In recent months, many mobile phone users in the United States have been alert to possible changes in their bills. The expectation grew amid rumors of a possible increase in mobile device prices due to new tariff policies. Amid this uncertainty, telecommunications companies kept silent, without clarifying who would bear the extra costs.
Consumers wondered if their operators would be willing to absorb the increases to protect them. The current economic context, with inflation and the rising cost of living, makes any increase delicate. However, Verizon has decided to put an end to the doubts and speak clearly about the near future.
Verizon issues a warning that worries its customers
Recently, Hans Vestberg, president and CEO of Verizon, confirmed that the company doesn't plan to absorb the increases in phone rates. During the presentation of the first quarter 2025 results, he explained that the additional costs will fall directly on the users. "If the rates rise as expected, we do not plan to cover those costs[because]simply, it is not sustainable," Vestberg noted.
This means that customers will have to pay more to renew their phones or acquire new devices. There are no official figures yet on the exact increase, but Verizon's stance is clear. The company will not make any additional effort to alleviate this burden.
The news has caused concern among thousands of users, who are already facing a complicated economic outlook. In an environment where every expense is measured, this decision only adds financial pressure.
What are Verizon's future prospects?
In addition to this warning, Verizon reported a significant loss of customers in its postpaid segment. In the first quarter of 2025, the company lost 356,000 customers, almost double that of the same period the previous year. This data reflects the company's difficulty in retaining certain users despite its efforts.
Meanwhile, the prepaid segment has shown signs of recovery. The acquisition of TracFone in 2021 is beginning to bear fruit, and this market appears more stable. However, the company continues to face challenges in balancing its accounts and keeping its growth.
Vestberg also indicated that the price increases could affect part of the planned investment for 2025, which amounts to 18 billion euros. However, he assured that they are negotiating with their suppliers to minimize the impact, just as they did during the pandemic. The intention is to mitigate the effects without compromising service quality.
Meanwhile, some users seem to be anticipating by purchasing devices before prices rise. For now, no significant changes have been observed in the general behavior of customers. The situation remains delicate and could evolve in the coming months.