Major mobile carriers roll out new charges—check your bill for changes
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If your latest phone bill seems higher than usual, it might not be your imagination.
Several of the country’s largest wireless companies have recently adjusted their pricing structures, and some customers are paying more without realizing it.
The changes are affecting certain plans more than others, with fees quietly increasing and long-standing perks being reduced or removed.
For older adults watching expenses, even small monthly increases can add up quickly.
Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and what you can do to keep your phone costs in check.
Verizon: Higher fees and fewer perks
Verizon has introduced multiple fee increases and cutbacks:
Also read: T-Mobile changes a long-standing perk—and customers aren’t happy
T-Mobile: Legacy plan increases
T-Mobile has added a $5 per line increase for customers on older, legacy plans.
Those on newer Go5G, Go5G Plus, or Go5G Next plans are not affected at this time.
On its official support account on social media, the company said: “While most customers are not included, we’re wrapping up the price adjustments that began last year in response to rising costs. We are still committed to providing low prices and the most value across all plans.”
Also read: Phone bill update: AT&T customers notice upcoming change and fewer savings!
AT&T: Older plans phased out
AT&T has raised rates by $5 to $10 per line for certain data plans, primarily affecting customers on older plan structures.
The increases appear aimed at moving customers to newer, often more expensive options.
Source; X / @TMobileHelp
Also read: Verizon is phasing out popular customer discounts—here’s what to know
Why prices are going up
Providers attribute the hikes to increased operating costs, investments in 5G infrastructure, and efforts to transition customers to newer plans.
While companies highlight “improved services,” many customers report paying more for the same features.
Also read: Lower your Verizon bill in minutes–Discover this customer’s genius switch that saved her $60 a month!
Steps to protect your budget
Also read: Slash your bills instantly with these 60 genius tips you wish you knew sooner!
Bonus tip: Extend your phone’s life
On iPhones, you can check your battery usage and health by going to Settings > Battery.
If you need to preserve battery life, consider turning on Low Power Mode in your battery settings.
Staying on top of these changes can help you avoid paying more than you need to.
A quick review of your bill, a call to your provider, or even exploring other plan options can make a noticeable difference over time.
With prices on the rise across multiple carriers, being proactive is one of the best ways to protect your budget and keep your phone service working for you—not against you.
Read next: How to lower your cable bill and save up to $240 a year
Have you noticed your phone bill creeping up? Did you lose a loyalty discount or get hit with a surprise fee? Or have you found ways to cut your cell service costs? Share your experiences and tips in the comments—your story could help another reader save money.
Several of the country’s largest wireless companies have recently adjusted their pricing structures, and some customers are paying more without realizing it.
The changes are affecting certain plans more than others, with fees quietly increasing and long-standing perks being reduced or removed.
For older adults watching expenses, even small monthly increases can add up quickly.
Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and what you can do to keep your phone costs in check.
Rising fees and reduced perks are prompting customers to take a closer look at their phone bills. Image Source: Pexels / News4JAX The Local Station.
Verizon: Higher fees and fewer perks
Verizon has introduced multiple fee increases and cutbacks:
- Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge: Now $3.78 per voice line and up to $3.97 for data-only plans.
- Regulatory Charge: Increased to $0.21 per voice line.
- Activation Fee: Up from $35 to $40 for new lines or upgrades.
- Loyalty Program Cuts: Ending September 1, according to company emails cited by customers online. One social media user wrote, “They’re ending loyalty discounts, which was the only thing keeping me with Verizon… Guess I’m gonna port out.”
- Tablet Line Increases: Some “price-protected” plans have risen by $5 per month. As another social media user noted, “Got this email informing my tablet prices on my three-year price-protected Ultimate Ultimate Plan are being raised 5 bucks a month.”
Also read: T-Mobile changes a long-standing perk—and customers aren’t happy
T-Mobile: Legacy plan increases
T-Mobile has added a $5 per line increase for customers on older, legacy plans.
Those on newer Go5G, Go5G Plus, or Go5G Next plans are not affected at this time.
On its official support account on social media, the company said: “While most customers are not included, we’re wrapping up the price adjustments that began last year in response to rising costs. We are still committed to providing low prices and the most value across all plans.”
Also read: Phone bill update: AT&T customers notice upcoming change and fewer savings!
AT&T: Older plans phased out
AT&T has raised rates by $5 to $10 per line for certain data plans, primarily affecting customers on older plan structures.
The increases appear aimed at moving customers to newer, often more expensive options.
Source; X / @TMobileHelp
Also read: Verizon is phasing out popular customer discounts—here’s what to know
Why prices are going up
Providers attribute the hikes to increased operating costs, investments in 5G infrastructure, and efforts to transition customers to newer plans.
While companies highlight “improved services,” many customers report paying more for the same features.
Also read: Lower your Verizon bill in minutes–Discover this customer’s genius switch that saved her $60 a month!
Steps to protect your budget
- Review your bill for new charges or missing discounts.
- Call your provider to ask about promotions, senior discounts, or retention offers.
- Compare other carriers, including smaller providers or MVNOs.
- Reassess your needs and remove unused features or lines.
- Watch for hidden fees and request a full breakdown of charges.
Also read: Slash your bills instantly with these 60 genius tips you wish you knew sooner!
Bonus tip: Extend your phone’s life
On iPhones, you can check your battery usage and health by going to Settings > Battery.
- Tap a time period to see your Activity graph for the last 24 hours or a set number of days.
- You’ll see a list of apps and the percentage of battery each has used.
- Background Activity means the app consumed most of its battery while not actively on screen, such as playing music or tracking location.
- No Cell Coverage and Low Signal indicate your phone was searching for a signal or operating with weak reception.
- Connected to Charger shows the app was used only while your device was charging.
If you need to preserve battery life, consider turning on Low Power Mode in your battery settings.
Staying on top of these changes can help you avoid paying more than you need to.
A quick review of your bill, a call to your provider, or even exploring other plan options can make a noticeable difference over time.
With prices on the rise across multiple carriers, being proactive is one of the best ways to protect your budget and keep your phone service working for you—not against you.
Read next: How to lower your cable bill and save up to $240 a year
Have you noticed your phone bill creeping up? Did you lose a loyalty discount or get hit with a surprise fee? Or have you found ways to cut your cell service costs? Share your experiences and tips in the comments—your story could help another reader save money.
