AT&T is the first carrier to charge an admin fee for its prepaid plans

May 21, 2026 - 01:45
0 0
AT&T is the first carrier to charge an admin fee for its prepaid plans
AT&T logo on smartphone (2)
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
  • AT&T is adding a new admin/regulatory fee to its prepaid plans, a first for any of the big carriers.
  • Starting June 22, AT&T will charge a $2.63 fee, which is still slightly cheaper than the postpaid fee of $3.99.
  • If history repeats itself, Verizon and T-Mobile could very likely do the same, but how quickly is anyone’s guess.

Administrative & Regulatory Cost Recovery Fees are a bit of a dirty word when it comes to wireless service in the US. First introduced by Verizon in 2005, every major postpaid carrier now has a vaguely worded fee like this. The prepaid world has been mostly safe from this practice up until now, but, as first reported by GSMarena, it seems AT&T wasn’t content with that arrangement.

Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Wow Wow 0
Sad Sad 0
Angry Angry 0

Comments (0)

User