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T-Mobile teases $15 5G plan and other post-merger initiatives
When, and if, it launches its 5G network on December 6th, T-Mobile will offer a new $15 per month prepaid 5G plan to customers. The plan will include a 2GB per month data allowance, in addition to unlimited talk and text. At $15, the plan is half the price of T-Mobile's current cheapest plan. For $25 per month, customers can upgrade to a plan with 5GB of monthly data. Additionally, T-Mobile says it will add 500MB of data to both plans every year for up to five years.
T-Mobile relaunches its TV service with an AI viewing guide (updated)
T-Mobile hasn't been quick to fulfill its promises of launching TV service, but it finally has something to show following all the early hype: it's launching TVision Home, a rebranded and retuned version of Layer3's broadband-based IPTV service. It's not the fully independent streaming service you might have hoped for (that's coming later in 2019). However, the telecom is hoping to bring a dash of its straightforward "Uncarrier" strategy to the TV world -- provided you're willing to pay.
T-Mobile's streaming TV service will include Viacom channels
T-Mobile hasn't given up on its plans to introduce a TV service. Rumors circulated that the company would launch a TV offering in 2018, and while that clearly didn't happen, it looks like we might actually see it this year. Today, T-Mobile and Viacom announced a content distribution agreement that will bring Viacom's channels -- including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Paramount -- to T-Mobile's "uncarrier" TV service.
T-Mobile reportedly pushes TV service rollout to 2019
About a year ago, T-Mobile announced that it was working on a TV service, one that would launch in 2018 and "uncarrier" TV the way the company did with mobile service. Well, 2018 is nearly over and so far, there hasn't been any sign of T-Mobile's service. Now, Bloomberg is reporting that the service's rollout has been delayed to at least 2019. According to sources familiar with the matter, T-Mobile had to decide whether to launch a typical streaming platform or take some more time to develop something a bit more "groundbreaking," and apparently, it's going with the latter.
T-Mobile tackles lousy customer service with 'Team of Experts'
It's no secret that a lot of carrier tech support is lousy. It's not just that you have to wade through menus -- it's that you're often pushed between support agents who only have the foggiest idea of your service history and are encouraged to get you off the phone quickly. T-Mobile thinks it can do better. It's launching a "Team of Experts" initiative that's meant to get you in touch with people who can actually deal with your problems instead of passing the buck.
T-Mobile will launch a TV service in 2018
You'd think that telecoms would want to bail on conventional TV services given how many people are cutting the cord, but don't tell that to T-Mobile. The carrier has revealed that it's launching a TV service in 2018, and that it has acquired Layer3 TV (a company that integrates TV, streaming and social networking) to make this happen. It claims that it can "uncarrier" TV the way it did with wireless service, and has already targeted a few areas it thinks it can fix: it doesn't like the years-long contracts, bloated bundles, outdated tech and poor customer service that are staples of TV service in the US.
Why is Verizon offering unlimited data again?
As soon as Verizon dropped the unexpected news that it was bringing back unlimited data plans, I immediately started searching for the catch. The company has a rightfully earned reputation for nickel-and-diming its customers to death, even though some would argue its excellent network is worth the premium. But aside from being more expensive than T-Mobile's offering, Verizon's unlimited plan seems to be a good option. In fact, the new Verizon plan forced T-Mobile to do away with the incredibly annoying way it dealt with streaming HD video on its network. It's been awhile since T-Mobile was forced to follow another carrier's lead, but Verizon appears to have learned from T-Mobile's misstep.
T-Mobile will pay you back if you don't use much data
T-Mobile is fond of using CES to shake things up, and that's certainly true this year. The carrier is making a few moves that will ideally simplify your experience and lower your real-world costs... or at least, tell you the truth. It's introducing a KickBack feature on January 22nd that will pay you if you're miserly with your data on a One plan -- use 2GB or less per month and you'll get $10 back. It's not as flexible as Google's Project Fi and its pay-for-what-you-use approach, but it could be a strong lure if you think unlimited data is overkill. That's a good thing, too, as unlimited is your only choice going forward.
T-Mobile Digits brings calls and texts to all your devices
T-Mobile is doing its Uncarrier thing again. As the carrier works on bringing its LTE network to US forces and older cars, it's also bringing the latest technology to its existing customers. The company's new Digits program lets you add multiple numbers to your phone, and then use them across all your devices. Starting today, postpaid customers can sign up to try out a beta version of the service, which the company says will launch commercially next year. Those who join the trial will need to have at least Android 5.0 or iOS 9 installed on their phones, and/or Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome on their Macs or PCs.
T-Mobile One is the carrier's new unlimited data plan
T-Mobile has offered an unlimited data option for a while now, using it as a big differentiator between it and AT&T and Verizon. But now, it sounds like the carrier is going to do away with data buckets entirely and offer one plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data. It's called T-Mobile One, and it'll be available to current and new customers as of September 6th.
T-Mobile adds Apple Music, Fox Now and more to Binge On
T-Mobile's adding a whole bunch more entertainment services to its 'Un-carrier' plans today, meaning lower data bills for customers that just can't bear to switch off Quantico while out and about.
T-Mobile is giving away free 'Pokémon Go' data for a year
T-Mobile has been watching you play Pokémon Go, and it knows you're guzzling data every time you head out to catch Pokémon. That's why the next T-Mobile Tuesday is poised to offer unlimited data for Pokémon Go through August 2017.
T-Mobile will offer unlimited data for European travel
T-Mobile is continuing its practice of proving to everyone why it should be worthy of the "Un-carrier" moniker. This time around, the company is offering unlimited data with up to 4G LTE speeds throughout Europe for the rest of the summer.
T-Mobile's new Uncarrier move gives company stock to subscribers
John Legere has spent basically his entire tenure as T-Mobile CEO sweetening the deal for new and current customers, and today his largesse took a very peculiar form. As part of the newly announced Uncarrier 11 initiative, T-Mobile launched StockUp, a new rewards program that grants one share of company stock to every T-Mobile primary account holder. Those folks can bank up to 100 shares a year by referring their friends -- not too shabby, considering shares are currently valued at $43.62 and T-Mobile's strong financial growth could nudge that number even higher.
T-Mobile adds more services to Binge On and Music Freedom
T-Mobile's Binge On and Music Freedom plans for streaming video and music without gobbling up your data add new services to the data-free initiative on the regular. Today, the Un-carrier is adding even more. Amazon Music and ESPN Radio are the two notable additions to Music Freedom while Binge On video now includes Nickelodeon, Spike, TV Land and Epix. Legere & Co. have been preaching this version of streaming for a while, and today the company says the options for streaming that won't cut into your monthly allotment now tally over 100. And that includes porn.
T-Mobile adds YouTube and more to its Binge On streaming
Following a round of additions to its Binge On initiative in January, T-Mobile is tacking on more content to the data-free video option. Beginning today, YouTube, Google Play Movies, Red Bull TV, Discovery Go, Fox Business, Baeble Music, ESNE TV, FilmOn.TV and KlowdTV won't count against that data cap when you stream video on the Un-carrier. The company says today's group pushes the total services available via Binge On to more than 50. Of course, the videos you watch are "mobile optimized," so don't expect Ultra HD quality.
T-Mobile will give Verizon customers a year of Hulu to switch
T-Mobile announced a new phase of its Un-carrier Unwrapped holiday promotion on Thursday. The company already offered Sprint customers $200 to change carriers and tempted AT&T subscribers with a steeply discounted 128GB iPhone 6s. Now, Verizon customers who switch to T-Mobile's Simple Choice postpaid plan will receive a year-long Hulu subscription (with limited commercials, valued at $100). Additionally, switchers will receive up to a 50 percent discount on all in-store accessories. The promotion runs until Sunday, December 13th. You can find full details, rules and restrictions over at T-Mobile.
New T-Mobile customers will have to pay more for unlimited data
Lost amid the usual T-Mobile hoopla surrounding its latest "Uncarrier" move was a pretty significant price jump for new customers who only need one phone on their plan. Currently, if you go to T-Mobile's site and configure a one-line plan with unlimited data, you'll see it will set you back $80 per month. However, starting on November 15th, a single line with unlimited data will cost $95 per month. That's before any taxes as well as any additional monthly charges you may pay for your phone. This change will come the same day that T-Mobile rolls out its new "Binge On" feature that lets you stream certain video services without it affecting your data cap.
T-Mobile's 'Binge On' lets you stream video, leave your data untouched
T-Mobile CEO John Legere is on a bit of a tear over in Los Angeles right now -- after doubling the amount of mobile data T-Mo customers will get as part of the carrier's Simple Choice Amped plans, he confirmed the existence of a Music Freedom-like feature for video services. Long story short, T-Mobile customers will be able to watch video at "DVD quality or better" (480p and above) from 24 streaming services without eating into their high-speed data buckets. And the price? As usual, it'll cost you a whopping zero additional dollars starting on Sunday for people who switch to the company's new Simple Choice Amped plans.
Watch T-Mobile's 'Uncarrier X' live stream here!
T-Mobile is holding another "Uncarrier" event this afternoon to announce, well, nobody quite knows for sure. Set to start at 2PM EST, the tagline for the invitation reads "we never hit pause," which kickstarted the rumor mill. A majority of speculators are saying that the wireless carrier will announce its customers will be allowed to use streaming sites like Netflix, HBO Go and Hulu without it counting towards their data cap. The wireless carrier already offers unfettered streaming of music sites like Spotify and Pandora, so the concept isn't entirely foreign. If these rumors are true, this could be an industry game-changer -- and get net neutrality advocates in a huff because of how unequally it treats data. Video streaming does use up a huge amount of cellular data, though, so this could definitely come in handy if you're looking to watch a TV episode during your lunch break at work. The only way to know for sure, of course, is to tune in.
