Over the last few years, we’ve seen major mobile providers raise prices in several ways. First, many carriers scaled back on perks while steadily increasing plan prices over time. Then came the introduction of new fees, ostensibly to cover infrastructure and operational costs, such as T-Mobile’s Regulatory Programs and Telco Recovery Fee (RPTR Fee). These fees are especially easy to overlook, as they often increase without much apparent warning.
Unlike major plan changes, which typically come with clear email notifications, these hidden fees often rise much more quietly. Unless you scrutinize your bill, you might not even notice. Reddit is littered with posts lamenting this issue, including this one from an AT&T Fiber customer who was shocked when their bill increased by $5 without notice. But it was in fact in the fine print. Verizon also received similar complaints for its recent sudden fee increase as well.