T-Mobile has declared “the era of the data plan is over,” and that it is offering all users unlimited data from this point on.
Called T-Mobile ONE, the new setup announced by CEO John Legere offers customers a way to get rid of pesky data plans — with unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE smartphone data, all for the impressively low cost of $40 per line if you’re a family of (at least) four.
There are, it should be noted, a couple of provisos it’s worth knowing about. For staters, although it’s impressive that video data is included as part of the unlimited package, this only includes standard definition video. If you absolutely positively must have HD video, you’re looking at paying an additional $25 per month.
The service also requires you to sign up as a family of four+ to get the $40 rate. The first line will set you back $70 per month, while the second costs $50, and third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth lines are only $20.
Still, it’s a great deal and one which Legere’s not incorrect in saying more accurately reflects the needs most modern consumers have for their smartphones.
Now let’s see if his challenge to AT&T and Verizon to match the offer amounts to anything …
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
9 responses to “T-Mobile is killing data plans to go ‘unlimited’”
Seems great, since AT&T’s new plans announced yesterday will actually increase costs for shared data plans. Might be time to jump
Great? Tethering at 2G? Not so.
Nope. I love T-Mobile, but I’ll stick with my $30 / month plan with only 100 minutes, but unlimited data and texting.
I call b.s. on this one. Extra fees for every line if not on autopay? Extra fees for HD video? HD video is where you really need the high speed data. Pay more if you don’t have 4 lines? Figuring out t-mobile’s new pricing is no less confusing than the others.
Fastest speeds according to Ookla and FCC? Come on. You can do better. Average speeds out to be higher when most of your coverage is relegated to larger metro areas. Travel much? Tell me about t-mobile’s speeds in North Dakota (just one example). I’ll tell you. They are non-existent.
AT&Ts new plans are actually less expensive (not as low as t-mobile), not more. Be honest, John.
I’ve used all the big carriers: t-mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and sprint. Notice how he only mentions Verizon and AT&T. T-mobile has come a long way, but they are in sprint’s ballpark, not Verizon’s or AT&Ts. John is so desperate to have t-mobile to be mentioned in the same breath as AT&T and Verizon.
Wholeheartedly disagree. T-Mobile is consumer reports #1 carrier. #1 JDP customer care. Fastest nationwide LTE of any carrier including Verizon and ATT. Already covers more people than ATT and will cover equal to Verizon within 11 months according to Neville Ray. The value of T-Mobile is unmatched when you consider paying less than ATT capped plans for unlimited with free stock, free stuff every tuesday, direct line to CEO for any issue, Canada and Mexico work like home, simple global free data in over 140 countries, free texting and wifi on domestic flights, etc. Ookla is the standard for data speed testing. North Dakota has area available for network deployment since June 14th, 2016. Spectrum Gateway expects the network to be deployed in Q4 2016 – Q2 2017. At that point ND will be firing. T-Mobile has doubled their network in the past 2 years and has taken all of the growth of the entire industry for multiple quarters. If you look at the how many people T-Mobile covers, speed, and value it’s clearly the best nationwide carrier.
Additionally, even though T-Mobile is adding ND soon, the entire population of the state is 756,927… Not exactly affecting people.
ATT and Verizon don’t offer this because their network isn’t built for data and it can’t handle it. It’s also because they’re greedy. They cannot physically offer it.
Biggest issue with the plan that it’s unnecessary with Binge On and Music Freedom. Our family has 10 gigs per line plus all the benefits including data stash, hard to justify adding data when we don’t hit the ceiling already.
None of it matters if you don’t have service/coverage. And they don’t I lasted a couple of months with them before I got fed up and left. What good is unlimited if you live or drive thru all these areas with no service?