Verizon is adjusting some of its fees for consumers and business users. On Monday the nation’s largest carrier announced that it will be raising the administrative fees for consumer accounts by $1.35 per voice line to $3.30 per line, per month starting on its users’ June billing cycle. It isn’t adjusting the fees for tablets, hotspots, smartwatches or other data devices.
“From time to time, we review and make adjustments to fees to defray some of Verizon’s administrative and telco expenses and costs of complying with regulatory requirements,” a Verizon spokesperson said in a statement provided to CNET. “To that end, Verizon will be implementing some changes beginning in June.”
For businesses, Verizon is adding a new “Economic Adjustment Charge” of $2.20 per line, per month for smartphones or data lines on plans that have recently activated or upgraded a line, completed a “contract-based line term” or have 12 months or less remaining on a device payment plan.
Tablets and non-smartphones will be charged $0.98 per month, with both changes for business accounts going into effect on June 16.
The carrier says that the consumer fee change isn’t a result of the recent rise in inflation, with Verizon last adjusting these fees in 2020. The new fees for business users, however, are a direct result of the changing economy.
“We work every day to maintain competitive prices for our business customers — often by absorbing increases that we incur,” the Verizon spokesperson said. “The current economic conditions impacting businesses worldwide continue to mount and despite our best efforts to mitigate further impact, we intend to offset a portion of these costs by implementing an Economic Adjustment Charge.”
Verizon is the latest wireless provider to adjust costs this month. Rival AT&T announced on May 3 that it would be hiking the prices for some of its older plans. AT&T did not directly blame inflation for its price increases, though it did note that higher business costs were a factor in its decision and encouraged users to switch to its recent unlimited plans.
