AT&T More Than Doubles Administrative Fee for Wireless Customers

[doctor-don]

"This is a standard administrative fee across the wireless industry, which helps cover costs we incur for items like cell site maintenance and interconnection between carriers."

LOL. What's next? A fee to maintain AT&T's wireless industry lobbying group?

How about a fee to provide BROADCAST TV over my cable?
[doublepost=1530158805][/doublepost]

Easy solution. Dump both AT&T and Verizon. They're both evil.

Yep. AT&T (formerly BellSouth) had agreements with payphone companies so they could pass on charges of $10+ per minute. I refused to pay and went with the company that promised a $20 monthly bill, MCI.
NOPE! That was before they added on the 'other' charges that increased the monthly bill to 50% higher.
THEN, the incremental increase that finally brought the 'service' to $57 per month - for no increase in what that provided to me. And then Verizon bought MCI.
I quit! And not one of those companies gives a flying flipping frick/frack. It's similar to my switching auto and home insurance from Allstate after 30+ years - they did not care.
Now my family plan is with T-Mobile - since 1997. Some in-town reception is spotty, and in the mountains / rural areas there is zero reception, but it provides what we need.
––––––––––––––––
That other old guy who said we should get over it when the increase is only 67 cents must have memory loss: those increases occur one after the other - someone is employed by AT&T (and the other companies) to calculate (based on such memory loss) exactly how long they have to wait between increases to a) generate the highest revenue and b) cause the fewest negative comments.

 

[borgranta]

They increase things by 67¢ a month and MacRumors people lose their minds. Might be time to get rid of that $1000 iPhone if things are that tight for you kids.

How many iMac Pro users are complaining about this $2 fee?

 

[TechGuy327]

Well now we know who really will be paying for the TimeWarner acquisition.

 

[borgranta]

It's just getting too expensive now to use the major carriers. My AT&T contract runs out next April, and I'm not renewing.

I use AT&T prepaid. They have a plan with unlimited calling and texts and 1GB of data for $35 and one with 6GB of data for $45. Additionally they have a couple pay as you go plans that I can switch to one of which is $0.25 per minute and $0.20 per text and another that is a $2 unlimited daily plan. The latter allows the addition of 100MB of data pack as needed that expires in 24 hours from time of purchase for $1 and incoming texts are free. The $2 daily plan only deducts $2 when you either make a call or answer an incoming call or send a text. The $2 is the fee for unlimited calling and unlimited texting expires in 24 hours after the initial charge. someone that keeps such a phone for emergencies and almost never uses it would be able to build a sizable cash balance assuming it is paid on time. The minimum required to load the prepaid account is $10 plus tax.

 

[C DM]

Not just that, you're also paying for those bonuses they claimed was a result of tax law changes. They just passed it on to their customers while using the real money for share buybacks. The only way they can claim otherwise is if they are actually first to market with a full 5G network, but we all know that's highly unlikely to happen.

That is a bunch of bologna!! We’re just paying for the 85 Billion that AT&T just spend..

That's basically how it ends up working usually.

 

[Squid7085]

Yep. 67 cents. Hang AT&T.

$3000 for 4 year old technology... defend Apple.


The 67 cent increase would have had to be presented to the Regulatory Commission. And it’s a lengthy review. They have to show that the cost of providing service has increased. All utilities are regulated.

This is a regulated fee. If the government review says no, then it doesn’t go up. If the government review says they’re not charging enough, then they increase it to what the government says. I’ve reviewed these processes behind the scenes. They can’t arbitrarily increase those fees. It’s a government process.

If you’re comparing it to other companies with flat rates, rest assured that you’re still paying the fee. It’s just not disclosed as clearly.

I have a flat rate on my Internet service. But the fees are definitely in there if I review what makes up the fee.

This is false, AT&T Mobility is not regulated in this manner, and is free to charge what they want.

The only fees (911 Fee, Universal Service Fund, Relay Service Fund) controlled by the government are clearly listed on AT&T bills separately. AT&T even has a "Regulatory Cost Recovery" fee that covers regulation overhead. This "Administrative Fee" is purely up to AT&T to set and change as they see fit.

 

[MacBH928]

If there was more real competition they wouldn't dare. This has to end where late stage capitalism ends with an oligopoly who dictates their rules over the populace. Just imagine if 2 companies, Apple + Google, decided to stop their services/software. The world will malfunction. No one should have so much power.

 

[Brandonjr36]

Read your user agreement, if you notify them that you don't accept the change within 30 days of them notifying you, they have to allow you out of your contract without a termination fee.

Right here in the AT&T user agreement, section 1.3

WE'LL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE.

https://www.att.com/legal/terms.wirelessCustomerAgreement.html#canAttChangeMyTermsRates

So there you go. Quit complaining and leave AT&T as soon as they notify you of the change. Move on to another carrier you think is so much better.

They gonna let me take my phones? Or give me back the money I already spent for them? If they let me have my phones unlocked I’ll leave in a second.

 

[T-R-S]

My Wife and I get 2 lines for what I use pay with AT&T for a single line plus we get free roaming & roaming data. I have zero regrets moving to T-Moible

 

[Middiebear]

I got hit with this crap -- called AT&T and complained and the rep said she would do a monthly $10 discount to my bill.

The rep repeatedly tried to talk about "government taxes and fees" to make it sound like this administrative fee was one of those fees. I had to keep correcting that lie. I told her "we agreed on a monthly price and this is AT&T's way of getting out of that agreement and increasing my price"

The increase, by the way, is PER LINE -- so if you have a family with 3, 4, or 5 lines or more, you are going to notice this on your bill.

My comment to the AT&T rep was that I had left Cox Cable after 15 years of being a customer to go with CenturyLink because CenturyLink promised a fixed rate for life. CenturyLink offered Gigabit Fiber in my neighborhood for $85 per month and unlimited data while Cox wanted $150 per month for 300Mbps and unlimited data. I told her that I would do the same with AT&T after being a customer for 20 years unless she did something about this administrative fee.

What did you think a Customer Service Representative was going to be able to do about an increase in a fee that she personally has no control over?

The most she could offer was go over what AT&T the company has prepared the reps to say (she’s doing her required job) and then offer the courtesy credit (if she’s allowed)... which sounds like that’s exactly what she did.

Your comment to her should have been thanking her for doing her job well and then if you’re personally still unhappy over an increase in a fee (again the rep personally has no control over) would be to cancel your service and take your business elsewhere.

 

[C DM]

What did you think a Customer Service Representative was going to be able to do about an increase in a fee that she personally has no control over?

The most she could offer was go over what AT&T the company has prepared the reps to say (she’s doing her required job) and then offer the courtesy credit (if she’s allowed)... which sounds like that’s exactly what she did.

Your comment to her should have been thanking her for doing her job well and then if you’re personally still unhappy over an increase in a fee (again the rep personally has no control over) would be to cancel your service and take your business elsewhere.

Well, apparently the rep was able to offer a $10/month discount.

 

[LinusR]

I got hit with this crap -- called AT&T and complained and the rep said she would do a monthly $10 discount to my bill.

The rep repeatedly tried to talk about "government taxes and fees" to make it sound like this administrative fee was one of those fees. I had to keep correcting that lie. I told her "we agreed on a monthly price and this is AT&T's way of getting out of that agreement and increasing my price"

The increase, by the way, is PER LINE -- so if you have a family with 3, 4, or 5 lines or more, you are going to notice this on your bill.

My comment to the AT&T rep was that I had left Cox Cable after 15 years of being a customer to go with CenturyLink because CenturyLink promised a fixed rate for life. CenturyLink offered Gigabit Fiber in my neighborhood for $85 per month and unlimited data while Cox wanted $150 per month for 300Mbps and unlimited data. I told her that I would do the same with AT&T after being a customer for 20 years unless she did something about this administrative fee.

Nice move, I hope this works out for you!

 

[btrach144]

So happy I switched to T-Mobile

 

[Kabeyun]

If only TMo’s coverage were better...

 

[827538]

Total lack of competition.

Here in the UK mobile contracts are dirt cheap, the SIM cards are free and there are no BS admin fees.

To my American friends, check out Mint Mobile or Red Pocket. If you are looking at affordable contracts.

 

[drewyboy]

They increase things by 67¢ a month and MacRumors people lose their minds. Might be time to get rid of that $1000 iPhone if things are that tight for you kids.

Major woosh on your part.

It’s not the cost, it’s the principle of the “admin fees” that’s the real issue here.

 

[democracyrules]

Why I will never again buy service from the Death Star... or Verizon for that matter. They are greedy and evil.

T-Mobile will follow Verizon and AT&T suit when their network is better. Just a matter of time.
[doublepost=1530185995][/doublepost]

Easy solution. Dump both AT&T and Verizon. They're both evil.

T-Mobile will be the same evil when they think they are on the same level with both. Just a matter of time.
[doublepost=1530186072][/doublepost]

I'd laugh, but I'm sure my Verizon bill is loaded with crap like this too.

Not on my bill. Verizon is the best.
[doublepost=1530186174][/doublepost]

I just got my bill yesterday and noticed this. We'll be switching to the T Mobile ONE Military plan come iPhone announcement time.

Get ready for all incoming inconveniences and hidden baggage. You get what you pay for.
[doublepost=1530186401][/doublepost]

TMobile! $30 per line. FLAT! What's even sweeter is they're still not charging me after the three free months for an Apple watch I have on the account.

T-Mobile with limited or no signals inside vast majority or buildings and between states, cities, off course will offer cheaper price. They are good for those who live in predominantly metro areas.

 

[Xavier]

The best thing about administrative fees is that you don't have to change anything and still keep charging more each year.

 

[doctor-don]

T-Mobile will follow Verizon and AT&T suit when their network is better. Just a matter of time.
[doublepost=1530185995][/doublepost]
T-Mobile will be the same evil when they think they are on the same level with both. Just a matter of time.
[doublepost=1530186072][/doublepost]
Not on my bill. Verizon is the best.
[doublepost=1530186174][/doublepost]
Get ready for all incoming inconveniences and hidden baggage. You get what you pay for.
[doublepost=1530186401][/doublepost]
T-Mobile with limited or no signals inside vast majority or buildings and between states, cities, off course will offer cheaper price. They are good for those who live in predominantly metro areas.

If you don't like T-Mobile, then just say "I don't like T-Mobile" instead of coming out with statements that show you really don't know what the T-Mobile cell phone plans include and exclude.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Imo many people should start looking at the MVNOs' prepaid plans. If AT&T network is crucial, AT&T themselves has a subsidiary called Cricket Wireless which probably offer better rates for many people.

There are many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that use the AT&T network. Wikipedia maintains a U.S. MVNO list here. Click on the "Host Network" column to sort by carrier. Examples include Black Wireless, H2O Wireless, and ROK Mobile.

Just be a little careful to test coverage with the MVNO before you fully commit.

 

[gwaizai]

Wow, it must be nice. Instant Ka Ching Ka Ching when ever you just feel like it.

Let's all try walking into your boss' office tomorrow and asking for an instant ten more bucks an hour.
If he/she/non-binary asks "Why?"
We say, "Well...why not?"

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

They gonna let me take my phones? Or give me back the money I already spent for them? If they let me have my phones unlocked I’ll leave in a second.

You can take your phone. Once you're no longer a customer you can request they unlock it and they'll process the request within 2 weeks.
[doublepost=1530188789][/doublepost]

How many iMac Pro users are complaining about this $2 fee?

I'm an iMac Pro user. Not complaining at all. In total it adds up to less than an extra $9 a year. Let's be honest, 99.9% of users wouldn't even notice it if it weren't for this thread and the fact the carrier must notify the subscriber.

 

[gnipgnop]

Saying that this type of behavior is the corporate version of taxation would actually be far too kind.

 

[TroyBoy30]

OMG a whole 76 cent. must drop them /s

seems pretty reasonable since that hadn't changed it since 2013

 

[jscooper22]

This is why I use an MVNO (PureTalk). Flat rate, no fees, no contract. Only thing I miss out on is Visual Voicemail. I think I'll live.