Is there any way around the $7 equipment rental fee?

Thank you for the response. Now that AT&T is responsible for maintaining my Gateway, is it possible to always stay current with the latest Gateway technology? For example, may I request a new router every year from customer service?

I complained and they upgraded my plan speed and removed the equipment fee. I have just Uverse internet. I used to have the 12Mbps plan and when I coimplained to customer retention about the equipment fee AND the relatively high price for speed (compared to competators), they upgraded me to the 24Mbps plan (Turbo, I think) and stated the equip fee included in the price of the plan now. Thats not a 1-year exception, I was told. Its permanent. Fingers crossed. 

I have had U-Verse since 2013, same gateway, same service. At the time, the equipment fee was waived, due special going on. 2 months ago, the fee was on my bill. I called, and after going through several questions, they removed the fee, & he said a note would be on my acount.

Last month, the $7 fee was back. I called & was told nothing could be done, the fee would stay. I asked to speak with a supervisor, & was placed on hold. I waited on hold for 35 minutes, I hung up after 35 minutes, I had a Drs. appointment. During the conversation, the CS asked for my number in case we got disconnected. They never called back.

I called back today, & the recording said there was a long wait time, & I could get answers on the web. I will try again tomorrow.

How do I get this $7 fee removed, for good?

Thank you!

In September 2014, I enrolled in ATT Uverse. I was charged for $100 for the Internet Gateway and was told that it was a one time charge for the equipment and will not be charged monthly for the equipment fee, which was true for 2014, 2015, and most of 2016. In September 2016, I bundled my internet and cell service so that I would have just one bill and was told that I would save money if I bundled. Since I have bundled my services, I have been charged for the equipment fee of $10.65 every month.

I have called in every month and spent numberous hours with support reps and they tell me that they have removed it but it's still on my bill every month.

So why use AT&T at all. Why not just find another provider that's more customer freindly. A provider that doesn't lie to their customers? Why do people tolerate this?