AT&T Doubles Activation Fee to $36 Starting Feb. 12

AT&T will double the cost of activating a device on their network from $18 to $36, according to a report from tech blog Android Central. An anonymous tip was sent in via the Android Central app, and it's an image of what looks to be an AT&T company computer screen with the following message.

Important Upgrade Fee Change - Because the overall costs associated with upgrading a new device have increased, effective Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, AT&T will change its upgrade fee from $18 to $36.

In the same image are a prompt about 'talking points' and frequently asked questions.

The upgrade fee is for costs associated with selecting and activating your new equipment, the note reads under talking points.Additionally, there is no change to your equipment exchange option. Once we have selected all of your services and equipment, I'll be sure to cover what to expect on your next bill.

Under frequently asked questions, the note mentions how new devices are more sophisticated than ever before. Furthermore, the report featured an alleged confirmation message from an AT&T spokesperson.

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.

Sprint also charges a $36 activation fee, but AT&T also just gave T-Mobile $4 billion because of a failed merger. Sprint raised their fee back in September, and Verizon only charges $20. However, AT&T also just raised prices on their data plans, so AT&T customers may be even less thrilled with this increase than even Sprint customers were in the fall. Tell us in the comments if you're an AT&T customer and if you're thinking of switching carriers because of the increase.