Verizon introducing $20 activation fee for installment plans?

Mid-November is definitely not looking to be an exciting day for Verizon users. That is, unless you happen to be a masochist and like paying more to your carrier. We reported last month that grandfathered unlimited data plan subscribers will soon have to pay an extra $20 for their limitless internet. To make matters even more cumbersome, Verizon is rumored to also be introducing a $20 activation fee for installment plans.

This fee is said to go into effect starting November 15th, according to Droid-Life’s sources, so you should get your new handsets before Sunday if you want to avoid paying extra. You know, just in case this rumor ends up being true. This means any customer getting a phone under a device payment plan will pay $20 on top of the full price of the device’s full price (which would be extended over 24 monthly payments.

Is this a new thing? While activation fees were always present, these were waived for those getting a phone under an installment plan. The only difference is that the carrier will now stop doing that and join the likes of AT&T.

This does seem a little unreasonable, as buying a phone on an installment plan is similar to bringing your own. Will they start charging for switching SIM cards next? OK, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and go back to focusing on the current issue. What do you guys think about this $20 fee that is said to be introduced? Will it sway you away from Verizon’s powerful network?