Have We Reached Peak T-Mobile? T-Mobile's plan to win consumer hearts by offering a new unlimited data option appears to have backfired after many users complained the new plans have them paying more than ever. Last week T-Mobile launched its new T-Mobile One plan, which offers unlimited* data, unlimited voice, and unlimited text for $70 per month for the first line, $50 per month for the second, and $20 per month for each additional lines up to eight (just as long as the subscriber uses auto-pay, prices being $5 more otherwise).

While the T-Mobile announcement heralded that the wireless industry "will never be the same again" after T-Mobile's unveil, consumers generally haven't been impressed. Many say that under the new plans they're technically paying more than they were before. The plan also comes with a significant number of caveats, including the fact that all video is throttled to 1.5 Mbps (480p) by default, with users having to pay an additional $25 per month if they want full 1080p video resolution. Groups like the EFF were quick to lambast the plan as a net neutrality violation. "If you just substitute 'video' in for 'VoIP,' it's pretty clear that the FCC's intent was to prevent discriminatory throttling, even if the user could pay to avoid it," the EFF said of the new option. "In other words, the FCC (and EFF) are just fine with ISPs offering different tiers of service, as long as the tiers don't discriminate against different types of content. But that's precisely what T-Mobile is doing here—discriminating against data based on its content." And while consumers have generally defended T-Mobile even given its stark opposition to real net neutrality, many aren't coming along for the ride this time. "This seems like the first negative step T-Mobile has taken in a while," one user complained over at Reddit. "The more I look at this the worse it is compared to the last Unlimited data promotion and really any other promo they have ran the last few years," complained another. It's indisputable that T-Mobile has ushered forth some significant, positive change in the wireless industry, leading to the company adding more postpaid subscribers each quarter than any other U.S. carrier. But between the company's disdain for net neutrality, its CEO's It's indisputable that T-Mobile has ushered forth some significant, positive change in the wireless industry, leading to the company adding more postpaid subscribers each quarter than any other U.S. carrier. But between the company's disdain for net neutrality, its CEO's mockery of groups like the EFF and some very carrier-like "uncarrier" moves of late, it's becoming clear the company's hip theatrics may be starting to wear a little thin.







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Most recommended from 78 comments



Rambo76098

join:2003-02-21

Columbus, OH 25 recommendations Rambo76098 Member It wasn't Uncarrier 12 It was Recarrier 1 xrobertcmx

Premium Member

join:2001-06-18

White Plains, MD 2 edits 10 recommendations xrobertcmx Premium Member Not Consumer Friendly I've said it before, but basically what T-Mobile is doing is putting into practice what they had already done. When looking at the old plans you basically had unlimited with all the zero rated services. Now they are just codifying it and billing for it.

The problem is that this comes across as a price hike and they haven't put in the work to fix the perception that the network is still 2nd rate. A few commercials saying they are as good as Verizon doesn't cut it. T-Mobile is about to learn that they can't charge premium rates for a perceived 2nd tier network. The other major issue is that they have put the time and effort in to making the business appear customer friendly and then suddenly pull this "Uncarrier Move" which just looks bad. $120 for two lines, $140 for four, and the unlimited is not actually unlimited unless the end user applies an extra $15 per line to turn off Binge on, then $5 extra to pay this fairly large bill when it is actually convenient instead of when T-Mobile just takes it, and then a bit more to actually tether, and then....and then...and then...

How is this confusing, caveat filled mess of a plan even remotely consumer friendly? That is what "Simple Choice" was all about. No Gotchas, Caveats, hidden fees, or other nonsense. Which, moves us to point #4.

People like myself, long time T-Mobile customers who have actually spoken positively about T-Mobile and recommended the company to others, that is no longer possible. I would never want someone to associate my recommendation with this steaming pile.

Bad move, Honest John Shakrai

join:2016-02-27

United State 7 recommendations Shakrai Member DNS Hijacking



T-Mo gets a pass from a lot of people because of their consumer friendly moves, but when you look past that marketing campaign (that's all "uncarrier" is) they're still a for-profit company, just like Verizon and AT&T. Regarding this new plan, it's not entirely without merit (NN issues aside) and clearly aimed at sniping customers from the Big Two; I think what bothers a lot of people is the retirement of Simple Choice. Originally they were all to go away, now allegedly it's just Simple Choice Unlimited; either way T-Mo could have offered them side by side if they were so inclined.



One size fits all seems to be what they're going for but that's going to leave a lot of people (single line customers in particular; why are we shit on by ALL FOUR carriers?!?) high and dry. When/if Simple Choice goes away for new sign ups T-Mo will have the most expensive entry level plan; how well is that gonna work for them trying to compete against superior networks? I gave my Verizon UDP for Simple Choice; I would NOT have given it up for T-Mo One, and frankly I doubt I would have given up a more current Verizon plan either. T-Mobile can't even provide its users with a genuine DNS service; they engage in DNS hijacking , like a lot of ISPs, but unlike those other providers they do not provide a real opt-out mechanism. This would be tolerable in the wireline world, where it's child's play to select your own DNS servers, but with a cell phone there is no way to override them on cellular that doesn't require root/jail breaking and/or isn't a total kludge.T-Mo gets a pass from a lot of people because of their consumer friendly moves, but when you look past that marketing campaign (that's all "uncarrier" is) they're still a for-profit company, just like Verizon and AT&T. Regarding this new plan, it's not entirely without merit (NN issues aside) and clearly aimed at sniping customers from the Big Two; I think what bothers a lot of people is the retirement of Simple Choice. Originally they were all to go away, now allegedly it's just Simple Choice Unlimited; either way T-Mo could have offered them side by side if they were so inclined.One size fits all seems to be what they're going for but that's going to leave a lot of people (single line customers in particular; why are we shit on by ALL FOUR carriers?!?) high and dry. When/if Simple Choice goes away for new sign ups T-Mo will have the most expensive entry level plan; how well is that gonna work for them trying to compete against superior networks? I gave my Verizon UDP for Simple Choice; I would NOT have given it up for T-Mo One, and frankly I doubt I would have given up a more current Verizon plan either.

ctaranto

join:2011-12-14

MA 6 recommendations ctaranto Member Agreed I'm not a big fan of the new "unlimited data plan" and will not be joining in.



It's poetic that the article states:

"...and very carrier-like "uncarrier" moves of lake." This move, IMO, is quite Eerie. me1212

join:2008-11-20

Pleasant Hill, MO 3 recommendations me1212 Member Perhaps its time they take a page from the wireline playbook. Unlimited usage but limited speed all around. Kinda like what tmo(sprint to I think) is doing with 480p unlimited video unless you pay more but for everything. Time warner has different speed packs here, but all uncapped bandwidth limited by the size of the pipe. Maybe the mobile isps should do the same. IE 2mbps plans(enough for 480p video speed) 6mb(1080p speed) etc etc, and just have that be your max speed for everything. If verizon had an unlimited 3mb a month plan for say $50ish-$60ish I'd be all over it. techguru308

join:2016-05-19

Cincinnati, OH 2 recommendations techguru308 Member The Problem's with T Mobile One Plan The Problem with T Mobile One Plan is the pricing and the fact you have to pay for HD/4K Video viewing for your phone/tablet. If T Mobile would including unlimited data for your smartphone and tablet, no tethering would be included in the plan you would have to buy a tethering data bucket. Get rid of Binge on and the fee to watch HD/4K Video on the new T Mobile One Plan. $70.00 is too high for the initial line of service. They should charge $50.00 for the initial line of service and charge $25.00 per line. Get rid of the auto pay penalty. I think people would be okay with the plan.

Anon53464

@qwest.net 2 recommendations Anon53464 Anon Is T-Mobile Still trying to sell itself? This seems like a way to attract potential bidders, not new consumers.