T-Mobile could also be becoming a member of rivals Verizon and AT&T by introducing an $35 cost for all new postpaid activations and upgrades, in response to The T-Mo Report and a few Redditors. According to T-Mobile inside paperwork, it is introducing a “Device Connection Charge” for “all activations and upgrades for mobile, Beyond the Smartphone and broadband devices.”

Before, the Uncarrier charged activation charges provided that you acquired in-store buyer help for brand new activations, with on-line orders exempt. Now, all new postpaid activations are charged, whether or not or not you had been assisted. This consists of updating to a brand new machine, including a Bring-Your-Own-Device line, or ordering a Home Internet line, in response to The T-Mo Report.

T-Mobile has all the time tried to separate itself from common telecoms, however charging clients for primarily nothing would not sound very Uncarrier-like, if the experiences are correct. And you possibly can’t take your small business to Sprint, because it not exists because of its merger with T-Mobile. When that deal was finalized, T-Mobile mentioned issues could be “better for customers,” however fixed activation fees would positively not be higher.

Worse, it seems to be justifying the brand new price in a doubtful means, saying it is “simplifying” the system to deliver a “more consistent and straightforward experience for customers.” In different phrases, you may not have to marvel in the event you’ll get soaked for the cost or not — you positively will. Engadget has reached out to T-Mobile to verify the report’s accuracy.