Verizon’s Controversial Admin Fee Might Just Get a Little Bigger

A Redditor Discovers the Fee Has Increased from $3.30 to $3.60 per Voice Line

[Image: 2024 Verizon logo on smartpohone Stock photo (3)]

Verizon’s got a reputation for making it hard for customers to understand the fees they’re paying, and it seems that trend might be continuing. According to a recent Redditor, the carrier’s Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge (ATRC) is set to increase from $3.30 to $3.60 per voice line. That might not seem like a huge deal, but when combined with other fee hikes over the years, it could start to add up.

The Controversy Surrounding the Admin Fee

The ATRC was initially introduced as a way for Verizon to cover costs like property taxes, network-related expenses, and regulatory obligations. However, the way the fee is implemented has been criticized by customers who feel they’re being misled about what they’re paying for. The carrier settled a $100 million lawsuit in 2022 over the fee, and yet, it continues to be a point of contention.

The Details of the Fee Increase

The Redditor who discovered the increase points out that the ATRC now costs $1.60 per data line, up from the previous rate of $1.40. While the increase might be small, it’s part of a pattern of fee hikes we’ve seen from Verizon in recent years. In 2022, the carrier’s ATRC rate was $1.95 per voice line, before jumping to $3.30 in June of that year. Data-only lines, meanwhile, used to have a fee of $0.06 before a massive jump to $1.40 in December 2022.

What’s Behind the Fee Increase?

Verizon has said in the past that the ATRC covers various expenses, including local number portability and enhanced 911 functionality. However, critics argue that the fee is not transparent enough and that customers should have more control over how their monthly bills are structured.

We’ve Reached Out to Verizon for Confirmation

We’ve asked Verizon to confirm the fee increase and will update this article accordingly. If you’ve noticed this increase on your bill, let us know in the comments below.

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If you have information about Verizon’s fees or any other carrier-related concerns, feel free to share your thoughts with us! Email our staff at [email protected] and you can choose to stay anonymous or get credit for the info.