Home
News
You are here

Verizon has brought back a fee that was on its way out

Verizon Network Extender users will apparently now have to pay a monthly fee.

0comments

By Anam Hamid

Published: Aug 18, 2025, 10:09 AM

Verizon offers Network Extenders that enhance coverage. They use broadband internet to extend the network and improve service. There is a one-time charge for the device, though it's often given for free to customers, and there's no monthly fee. That may soon change, with one customer saying it appears that Verizon now charges customers for the device.

Verizon compares its Network Extenders to mini cell towers for homes and offices. They can come in handy in areas where signals are weak. The Network Extender connects to the best band for the strongest connection.

The device costs $249.99, but Verizon often waives that fee. One user who decided to take advantage of the offer claims that it mentions a $5.99 monthly charge. They recall that no such charge was levied before, with others chiming in to confirm that.

It looks like Verizon has tacked on a monthly charge to the Network Extender. | Image Credit - Jazzlike_Trainer2211

The latest development has some wondering if Verizon will soon start charging a monthly fee for it. After all, Verizon has increased various charges and at one point also considered walking back loyalty discounts.

That said, it's entirely possible that this charge was mentioned mistakenly, although that doesn't seem to be the case, with the bill saying that this is an access charge and is due monthly. That's a little confusing, considering Verizon has mostly phased out the access fee, which was charged for each connected device sharing monthly data.

Why has Verizon's appetite for charging customers increased?

Its costs must have increased.

8.55%

It knows it can get away with it.

76.32%

It only wants wealthy customers now.

15.13%

Considering the Network Extender is sometimes given to customers in areas where coverage is spotty as a stopgap solution, most of them are likely to react negatively to this extra fee. After all, if this device is meant to make up for weak coverage, it doesn't make sense for Verizon to charge for it.

Verizon customers have demonstrated that they aren't willing to put up with any more price hikes, so this new supposed fee might backfire.

We have reached out to Verizon for comment and will update the article if we hear back.

View Full Bio

Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

Read the latest from Anam Hamid