Yesterday, Verizon announced they would start offering unlimited data plans again, for the first time in over five years. For $80 a month, the plan has remarkably few catches - speeds may be decreased in congested areas after 22GB, and you only get 10GB of LTE data for tethering. Now T-Mobile appears to be rushing to stay competitive, as CEO John Legere has announced changes to the T-Mobile ONE Plan on Twitter.
If you're out of the loop, T-Mobile's ONE plan was met with controversy due to the sheer number of confusing and annoying catches. Now that actual competition is here (Competition? With US carriers?), T-Mobile is removing some of the silly limits on its ONE plan.
First off, streaming video will no longer be limited to 480p, and instead will be capped at "HD." In addition, ONE customers will now have 10GB of high-speed hotspot data, matching Verizon's offering. Previously, T-Mobile limited tethering to 512Kbps unless you signed up for the ONE Plus plan or purchased $3 24-hour passes for faster speeds. T-Mobile told Ars Technica that the 24-hour passes are staying, but they are free - you just have to turn it on when you want HD video.
T-Mobile ONE pricing is still the same $70/month for one line ($10 less than Verizon's Unlimited plan), but a promotion was also announced for $100/month for two lines. These changes will go into effect February 17 for both existing and new customers, but existing customers will have to, "activate their new features in the T-Mobile app or at my.t-mobile.com."
PRESS RELEASE
Bellevue, Washington — February 13, 2017 — The results are in, and the facts are clear. Verizon’s lost their network advantage and had to cave-in on unlimited data. And, because this was all so predictably “carrier” of them, the Un-carrier was ready. Days after OpenSignal ranked T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) and Verizon neck and neck on speed and LTE availability, Verizon began pitching its own unlimited plan today, reversing course on all their previous rhetoric about unlimited data. And today, T-Mobile announced the addition of HD video and 10GB high-speed Mobile Hotspot data to T-Mobile ONE – all at no extra charge – and all with monthly taxes and fees included. Right on top of that, the Un-carrier introduced a new offer of two lines on T-Mobile ONE for just $100.
“I don’t blame Verizon for caving. They just lost their network advantage, and they know it … and more importantly, more and more customers know it. Their back’s against the wall,” said John Legere, president and CEO at T-Mobile. “This is what the Un-carrier does—drag the carriers kicking and screaming into the future. Next up, we’re going to force them to include monthly taxes and fees. Mark my words.”
These upgrades are available starting this Friday, February 17, at no extra charge for customers on T-Mobile ONE. Customers can simply activate their new features in the T-Mobile app or at my.t-mobile.com. Customers will get HD quality video streaming and up to 10GB of high-speed Mobile Hotspot data per month, so they can ‘tether’ a laptop or other device to access the Internet. And, after the included 10GB of high-speed data, customers still get unlimited 3G data through the end of the month.
The Un-carrier today also announced a killer new deal for T-Mobile ONE with two lines. Also starting this Friday, February 17, new and existing T-Mobile customers can now get two lines of T-Mobile ONE with monthly taxes and fees included for just $100 per month.
T-Mobile is kicking off this screaming, limited-time deal to celebrate T-Mobile’s wins in the OpenSignal report – the most extensive test of LTE network speed and coverage based on 4.6 BILLION actual user experiences. That study found the Un-carrier’s LTE network is just as fast as Verizon’s and with nearly equal coverage, and T-Mobile customers get an LTE signal about as often as Verizon customers. That fact underscores the expansive breadth of T-Mobile’s LTE coverage, which now reaches 313 million people and covers more than 99% as many people as Verizon.
OpenSignal isn’t alone in recognizing T-Mobile’s network gains. T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is also recognized as America’s fastest according to independent third-party data from Speedtest.net, the FCC and Twin Prime. Like OpenSignal, those tests are also based on tens of millions of real-time, crowd-sourced tests by millions of real customers, not paid consultants, using their own devices where they live, work and play.
T-Mobile ONE with monthly taxes and fees included is just $40 a line for a family of four with autopay (and yes, you can use a credit card! And, no, that’s not an “introductory price” like Verizon’s). That also includes unlimited talk, text and high-speed data on the nation’s fastest LTE network in the US, Canada and Mexico, as well as free data roaming in 140+ countries and destinations.
Don’t forget, with T-Mobile Kickback, you get PAID BACK up to $10 per line when you use less data. And only T-Mobile offers the Un-contract pricing guarantee, so ONLY you have the power to change the price you pay.
On all T-Mobile plans, if the network becomes intermittently congested, top 3% of data users (>28GB/mo.) may notice reduced speeds due to prioritization. On-device usage is prioritized over tethering usage, which may result in higher speeds for data used on device. Sales tax & regulatory fees included in monthly price. See in-store materials for specifics in your state. Kickback on qualifying lines with <2GB data usage in previous bill cycle. Must make on-time payments; must activate by end of bill cycle & be active/in good standing when credit applied. Promo lines priced <$10 will receive <$10 credit; free lines ineligible. May not be combinable with bill credit device offers.
As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The Company's advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to 71.5 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visithttp://www.t-mobile.com.
