Update: In a statement to Droid Life, Verizon confirmed the move, saying:
Verizon set to add new $20 charge to smartphone upgrades [Update]
"The upgrade fee helps cover our increased support costs associated with customers switching devices. Customers can pay the charge when they upgrade, bill it to their account or trade in an old device to offset the cost. The fee for upgrading on device payment is still half of the two-year contract upgrade fee."
Original story: Verizon is reportedly preparing to implement a new upgrade fee for most of its customers. While customers on two-year contracts currently pay $40 to upgrade their device, the carrier will apparently implement a new $20 charge for upgrades on device payment plans, as well as those upgrades purchased for their full retail price, beginning Monday, April 4.
A supposed Verizon memo, obtained by Apple rumor site MacRumors, outlines the changes.
As noted in the memo, Verizon claims that the charge is necessitated by "increasing support costs associated with customers switching their devices." The only groups not seeing the new fee are those on two-year contracts, who already pay one, and those that bring their own devices to the carrier.
Both AT&T and Sprint charge similar activation and upgrade fees, with AT&T charging both for upgrades through its Next program, as well as for when you bring your own device. Sprint's upgrade and activation fees can go as high as $36.
Read more
Verizon releases ABP661 update for the BlackBerry KEYone
The latest release, ABP661, has now appeared via OTA and brings along with it the February security patch from Google.
Verizon now rolling out ABO098 update for BlackBerry KEYone owners
Verizon BlackBerry KEYone owners looking for the latest update have now started receiving firmware ABO098 over the air. Once installed, you'll be on the January 5th security update.
BlackBerry KEY2 LE coming soon to Verizon business customers
Although the BlackBerry KEY2 LE was previously certified for Verizon under bring your own phone offerings, Verizon will now soon begin to offer the device Verizon Enterprise and Small Business customers officially.
Verizon now rolling out software update for the BlackBerry Priv
Have a BlackBerry Priv on Verizon? Surprise! You'll want to go ahead and check for updates as many folks have now started receiving a software update.