$80 per month is not so big a bill these days and, in fact, is pretty common. I understand that at that price, you might think yourself among the big fish, but that is far from it. You are not even close to the the big fish (me?
) Dish has for whom they
might have waived any fee after a big fish put up small stink about it.
Considering cable has their "truck-roll" fees of over $35.00 and other providers have their home tech visit fees, as well, Dish's offer of $20, a nominal fee to make a lower end (well middle to upper middle class) sub happy, really represents the most modest of returns for Dish and fair bargain for the customer. I doubt any other provider is willing to do the same for free of any charges or even less than $20. Of course, I would be paying Verizon FiOS an additional $20 per month to get the same services I do from Dish, but fewer DVR's, I do from Dish, so I guess I might expect Verizon to take the hit for me on one of those months, but doubt they would.
If a one-time fee of $20 to upgrade is the cost for saving me $20 every month compared to Verizon FiOS, then I say, "GO DISH!" You have to look at the big picture and not get so upset when a company trying to make money is not giving you something you demand free of charge just because you don't fell like paying the fees.
Do you have DHPP? Perhaps they might have waived the fee if you have it. I don't really know though. Good luck.