The answer is of course, obvious. Because Congress and the old FCC allowed them to do it. Despite the numerous areas of stagnation and continuation of Bush policies (Wall Street, war, etc) this is one area that is indeed showing movement in the right direction.
The FCC's letter to Verizon asks how consumers will know whether the increased fee applies to their phone, and whether it's spelled out anywhere except in the formal customer agreement.
The FCC is also asking the carrier about $1.99 data access fees that have appeared on the bills of customers who don't have data plans but accidentally initiate data access by hitting a button on their phones. Verizon says that as of a few months ago, it doesn't charge when a customer starts a data service then quickly turns it off.
