They offered them to prevent customer loss. This is a $10 discount that many received monthly, and, according to multiple reports, it has already started to disappear without prior notice.
Discontent will grow
This possible new price increase would be the fourth so far this year, which is causing a lot of discontent. In fact, Verizon has already admitted that they lost customers during the first and second quarters, partly due to previous increases.
What is now concerning is how this will affect users who are under contracts with prices guaranteed for three years. It's not clear if they will be fully protected.
Although Verizon hasn't issued an official statement yet, it's expected that announcements will come in a matter of days or weeks. Meanwhile, users are already preparing for the worst, and criticism hasn't taken long to appear.