T-Mobile to Hike “Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery” Fee for Select Plans Starting April 23
T-Mobile customers on Essentials, Simple Choice, and prepaid plans will see a monthly fee increase of $0.50 per voice line and $0.20 per data-only line beginning April 23. This change will not affect users on Go5G, Magenta, or ONE plans, which include taxes and fees in the advertised pricing.
Rather than adjusting the advertised rates, T-Mobile is upping its “Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery” charge—a line-item fee located at the bottom of monthly bills for affected customers. Though minor, the move has drawn criticism for being a hidden price increase.
The controversial fee isn’t a government tax, nor is it legally mandated. T-Mobile imposes the charge to recoup operational expenses like E911 support, network leasing, and number portability. While the practice is common among carriers like Verizon and AT&T, it remains unpopular among consumers.
T-Mobile’s description of the fee highlights its two-part purpose:
“This fee is not a government tax or imposed by the government; rather, the fee is collected and retained by T-Mobile to help recover certain costs we have already incurred and continue to incur … The Regulatory Programs component helps cover costs for funding and compliance with government mandates, programs and obligations, like E911 or local number portability …
The Telco Recovery component helps cover costs and charges imposed on us by other carriers for delivery of calls from our customers to theirs and for certain network facilities (e.g., leases), operations, and services we obtain to provide you with service.”
The change sparked a wave of complaints on Reddit, with some customers mistakenly thinking it targeted Magenta users. However, Magenta and Go5G subscribers are exempt, as their plans bundle all taxes and fees into one price.
Currently, the monthly fee is $3.49 per voice line, meaning it will rise to $3.99 after the increase. While modest, customers with multiple lines could see their total bill rise by several dollars each month—on top of earlier increases like the $5 per-line hike applied to Simple Choice and ONE users.
Those facing the fee change are advised to weigh their options carefully. While switching to a newer plan with included taxes and promotional perks might seem appealing, sticking with a legacy plan could still be more cost-effective. It’s best to evaluate all available options before making any changes.
The increased “Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery” fee officially takes effect on April 23. Essentials, Simple Choice, and prepaid plan holders are subject to the hike, while customers on Go5G, Magenta, and other tax-included plans remain unaffected.\
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. We recommend checking with T-Mobile for specific details regarding your account and any changes to your plan. Prices and policies are subject to change, and the article does not constitute official communication from T-Mobile.
