Brace yourself for yet another price hike! AT&T is at it again, increasing home internet prices for the second consecutive year. But wait, there's more to this story than meets the eye.
Renowned tech journalist Sean Hollister, a senior editor and founding member of The Verge, broke the news: AT&T is hiking up prices by a cool $5 per month on all its internet plans. This comes hot on the heels of a similar $5 increase in November 2024, and some customers even reported a $5 bump in 2023. So, is this becoming an annual tradition?
The company, in an email to customers, justifies the price hike as a necessary measure to maintain the quality of their service. But here's where it gets controversial: AT&T reported higher operating expenses, but they also boasted an impressive $4.9 billion in profit during the same quarter! And this is the part most people miss: they made a whopping $12.3 billion in pure profit for the entire year of 2024.
AT&T spokesperson Jim Kimberly assures that the increase won't affect newer customers or those enrolled in the Access from AT&T program for low-income households. But for everyone else, it's a different story. Hollister, who signed up in 2022 for around $80 a month, is now paying $85.38 and anticipates a bill of over $90 soon.
To soften the blow, AT&T offers a $10 monthly discount for customers who enroll in Autopay and Paperless Billing with an eligible bank account, or a $5 discount with a debit card. But is this enough to appease customers facing yet another price increase?
What do you think? Is this price hike justified, or are AT&T customers being taken for a ride? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's keep the conversation going!
