AT&T customers will pay $36 for upgrading to a new device starting Sunday, February 12, 2012. This is double the price of the current fee of $18. According to AT&T, “Wireless devices today are more sophisticated than ever before. And because of that, the costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased and is reflected in our new upgrade fee. This fee isn’t unique to AT&T and this is the first time we’re changing it in nearly 10 years.”

This to me is hard to believe. Why aren't they charging via a tiered method? Non-smartphones aren't sophisticated. They make and accept calls, but according to AT&T, this "sophisticated." They charge tiered pricing everything else. Again, not all phones are sophisticated. Maybe this is AT&T's way of recouping the money they lost in the failed T-Mobile deal.

I find it hard to believe that anyone charges to upgrade a phone, especially at $36. I buy a new phone and renew my contract. Essentially, they are going to double my cost to stay with the company and remain a loyal customer (since 2004). Sign this petition and tell AT&T you won't stand for this type of price gouging.