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Device Connection Charge (DCC)

Learn about Device Connection Charge (DCC) for postpaid activations and upgrades. For prepaid customers, see the Device Connection Charge: Prepaid page. 

About the Device Connection Charge (DCC)

  • The Device Connection Charge (DCC) is a one-time charge for connecting a new device to the T-Mobile network when activating or upgrading. It applies to:
    • Any device activated or upgraded in any channel (including BYOD devices and self-service channels)
    • Each device in a multiple device order
    • Home Internet (HSI) orders
    • T-Mobile prepaid to postpaid conversions
    • Metro by T-Mobile prepaid to postpaid conversions
  • The DCC cost is $35 plus tax, where applicable. It is paid upfront at the time of activation/upgrade, and it cannot be billed to the account. You must disclose the actual DCC cost to customers. Pricing may vary depending on which active promotions the customer has enrolled in. 
  • If the ship-to flow is not charging the Device Connection Charge, you may need to charge DCC in mPOS by adding a SIM card to the cart.
  • T-Mobile for Business (TFB) customers are charged for DCC in T-Mobile stores. Otherwise for Care orders, see SIM Starter Kit: TFB.
  • Positioning to explain the charge to customers:
    • "The Device Connection Charge is a one-time charge of $XX for connecting a new device to the network when activating or upgrading with T-Mobile."
    • "When activating or upgrading with T-Mobile, we keep you seamlessly connected to what you love with free 2-day shipping, personalized setup and support of your equipment or line of service, and a physical SIM card, if required, all at no extra cost."
  • Effective April 15, 2026, new device activations on a voice line with qualifying plan receive a 30-day 20GB high speed domestic hotspot data pass as part of the Device Connection Charge (waived DCC as part of an active promo does not qualify for the pass). Data pass expires after 30 days. After 20GB of data, plan hotspot data allotment and speeds apply. Does not apply to BTS, Home Internet, or TFB DCC/SSK charges.

Exceptions

Manual order exceptions

  • Certain scenarios require a manual override to waive a DCC on an order, and they do not impact compliance reporting.
  • In specific cases, coaches, RAMs, retail keyholders and above may be required to waive the charge.
  • Only waive the Device Connection Charge for the following reasons. Do not waive or credit outside of policy.
Reasons Scenario
Account types Active-Duty Military account
Order type Device Connection Charge Promotions
Other situations When instructed by Problems with a device order policy for damaged device, defective device, Order Never Received (ONR) replacement orders.
Next Best Action (NBA) See Device Connection Charge Promotions  > Things to Know.

Automatic order exceptions

  • The system does not charge a Device Connection Charge for the below account types, order types, or situations.
  • See a charge for these scenarios? If the system charges a Device Connection Charge on these orders, waive it manually.
Scenarios   Details
Account types
Order types
  • Accessory-only order
  • Activations in the Activations channel or Puerto Rico Care (Using Samson does not currently support the DCC.)
  • Device Connection Charge promotions
  • DIGITS Talk & Text and PROXY by DIGITS activation
  • Upgrading with Yearly Upgrade
  • JUMP! (1.0 and 2.0) upgrade
  • National Retail activations (Apple, Samsung.com, Walmart)
  • National Retail upgrades (Samsung.com, Walmart)
    Note: Effective March 27, 2026, upgrades in Apple channels (Apple store, Apple app) will no longer have the DCC waived. DCC will continue to be waived for activations in Apple channels.
  • Store-in-Store (Costco, Military, and Sam’s Club) activation or upgrade
  • TFB activation or upgrade through Direct & Indirect Sales or Care
  • Pickup in-store orders with digital promotion
  • Prospect T-Satellite only account 
Other situations
  • Upgrades processed within 14 days of activation:
    • If customer received DCC On Us promotion due to BYOD activation, you must charge the DCC for upgrade, as they are no longer BYOD.
    • If shipping a device, the DCC may need to be charged in mPOS by scanning a SIM card.
  • Migration from Sprint to T-Mobile: After completing the migration, the Device Connection Charge and SIM charge are automatically waived for upgrades performed within 2 days of migration to the new T-Mobile account.
  • Changes that do not involve a line activation or device upgrade:
    • Change of Responsibility (COR)
    • Changing a SIM or eSIM on an existing line
    • Swapping a SIM card from one phone to another
    • Winback account that was inactive for less than 90 days (If inactive 90 days or more, then it is an activation and DCC is charged.)

Returns & refunds

  • To return an order and receive any eligible refund, go to the return steps. There are not additional steps to process DCC refunds.
  • Activation returns and cancelations / No Install:
    • The Device Connection Charge is automatically refunded when eligible returns are processed within buyer's remorse. To return the DCC, the product must be returned, and the line must be canceled.
    • The DCC is still due if the line is active. If the line is not canceled, do not return the DCC.
    • For replacement orders, the DCC is automatically refunded for the return and then charged on the replacement order. Only waive or remove DCC charges on the replacement order if the original order was not charged a DCC.
  • Upgrade device returns:
    • The Device Connection Charge is automatically refunded when eligible returns are processed within buyer's remorse. The product must be returned.
    • For replacement orders, the DCC is automatically refunded for the return and then charged on the replacement order. Only waive or remove DCC charges on the replacement order if the original order was not charged a DCC.

Waiver steps

See Exceptions above to determine if waiving the DCC is appropriate for the situation.

  • Experts use this process to request approval from your leadership teams for transactions that require additional permissions:
    • Within the order flow, select the reasons for waiver/override in the dropdown.
    • Select the Request Approval radio button.
    • Enter the NT ID of the coach/manager with permission to approve the request and click Submit.
    • Contact your coach/manager to alert them of the pending request that requires their approval.
    • Select the Refresh button to confirm the request has been approved and complete the order as normal.
  • Coach/manager approval process:
    • Access the Manager Override Dashboard.
    • Access the pending request from the Expert. You may have to press the Refresh button to update your view.
    • Select Approve or Decline on the applicable request.
    • Follow up with the Expert to update them on the status.

  1. In the DASH shopping cart, scroll to the Charges section.
  2. Click the Device Connection Charge drop-down box and select the appropriate reason for waiving.

  • mPOS
    1. Select the Device Connection Charge cost or click Waive Charge next to the line item.
    2. Select a reason for waiving the charge.
    3. Override the cost to $0.
    4. Enter manager credentials.
  • New upgrade experience
    1. In the cart, select Review cart details.
    2. Select the edit icon next to the Device Connection Charge line item.
    3. Click Remove to waive the charge.
    4. Enter manager credentials.

Add charge manually steps - In-Store

The DCC is not automatically added for Retail Teams, and they must manually add it in mPOS/POS. 

  1. In mPOS, scan the SKU of the device found on the device packaging.
  2. Scan the SIM card number found on the device packaging.
  3. Select the associated mobile number on the account.
  4. Select the Activate button. The Device Connection Charge shows.

  1. In mPOS, scan the SKU of the SIM card.
  2. Scan the SIM card number.
  3. Select the associated mobile number on the account.
  4. Select the Activate button. The Device Connection Charge shows.

  1. In mPOS, scan the SKU of the SIM card.
  2. Scan the eSIM card number.
  3. Select the associated mobile number on the account.
  4. Select the Activate button. The Device Connection Charge shows.