T-Mobile prepares to pilot cheap unlimited voice plans
This one has been flying all over the interwebs for the past 12 hours or so, but it looks like the birth of some ridiculously sexy new T-Mobile plans is just a few short steps from moving to confirmed status. As the source of these docs has been a tad shaky at times in the past however, we’ll still have to keep the rumor label on this puppy for the time being. Here’s the deal: T-Mobile is preparing to offer a new line of plans to “loyal” customers. Loyal, apparently, translates to an account that is at least 22 months old and has a solid payment history. Should all go according to, err, plan – the new unlimited options should become available nationwide shortly thereafter. Hit the jump for a breakdown of the new plans and launch details.
Single Line Unlimited Anytime Minutes:
Unlimited Anytime Minutes
Nationwide Service
LD/Voicemail/Conference Calling
Caller ID/Call Waiting/Call Forwarding
1 LINE of Service
$49.99 (before taxes)FamilyTalk Unlimited Anytime Plan:
Unlimited Anytime Minutes
Nationwide Service
LD/Voicemail/Conference Calling
Caller ID/Call Waiting/Call Forwarding
2 LINES of SERVICE
$89.99 (before taxes)
–> Additional Lines (up to 3): $39.99You can add $25.00 data features, and/or Unilmited Famliy Messaging ($20) pack to plan if wanted – most of the current add-ons are compatible with this rate plan (eg. WorldClass Roaming and International LD Discount Plan).
Also, any Hotspot@Home capable mobile device may take advantage of UMA service(s) with unlimited usage, per this unlimited anytime minute rate plan; no additional H@H add-on required.
———————–
(Unlimited Bundling Packs – Manual Configs)
Unlimited Voice/Data/Messaging Plan (single line): $84.99
Nationwide Service
LD/Voicemail/Conference Calling
Caller ID/Call Waiting/Call Forwarding
Unlimited Anytime Minutes ($49.99)
Unlimited SMS/MMS/Video/IM ($9.99)
Unlimited Data ($24.99)-or-
Unlimited Voice/Blackberry Data Services (single line): $84.98
Nationwide Service
LD/Voicemail/Conference Calling
Caller ID/Call Waiting/Call Forwarding
Unlimited Anytime Minutes ($49.99)
Unlimited Blackberry Data ($34.99)
The new plans will supposedly launch first in San Fransisco as a pilot starting tomorrow, February 19th. Now here’s where things get fuzzy: If all goes well, T-Mobile allegedly has a nationwide launch slated for March 1st and will make the plans available to all “new/current T-Mobile customers”. A 10-day pilot program? Really? As nice as it would be to think that these plans will become available across the country just 10 short days after being restricted to “loyal” customers in one small market, something doesn’t add up here. We’ll keep an ear to the ground and update you as more info comes in.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
[Via WirelessAdvisor]
Damn I wish I could get this, let me in T mobile
So no unlimited SMS option on the Blackberry plan?
Well too late for me just cancelled 2 of my tmobile lines and moved to boost mobile. Well at least boost offers unlimited web access and text messaging. In addition no other hidden fees, and no contracts. Well at least I feel a bit unscrewed from tmobile.
Thank god for Boost Mobile and T-mobile; I’m presently paying over $235 for communications:TV/internet/cell. And I think its too damn much..saving money is the new game in town. I like ATT roll-over service and the fact I can get a signal at my moms house, but don’t like the $115 they are squeezing out me every mth. $90 a month should be enough for one-line full cell service with all the features.
Tmobile no longer offers 1 year contracts.
We were ranked #1 in customer service 8 times, lost to verizon last time and regained it this time.
celz, you’re an idiot.
http://www.jdpower.com/telecom/ratings/wireless/call_quality/index.aspx
Go and look yourself…T-Mobile outperformed them in every way. Call quality & customer care. Hell they’ve won best customer care 7 out of 8 years. Go back to your old black and white commercials, damn company’s so poor can’t even buy color ads…. LOL
So much misinformation in this thread. T-Mobile offers 1 year and no contract options (and they’ve been advertising the crap out of it). The blackberry data for 34.99 does include messaging. And I find it very hard to believe any of this will change.
So this will not be open to new customers, wonder how loyal you have to be to get it?
@tmobile: T-Mobile offers three types of contracts; 24-month, 12-month, and month-to-month, all of which are available on regular and flexpay accounts. For regular accounts to have month-to-month service, however, the customer must furnish their own equipment. Also, no, T-Mobile has recieved 7 JDPs for customer service in the last 8 years.
@tmo4life: 34.99 with T-Mobile for any smartphone (Blackberry, Sidekick, G1) covers unlimited data and messaging.
@Showtime: The MyFaves interface is included in all unlimited voice plans for convenience, sort of like having an extra speed dial. Since all minute types are included with no limit, Faves are of course going to be in that, so there’s no point in giving you Fave minutes without letting you program your Fave contacts.
@Don Louie: I haven’t seen anything about it becoming available to new customers, but at this point it’s a matter of time, really. The $99.99 bundle is pretty old (okay, really old), and the new unlimited plans are promo/trial rate plans. If T-Mobile keeps it, they’ll make it the standard with, at most, a $10 spread.
To T-Mobile bashers in general: T-Mobile is a new kid on the block, and therefore in many ways is incompatible in terms of being compared to companies such as AT&T or Verizon. Customer service? Sure. Coverage? Of course not; comparing T-Mobile to AT&T and Verizon based on coverage areas is a copout entirely, since T-Mobile simply has not been around long enough to establish the assets needed to cover so much ground. Or do you believe that AT&T/Verizon just sprung up overnight with massive coverage areas? Different carriers are for different people, and if you can’t accept that, at least accept the fact that you aren’t being rational in the comparisons you’re making. From a basic business level, the major complaints against T-Mobile (not enough coverage, really) are simple-minded and childish; coverage is difficult to expand, and requires competitive bidding on the part of service providers. An expansion in coverage means an all-out victory against other providers in purchasing rights to expand. That takes capitol that a new company can’t generate without first establishing a loyal customer base and narrowing down churn to an absolute minimum to create a stable cash flow. Then you perfect what you have to build your reputation, build liquid assets, and THEN you CONSIDER expanding. To do anything but that is corporate suicide, and leads to dropped calls, spotty coverage within an allegedly “huge” network, creates higher demand on customer service than you are able to keep up with (resulting in the big boys being beaten by T-Mobile 7 years out of the last 8), and oh yeah, having to increase prices to sustain massive growth.