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Tuesday, December 09, 2014

6 Reasons Your Phone Bill Keeps Rising

Isn't technology supposed to get cheaper as the years go by? That's not the case with cell phones and their service plans, which eat up a larger chunk of household budgets every year.

The average monthly cell phone bill has soared in recent years to well over $100. A study earlier this year found that Verizon (VZ) was the most expensive carrier, with an average customer bill of $148 a month. Sprint (S) and AT&T (T) weren't that far behind, and T-Mobile (TMUS) was the least expensive of the Big Four carriers at $120.

Americans spend nearly 50 percent more on mobile phone service now than they did in 2007. Sure, we grumble about it, but we pay it -- and then we take on even more costs when the new must-have phone comes out or when we want to add family members to the plan. Some families with multiple phones pay $300 or $400 a month for that luxury and are forced to cut back on other areas of spending as a result.

Phone bills are climbing for a number of reasons, and those increases show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Here are six reasons your phone bill keeps rising:

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5 comments:

ginn said...

The real reason is the FCC, Kim., period.
They are not our advocate, as they are charged to be. They 'sold' our wavelength spectrum to these greasy unethical businesses when, in our true best interest, they should have leased it to them and held them accountable or lose their investments.
"We bought it from you, you're just paying for it."

Anonymous said...

I still have my slide phone with the qwerty keyboard and a phone plan from 2005. $50

I would rather enjoy life than be tied to a phone.

Anonymous said...

I use straight talk with a verizon phone. Bought the 1 year card and it worked out to roughly $40 a month for what I was paying $100 with verizonwireless.

Anonymous said...

I have been with Straighttalk for 5 years and have an unlimited everything plan for $45/month. My taxes on that are $1.08. I will never go back. Upgraded smart phone, no problem. Research the new no contract plans people. Save the $ for when the sh!t hits the fan.

Anonymous said...

Pre-paid. I rarely use more than $15 per month. No need to pay $45 monthly when I don't use the internet on my phone. I rarely talk on it and text occasionally.