While everyone loves a good deal, most heavy users out there are worrying about the impending doom of tiered data plans. T-Mobile has just announced its new postpaid and prepaid unlimited plans, advertising unlimited voice, text, and web, but the fine print is just as present as ever. It seems very likely that consumers might run with the good looking prices (without looking at the fine print), only to later find out that their “unlimited” 4G speeds turn very slow soon afterward.
For Postpaid users, the new plans differ depending on voice and data needs. Data plans (for both individual and family plans) start at $10 for 200 MB, and go as high as 10 GB of “high speed” internet. After reaching the data cap, data speed simply slows down for the remainder of the billing month (sometimes even slower than 2G).
Things seem better if you are willing to purchase a phone at full price though. T-Mobile’s new prepaid unlimited plan starts at $50, with a data cap set at 100 MB (not a typo…). The $70 plan does offer 5 GB though, which sounds much more reasonable.
It may seem like I am simply bashing on T-Mobile, but such is not really the case. There is no problem with making cheaper options available. These offers are very misleading though, and it looks like T-Mobile has a loose understanding of the word “unlimited” and are flat out trying to avoid the word “tiered,” and that is where the problem lies. Signing up for a two-year contract (or purchasing a phone at full retail) is no small deed, and carriers should keep things straight forward about what is being offered.
Aside from the sneaky marketing, these plans will be beneficial to many T-Mobile customers. People have been complaining about carriers forcing customers to have large data plans, one of the reasons being that they may be surrounded by WiFi hotspots all day long. This should actually be very wallet-friendly for some.
Also, our friends at TmoNews grabbed this screenshot from Youtube of T-Mobile’s not-yet-aired commercial (which was since taken down), and a perusing of the comments prove that many consumers are pretty angry with T-Mobile over their marketing campaign. Check out the image and the press releases after the break, and let us know your opinions! What do you guys think of these new plans? Are you signing up for one of them?
Postpaid Press Release
Show Press Release
New T-Mobile plans feature unlimited data with no overages
BELLEVUE, Wash. — May 23, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced a new suite of family and individual plans that expand on the exceptional value and consumer choice the company provides to make data affordable for families on America’s Largest 4G Network™.
The plans, available for new and existing customers, offer single-line and multiline options with a range of price points for talk or unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited data — with no data overages — offering 200 MB, 2 GB, 5 GB or 10 GB of high-speed data. Each of the plans also includes unlimited nationwide T-Mobile to T-Mobile calling, and unlimited nights and weekends. T-Mobile also continues to offer one of the industry’s most affordable entry-level unlimited data plans, starting at just $10 for 200 MB of high-speed data per billing month.
Beating the competition, T-Mobile’s $139.99 unlimited family plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited data with 2 GB of high-speed data offers a savings of more than $350 per person, per year on a two-line annual plan, compared with similar smartphones plans from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.1
“Our new rate plans powered by America’s Largest 4G Network put us in an excellent position to capitalize on the 80 percent of wireless customers in America who want smartphones,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “We’re providing customers with the 4G coverage they need, an exciting portfolio of 4G smartphones, and the value and flexibility to meet the diverse desires of their entire family.”
T-Mobile’s family plans are also more flexible than ever, allowing customers to select different data options and add-a-line features to meet the needs of first-time smartphone consumers, data-hungry young adults and text-centric teens all in one customized package.
The new family and individual plans are available now. To find the T-Mobile plan that best fits their needs, customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
1 Based on comparison against comparable post-paid plans for smartphones from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint; pricing does not include taxes and fees or cost of phone. Plan features and limitations may vary. Data as of May 2011. See T-Mobile.com for additional rate plan and pricing information.
T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com.
Prepaid Press Release
Show Press Release
Unlimited Talk, Text and Web With No Annual Contract
BELLEVUE, Wash. — May 23, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced two new No Annual Contract, unlimited Monthly4G plans starting at $50 per month, bringing more choice and value to customers on America’s Largest 4G Network™. The new plans make it easier than ever for customers to step up to a rich data experience across T-Mobile’s entire portfolio of Android™-powered, Windows® Phone and BlackBerry® smartphones without an annual contract.
“Consumers today want more value and simplicity in how they purchase wireless,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “And that’s exactly what we’re delivering with our new Monthly4G plans — providing customers with the nationwide network, great prices and a choice of any of our latest smartphones.”
With Monthly4G plans, customers can enjoy unlimited Talk, unlimited Text and unlimited Web service on their smartphone from T-Mobile. Monthly4G plans start at $50 per month for unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited Web with the first 100 MB of data at up to 4G speeds, or $70 per month for unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited Web with the first 5 GB of data at up to 4G speeds*.
In addition to the Monthly4G No Annual Contract plans, which became available May 22,
T-Mobile continues to offer a 1500 Talk and Text plan with 30 MB of data for $30 per month, as well as Pay As You Go plans for as low as 10¢ per minute for voice calls. To find the T-Mobile plan that best fits their needs, customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
* Monthly4G plans provide access to wireless service for 30 days; capable device required to achieve 4G speeds. After high-speed allotment is used, speeds slowed for remainder of month. T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com.
Related content:
- New rate plans coming to T-Mobile customers on May 22
- T-Mobile removes no-contract, Even More Plus from the internets
- T-Mobile launches new plans, unlimited everything starting at $60 (Update: never mind)
- T-Mobile will overhaul their data plans on November 3rd
- Verizon launching $50/month prepaid talk, text and data plan?
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