”Because the overall costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased, effective Sunday, February 12, 2012, AT&T will change its upgrade fee from $18 to $36.”

Even though ATT has recently reported "blow-out" earnings and instituted larger, pricier, data plans, it is still looking for more price increases. Many of us don't have the extra cash to keep dishing out to these companies who think they can charge whatever they want and that the consumers will pay it.

AT&T's "reasoning" for this increase is that "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."

The upgrade process is simple. You go into the store (or online), pick out a phone and the rep makes the simple necessary account changes. The serial number of the new phone is inputted into the system and the contract date is renewed for 2 years. Irregardless of the device chosen (even the most basic of phones), the process is always the same. How could this process cost ATT more?

This sounds like a way to increase their revenue in order to make up for the $3 billion AT&T gave up for the failed aquisition of T-Mobile USA.

Sign this petition to tell AT&T not to increase the upgrade fee.