EE, Orange and T-Mobile phone bills set to rise on May 28th
If you missed the postman this morning, then we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you might be returning home to a letter detailing an imminent increase to your monthly mobile phone bill. As of May 28th, customers on EE’s 4G network or the 3G sub-brands Orange and T-Mobile will be expected to fork out another 2.7 percent on top of what they’re already paying each month — the charges for anything beyond your allowance will go up slightly, too. We’ll leave you to crunch the numbers, but basically the price hike is in line with inflation, meaning you kind of agreed you’d be cool with it when signing those T&Cs you read so thoroughly. If you want to cancel your contract, then, we’re afraid you’ll be paying early termination fees. If you signed a new contract or upgraded after January 23rd this year, however, then nothing’s going to change for you. Under Ofcom’s rules — the ones O2 ain’t following — anyone in that situation could exit their contract scot-free, and EE’d likely prefer the business. If only our data caps rose with inflation, too.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Via: CNET
Source: EE
Sony releases an unlocked Xperia Z1 with US-friendly LTE
Frustrated that you’ve had to sign up to T-Mobile just to pick up an Xperia Z1 variant with completely US-native LTE? That won’t be a problem after this week. Sony has released an unlocked version of the Z1 that can take advantage of 4G speeds on AT&T, T-Mobile and their virtual network partners. The flagship Android phone should also support LTE on bigger Canadian carriers, if you’re inclined to travel. You won’t get anything else special for the $620 you’ll spend on the unlocked model, but it may scratch the itch if you’re unwilling to wait for stateside releases of newer hardware like the Z2 or Z1 Compact.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony, AT&T, T-Mobile
Via: CNET
Source: Sony
T-Mobile offers BlackBerry subscribers $100 credit toward any other phone
T-Mobile head honcho John Legere’s assuring its BlackBerry-toting subscribers they’ve got nothing to worry about despite the companies’ falling out. But, just in case they are worried (or just want to try other platforms), he’s also offering them a $100 credit toward any device. Legere made the announcement in an open letter posted on T-Mo’s blog, where he also reminded folks they can stay with the carrier and still use BlackBerrys if they bring their own unlocked devices.
While the $100 credit gives subscribers the chance to give other phones or platforms a try, they can also use the money to get a Q10 or a Z10, assuming they didn’t take advantage of that controversial $250 trade-in promo last time. The offer’s good until the end of the year, but those who prefer upgrading from an older BB phone to one of the Canadian company’s newer offerings might want to decide soon. T-Mobile’s license to sell BlackBerry devices in the US will expire on April 25th, and it doesn’t look like BB CEO John Chen is changing his tune.
PS: Legere also mentioned that T-Mobile has more in store for BlackBerry subscribers: “Stay tuned for another Un-carrier offer that gives you more value and even more reasons to stay with America’s fastest growing wireless company.”
Hey, I hear ya. You want the newest #BB devices with @TMobile. Tell @Blackberry and #Chen you’re unhappy with his decision! #BBSpeakUp
– John Legere (@JohnLegere) April 3, 2014
Filed under: Wireless, Mobile, Blackberry, T-Mobile
Via: CNET
Source: T-Mobile
T-Mobile adjusts Advantage Program employer discount policy
T-Mobile on Wednesday confirmed changes to its Advantage Program which offers employer discounts on rate plans. After hearing from its user base and existing clients, the Uncarrier has decided to grandfather customers into the program. Instead of dumping everyone outright, those who already enjoy discounts because of their employer will get to keep them.
Everyone enrolled in the Advantage Program or who applied to enroll before April 1st will be able to keep a rate plan discount as long as they work at a participating employer and remain on a qualifying plan. All of our Simple Choice plans currently qualify. We will be asking that customers participate in a simple annual online employer verification. That’s it.
Going forward, anyone who works for an employer that qualifies for the Advantage Program will earn $25 credit toward an upgrade or purchase.
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T-Mobile will no longer carry BlackBerry devices
By the looks of it, BlackBerry chief John Chen wasn’t appeased by T-Mobile’s attempt to make peace — in fact, things have only escalated: T-Mobile will no longer carry any BlackBerry device. In a press release today, the company formerly known as RIM announced that it has chosen not to renew T-Mobile’s license to sell its products when it expires on April 25th, 2014. If you’re wondering what exactly happened between the two companies, it all started when T-Mobile offered customers discounts on other phones if they trade in a BlackBerry. Obviously, that didn’t sit well with Chen, so the magenta network launched a similar promo for existing BB owners, giving them $200 to $250 if they’re upgrading to another BlackBerry device. Those who decided to do so need not worry, though: the two promise not to let this nasty divorce get in the way of supporting their current customers.
Filed under: Mobile, Blackberry, T-Mobile
Source: BlackBerry
T-Mobile ends employer discount for rate plans
Effective April 1, T-Mobile will end the monthly discount for customers who previously enjoyed a company discount. Some subscribers would save a small percentage on their monthly bill provided they set this up with T-Mobile and their employer. In its place, says the carrier, will be a $25 credit toward the purchase of a new device or upgrade. An announcement from the carrier late last week says this is to make things less confusing across the board.
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Sprint’s partnering with smaller carriers for coast-to-coast LTE coverage
Instead of building its own coverage infrastructure in areas where the deer and antelope play, Sprint is teaming up with smaller carriers to create a cross-country roaming network. At its conference tomorrow, the Competitive Carrier Association (CCA) is expected to announce the launch of its Data Access Hub and a partnership with Sprint, which will create a coast-to-coast 4G network that’s comprised of many smaller regional networks that are all stitched together. As CNET tells it, this could give Sprint (and possibly T-Mobile, should it join) customers access to rural data networks — areas that are typically dead zones — and those on the rural networks would gain access to urban LTE coverage; the street would go both ways here it seems.
The CCA’s president, Steve Berry, says that the reasoning behind the shift is simple: it’d take billions of dollars and several years for the Now network or the magenta carrier to build their own rural coverage areas to rival the likes of AT&T and Verizon. This move could help level the playing field for the smaller carriers, he says, and possibly provide a better experience for pretty much everyone involved.
[Image credit: Rennett Stowe / Flickr]
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile
Source: CNET
T-Mobile announce HTC One M8 Pricing and Availability
Following the announcement of the new HTC One M8 at the HTC NYC event, T-Mobile have now announced their pricing and availability of the device.
The HTC One will be priced at $0 upfront cost and $26.50 per month on a 24-month contract. The new device will be available both online and in store for purchase as of 11th April, 2014.
“Our friends at HTC have nailed it again,” said Jason Young, senior vice president of Marketing, T-Mobile. “The all-new HTC One (M8) has the brainpower of a true superphone together with stunning hardware design, which combined with T-Mobile’s Un-carrier freedom on America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network, equals an enviable package.”
Will you be picking up your HTC One M8 on T-Mobile?
[T-Mobile]
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Report: AT&T and Verizon spent heavily lobbying for favorable LTE auction rules
If AT&T and Verizon manage to shut its smaller foes out of a critical LTE wireless auction, it would severely harm US wireless competition, according to the Center for Public Integrity. In a report it said that the pair of wireless giants spent nearly $30 million on lobbying last year, almost four times the $8 million paid out by Sprint and T-Mobile. The low-frequency 600MHz spectrum in question is highly valued for its long range and ability to penetrate buildings, necessitating fewer towers and lower infrastructure costs. AT&T and Verizon already control 74 percent of existing low-band frequencies, putting Sprint and T-Mobile at a significant disadvantage — especially outside of cities. As a result, T-Mobile’s CEO, John Legere has stressed the importance of the upcoming auction for the future of his company.
However, the rules for that auction have yet to be finalized by FCC chair Tom wheeler. AT&T and Verizon believe they should be able to bid for as much spectrum as they want in order to raise the maximum amount of cash. And given their combined 70 percent share of the US mobile market, it’s likely the duo could easily outbid their smaller rivals. T-Mobile and Sprint, by contrast, believe that the amount of spectrum available to any given company should be capped. Backed by a report from the DOJ, they claim that would make for a more competitive market and result in lower prices for consumers. Because of those conflicting views, much of the reported lobbying money has gone toward studies supporting each camp’s positions — with the lion’s sharing coming from AT&T and Verizon. Meanwhile, Wheeler hasn’t given any hint as to which way he’s leaning, but if you’re thinking of becoming a wireless industry lobbyist, now’s the time.
Filed under: Wireless, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile
Via: BGR
Source: The Center for Public Integrity
T-Mobile circles March 24 for Samsung Galaxy S5 pre-orders
T-Mobile on Thursday announced that preorders begin for the Samsung Galaxy S5 on March 24. Keeping with its tradition of attracting customers, the Uncarrier will offer the flagship device at zero down and payments equally spread over 24 months.
As for that cost, the $27.50/mo equates to $660, or about what everyone else is doing. The chief difference here is that T-Mobile will not lock you into a service contract and you can cancel service whenever you’d like. You’ll have to pay off the remaining balance, of course, but you get the gist. Don’t forget that you can also break your existing carrier’s contract and bring your family plan to T-Mobile. Do so and the magenta ones will pay off your early termination fees.
“This thing is so hot we’ve already seen over a half a million pre-registrations for the Galaxy S 5,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. ”That’s a lot of very smart people grabbing this opportunity to pay nothing down, save more than a grand over the life of the other guys’ contracts, and have T-Mobile pay off every penny of their family’s early termination fees. It’s a brilliant move.”
On March 31 T-Mobile will offer the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 with a limited discount of $120 off the normal price. As is the case with other tablets purchased through T-Mobile, you’ll get 200MB of free data for the life of the device. Note that this promotion is available while supplies last.
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