Several users have written in to note that Verizon has informed them the company will begin charging FiOS customers with an outer router a new "Router Maintenance Charge." An e-mail being sent to many Verizon FiOS customers says that the fee of $2.80 will soon be charged every month -- unless users pay Verizon to get a more recent iteration of its FiOS gateway and router. Since Verizon FiOS often uses a MOCA coax connection and the gateway is needed for Verizon TV, many FiOS users don't have the ability to swap out gear as easily as with other ISPs.

"Our records indicate that you have an older model router that is being discontinued," states the e-mail. "If you do plan to keep using your current router, we will begin billing, on 9.29.16, a monthly Router Maintenance Charge of $2.80 (plus taxes), to ensure we deliver the best support."

And here you were thinking you already pay some of the most expensive broadband prices in developed countries (according to OECD data), with that including the "best support" already.

"You also have the option to upgrade to a certified, pre-owned Fios Advanced Wi-Fi Router," says Verizon's notice. "It's a one-time purchase of $59.99 (plus taxes) with free shipping and handling for a limited time. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Fios experience with faster Wi-Fi speeds."

I reached out to Verizon, who -- as in the e-mail notice -- suggested the fee was necessary to pay for "frequent repairs" on older gear.

"The notice was sent to customers who are using our oldest generation of Fios routers (BHR1 and BHR2 models)," Verizon's Raymond McConville tells me. "Many of these routers have been in use for nearly ten years and have required more frequent repairs, so we’re trying to reduce that maintenance load and expense."

The problem is that older routers may not always be the fastest and most advanced, but may still work perfectly well. As such, charging a fee for a device that a consumer may be perfectly happy with really is just another way to raise rates on an otherwise already expensive service. One way around the new charge? Users may be able to head to our Verizon Direct forum and request a new router, which can -- if you're lucky -- be sometimes be obtained from Verizon for free.

Still, Verizon FiOS customers aren't particularly impressed with Verizon's latest fee.

"I'm floored Verizon is doing this," complains one DSLReports.com regular. "Let me charge you a monthly fee to keep your really old router ... OR you can buy a new one from us -- until we consider it old as well and want to charge you a monthly fee again."