CEO Confirms All iPads on T-Mobile Receive 200MB Free Data Each Month

[kevinbal]

Whew..
I came on here to see what I was doing wrong on the t-Mobile website - I couldn't get the free 200mb data package to work on a new iPad purchase.

Based on the comments here, it is a hot mess!

They're losing a lot of business with this confusion. Could they be overwhelmed by the response that they now made the minimum $20 deal (worse than AT&T) a way to calm down purchases??

AT&T Next (assuming you have a Mobile Share Everything), at this point, is 0% financing and "unlimited" data (in a sense that it just eats from your pool) for $10/mo.

Seeing as I'm an AT&T customer already, this might be the route I go now. Really I am interested in the 0% financing, but I'd rather get more for a $10 surcharge. Lost opportunity on T-Mobile's part to get me to see what their network is like, and I'd imagine others as well. The reality is that I'd save about $40/mo with T-mobile, even without my FAN discount with AT&T -- I just don't trust the coverage.

Of course the ultimate irony is that prior to Legere's comments, I wasn't even considering a cellular iPad Air, only the wi-fi version. Now, on account of all this, I'm going to probably end up giving more money to his competitor.

 

[T-Will]

Just buy a T-Mo iPad Air from Apple. No hassle or anything. Unless you want to do the financing option.

 

[fithian]

I need to stay where I am. I get 500MB/day, 200 minutes of call anywhere in the country/month and unlimited texts for £16.99 ($27) a month. I don't understand how my small local provider can do that and massive US corps can't. Consumers need to find a way of changing the game so that these companies don't take liberties.

For my third iPhone on T-Mobile I get 500MB LTE per month, unlimited 2G data, unlimited Talk, unlimited Text, for $10/month. First iPhone was $50, second $30 and third, fourth, fifth are $10/month. iPads are free.

 

[Jolson247]

Just buy a T-Mo iPad Air from Apple. No hassle or anything. Unless you want to do the financing option.

I think the financing is the point.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

Just buy a T-Mo iPad Air from Apple. No hassle or anything. Unless you want to do the financing option.

In that case there is no need to buy the Tmobile iPad. Unless you want Tmobile service. I have Verizon. If I did that, I'd either get the wifi version. Or the Verizon one, if I buy directly from Apple or Best Buy etc.

 

[RUinOhio]

Oh I hope you're right, but the change to a $20 minimum to finance gives me lots of doubt.

I understand why so many people are freaking out. People, fairly, expect to be ripped off by carriers. And T-Mobile obviously wasn't nearly ready to implement this.

But I'm convinced that this is where it ends. Everybody (including me) who financed will be charged and credited $10 a month.

And to those asking if we really expected tmobile to finance our iPads for free? Yes. That's there new business plan. It's a Loss Leader sure, but they are the distant fourth they need customers, and they must think over the corporate of two years you will buy enough extra data to pay for it. I know I probably will.

 

[Will do good]

Got one yesterday. 200MB free for ever. Perfect for my needs.

Thanks, TMobile

 

[dumboguy]

Here's how I see it:

This is kind of like a deal on a new car. Typically car dealers offer financing or a rebate. Not both. The offer will read something like 0% Financing for 36 months or $2000 cash back. You can't get both. They are 2 different offers. The widely reported press release was probably meant to read like this. 200 mb free data for life or 0 down for 24 months. The only problem was that there was no "or" and the "and" there was was talking about 2 different offers. To add to the confusion most press outlets including macrumors read the press release the same way he rest of us did and reported it that way. Why did everyone think this? Because T-Mobile is not a car dealer and these kinds of offers are not expected from a cell provider. I guarantee the 200mb offer was never intended to be part of the postpaid plans but now they are kinda stuck trying to figure out a solution due to the backlash. The real question is why did a $10 On Demand data plan that includes no data exist in the first place? Perhaps as a temporary plan for someone who will be not using their device for a month or 2. I don't see why anyone would setup a postpaid account with no data for $10 a month otherwise.

 

[coreynyc]

Here's how I see it:

This is kind of like a deal on a new car. Typically car dealers offer financing or a rebate. Not both. The offer will read something like 0% Financing for 36 months or $2000 cash back. You can't get both. They are 2 different offers. The widely reported press release was probably meant to read like this. 200 mb free data for life or 0 down for 24 months. The only problem was that there was no "or" and the "and" there was was talking about 2 different offers. To add to the confusion most press outlets including macrumors read the press release the same way he rest of us did and reported it that way. Why did everyone think this? Because T-Mobile is not a car dealer and these kinds of offers are not expected from a cell provider. I guarantee the 200mb offer was never intended to be part of the postpaid plans but now they are kinda stuck trying to figure out a solution due to the backlash. The real question is why did a $10 On Demand data plan that includes no data exist in the first place? Perhaps as a temporary plan for someone who will be not using their device for a month or 2. I don't see why anyone would setup a postpaid account with no data for $10 a month otherwise.

One problem with your theory, you're wrong. All of us (media & consumers) were basing our expectation off of this T-Mo press release:

http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251624&p=irol-newsarticle&ID=1867397


"And every T-Mobile iPad user will receive 200 MB of free 4G LTE data every month for as long as they own their iPad, even if they aren't yet a T-Mobile customer."

"When you buy a product as amazing as iPad, you should be able to connect when and where you want, simply and affordably," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. "By offering free data for life with incredible upfront pricing, T-Mobile is un-leashing customers to fully enjoy iPad as it was meant to be enjoyed - mobile and connected."

"Customers wanting more data can choose from a range of simple, affordable and flexible options - with no annual service contracts, no data overages and a blazing-fast nationwide 4G LTE network."

T-Mo pulled a bait & switch.

 

[Will do good]

So what happens when you exceed the 200MB free data allotment? Is there a warning beforehand or do you automatically get hit with $20 for 1.5GB or something?

I didn't put down a credit card number to get my Tmobile iPad Air- The 200 Mb just show up every month for free.

Once you used up your 200MB, you can than buy the 1 day 500mb for $10, 1 week 1GB for $15 or 1 month for 2.5GB for $30.

Or

Recurring/auto renew monthly
30 days 6.5GB $50
30 days 8.5GB $60
30 days 2.5GB $30
30 days 4.5GB $40
30 days 500MB $20
30 days 10.5GB $70
30 days 12.5GB $80

This is the info I got directly from my iPad's additional purchase option. Pretty fair deal.

 

[dumboguy]

One problem with your theory, you're wrong. All of us (media & consumers) were basing our expectation off of this T-Mo press release:

http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251624&p=irol-newsarticle&ID=1867397


"And every T-Mobile iPad user will receive 200 MB of free 4G LTE data every month for as long as they own their iPad, even if they aren't yet a T-Mobile customer."

"When you buy a product as amazing as iPad, you should be able to connect when and where you want, simply and affordably," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. "By offering free data for life with incredible upfront pricing, T-Mobile is un-leashing customers to fully enjoy iPad as it was meant to be enjoyed - mobile and connected."

"Customers wanting more data can choose from a range of simple, affordable and flexible options - with no annual service contracts, no data overages and a blazing-fast nationwide 4G LTE network."

T-Mo pulled a bait & switch.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I feel the same way. The sneakiest part of that press release was the words "not yet a T-Mobile customer" because what they mean by it is switch to T-Mobile voice and you get a 10 credit monthly that covers the cost of the 200 mb plan. Not yet a customer? Come be one and we will make sure your data is free. Oh wait you want to stick with your grandfathered unlimited AT&T plan? Ok that's fine we just need to collect a $10 a month surcharge.

 

[formerpc]

People are confusing two different promos!!!

Hard to take someone who finds it necessary to yell many times seriously. Feels like I'm being beat into believing your story (which is no more to be believed than anyone else's at this point, really). This'll all get sorted out in the end, though.

As for my experience, I changed my data plan from the $20 to the $10 plan and am listed in my account as having 200MB/month. If financing means I have to pay a pittance each month, so be it. Once my iPad is paid off, I'll likely switch to the completely free 200MB plan. Again, we'll see what happens.

 

[davideotape]

Hard to take someone who finds it necessary to yell many times seriously. Feels like I'm being beat into believing your story (which is no more to be believed than anyone else's at this point, really). This'll all get sorted out in the end, though.

As for my experience, I changed my data plan from the $20 to the $10 plan and am listed in my account as having 200MB/month. If financing means I have to pay a pittance each month, so be it. Once my iPad is paid off, I'll likely switch to the completely free 200MB plan. Again, we'll see what happens.

Rough math, $10/month for 2 years is about the same as putting it on a 15% credit card.
If you can find an interest free card you might be getting a better deal there

 

[cpsuraf]

Hi all:
New to the forum. I purchased the ipad air on t-mobile's website on friday. I did purchase with the understanding that i had to pay an additional $10 on-demand fee per month. This to me was the "right" to access the network. It's not a fee for financing it (as that would be interest). I did the EIP for the ipad since it is a christmas gift for the wife. I planned on paying this thing off within 6 months or so. I just wanted to give t-mobile a try. Let's just say i do take 24 months to pay it off. It's $120 a year extra, so an additional $240.

$10 a month is the equivalent of 2 tall Starbucks lattes and 1 tall coffee. I am pretty sure most folks on this forum could cough that up, when you think of it in real terms.

The CEO says that the whole thing well get sorted. Well, I hope so. If it does, great, if not, (at least for me) no big deal. It's $10 a month for 200mb of data. It becomes free once you pay off the thing (at least that's what the tmobile rep told me over the phone).

Does t-mobile profit? Of course they do. 1. They profit off the sale of the ipad itself (you know, the retail price is not t-mobile's actual cost, they derive profit off the thing). 2. As most people on thread have noted, they will use the 200 mb as a "back up". My wife barely ever uses more than 300 mb a month on her iphone. Really it just for travel, etc.

Here are the things that bother me:
1. Is it free or not. In the press release, the fine print made it clear it would be free, "with a qualifying internet account."

That to me means, you purchase the $10 on-demand plan, and should receive a $10 credit. Again, I could be wrong but very deceptive if the wrong is not made right, as tweeted by the CEO on friday. He seems very "jobs" like by responding to many tweets in his feed, so time will tell if they sort this thing out.

2. Their website, horrible. On friday it seemed easy to buy. The $10 on-demand plan was there. Read the fine print, take the plunge or not. This morning, gone. It's just their $20 plans. That's BS. Their FAQ has disappeared and what seemed to be clear is gone. At this point they really should halt their Ipad sales and straighten everything out.

3. I wanted to do something similar with the ipad mini retina. I wanted to see how t-mobile's coverage works. If they can't get this right, than i guess i can fall back to At&t's next plan and just move over the their crappy mobile share plan.

Just my two cents.

 

[dtlee1974]

Well, I just got done with a chat on the website and I think I nailed her down and she was pretty clear that the EIP works with the 200mb free data:

Jennifer: Hi. I'm a T-Mobile chat specialist. Is there anything I can help you find?
You: Where did the EIP plan for iPads that was advertised for the 2 weeks go?
Jennifer: Thank you for visiting T-Mobile! I would be happy to provide you with information regarding our EIP payment options for Apple ipad.
Jennifer: Let's move this chat and make it a window of its own. That way, you'll still see this web page while we chat. Please click 'Move My Chat' to move it now.
Jennifer: Thank you for moving the chat.
Jennifer: You can take advantage of our EIP payment options for your desired Apple iPad device by choosing the "Monthly Installment" payment options at the Review My Cart page.
You: It says that the product isn't eligible when I look at that page.
You: Note:This item is not eligible for a monthly payment plan
Jennifer: Thank you for the information.
Jennifer: Yes, the device is not eligible for monthly installment if you intend to purchase your desired Apple iPad device in the Prepaid mobile internet device offerings.
Jennifer: Do you currently have service with T-Mobile?
You: I'm really just researching at the moment, I intend to buy a Retina mini later in the month. My main question is this: Can I get the EIP plan & the free 200mb service at the same time?
You: I do not currently have service. My phone is a company owned Verizon phone, so I can't move my cell service even if I wanted to.
You: I don't need more than 200mb data all the time, but when I travel I like the option of buying more on demand. I'd love to give the Tmobile network a shot and the 200mb free is a good way to do that.
Jennifer: Thank you for considering T-Mobile Services!
You: But there is mixed information on whether the free 200mb and the EIP can be combined.
Jennifer: Definitely, you are qualified to own Apple iPad at monthly installment with our free 200MB of starter data every month for life.
Jennifer: Please copy and paste this link to your address bar: http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/free-mobile-internet-data.html
You: If I bought a retina mini, what would my total per month be?
Jennifer: One moment please as I get that information for you.
Jennifer: Thank you for waiting.
Jennifer: I apologize for the delay. For me to be able to provide the information you need, may I ask what particular Apple iPad are you interested in?
You: It will be the Retina Mini that isn't out yet, but if you need to calculate it just assume a 16gb iPad Air.
You: That is the same price as a 32gb Mini
Jennifer: Thank you for the information.
Jennifer: As I check, I'm sorry, I am unable to provide you your estimated monthly bill without taxes for your bill with Retina Mini since this is not offered at this moment.
Jennifer: We have available Apple iPad mini for you to take advantage.
You: Yeah, that's fine. Use a 16gb iPad Air to calculate it.
Jennifer: You can expect your monthly bill of $26.25 x 24 months in order for iPad Air with internal memory of 16GB to be fully paid off and taxes.
You: There are no other connection fees or anything else?
Jennifer: Only taxes will be added to your bill since our pricing is excluding taxes.
You: And I can take advantage of the 200mb free data plus I can buy extra data on demand when I travel?
Jennifer: Yes, you can purchase additional on - demand data plan once the free 200MB of starter data is used up.
You: Okay, that's great. I will come back and pre-order when the mini retina is released later this month. Thank you!
Jennifer: You're welcome. No worries! You are welcome anytime once you are ready.
You: Have a good day.
Jennifer: Have a good day too! Have I answered your questions regarding your estimated monthly bill without taxes?
You: Yes, thank you!

I'm not sure if they are simply getting their story straight or what, but that's the information I received.

 

[coreynyc]

I'm not disagreeing with you. I feel the same way. The sneakiest part of that press release was the words "not yet a T-Mobile customer" because what they mean by it is switch to T-Mobile voice and you get a 10 credit monthly that covers the cost of the 200 mb plan. Not yet a customer? Come be one and we will make sure your data is free. Oh wait you want to stick with your grandfathered unlimited AT&T plan? Ok that's fine we just need to collect a $10 a month surcharge.

Sorry, I reread what you posted.

 

[RUinOhio]

I just got a call from the store where I bought the ipad on finance. The transaction was flagged by corporate and the girl told me I should not have been offered financing unless I was voice customer or paid for a data plan ($20 at a minimum). CEO tweeted same so makes sense. She told me I can either pay $20 a month, or return it today for full refund. I am returning it right now.

the whole thing is crazy because they had to call corporate to approve my financing, so oh well.

At least I'm not out any money. She told me I run the risk of having t-mobile trying to charge me more when my first bill comes and I don't want that.

 

[jeffmo]

Lots of confusion that could be alleviated by avoiding the brick-and-mortar locations and calling 1-800TMOBILE directly. Just keep calling until you get a representative who is knowledgable or willing to seek out the CORRECT knowledge! I'm gonna repost my experience that I shared earlier in the forum with the hopes that some of you will read and learn from it.

PS. If you know certain pieces of information to be true due to official press releases, etc., then it becomes your responsibility to seek out an informed individual from a company to get you the benefits you know to exist. You can't seriously expect every representative to be on the "up and up" when it comes to blog posts, news forums and CEO tweets. No, instead you have to be the informed one, while simultaneously being the patient one! Try it and I hope you end up with an customer service experience as good as mine!

PSS. And if this ends up all being bunk and a blatant "bait & switch", well then they can expect some serious public backlash and some potential legal ramifications in the near future. However, I don't expect this if we all do our due diligence as consumers.

PSSS. As for the brick-and-mortar locations feeding misinformation; I actually do expect some places to be dodgy and misleading because at the end of the day, this new price model hurts THEIR INDIVIDUAL bottom line (even if it helps the corporation long term). You have to look at things from their perspective and understand that they don't have your best interests in mind. Remember, their jobs are often incentivized by commissions or numbers bonuses. Again, just do your due diligence and seek out what's rightfully being offered, even if it means having to wait a handful of days after ordering on the phone!

Old post:

Best bet is to just call 1-800TMOBILE because I spent time at 2 brick-and-mortar stores today and was fed a bunch of crap about having to have a voice line with T-Mobile or having to pay for the device IN FULL to receive the free data (even worse!).

Instead, I called their customer sales line and the representative was so thorough in explaining every single detail in regards to their installment plan for the iPad Air as well as the 200 MB of complementary data.

In the end, all you have to pay is $67.60 (upfront) for the tax of the device as well as the $10 sim starter kit. When you receive the iPad, you will activate your data account on the cellular management tool directly in the settings and you will be eligible to receive the 200 MB of free data for life with the option to add supplementary data as you go.

Initially, you will be "charged" $10 per month for the on-demand service, but once you activate the 200mb complementary data on the iPad (as stated before) that charge will no longer appear on your monthly bill. All you will end up paying is the $26.25 fee plus the regulatory tax for the device every month.

The process was long on the phone, but it was well worth it since every single angle was covered in terms of information. Plus, you do not get charged the $35 activation fee like you would in the brick-and-mortar stores.

The only downside to ordering on the phone is having to wait for the iPad to ship to you, but I feel like this is such a small concession to guarantee the awesome benefits of T-Mobile's new tablet data plan!

 

[SuperRob]

T-Mobile had a bigger problem. I would have been willing to understand a billing snafu and trusted that T-Mobile would have made it right.

What I couldn't understand is that they didn't have any of the devices I wanted! I would have bought either a 64GB or 128GB unit if they had them ... but they didn't. I ended up with a 64GB WiFi-only unit instead.

T-Mobile's inability to get devices lost them a potential revenue stream. I'll just use the 2.5GB of free hotspot data I have included in my plan instead, and pocketed the extra $130 on the device. I wanted the device that day, and not having the devices to sell wasn't something I wanted to overlook.

 

[RUinOhio]

better to return on a finance plan, because you won't get a bill until way after you can return the ipad.

 

[markyr17]

This whole thing is just a huge mess, in my opinion.

It wouldn't be so confusing, and have so many people upset if they would have just explained a little bit more. Yes, I agree many people are getting the 2 promotions confused -- free data for life, and the free financing over 24 months. It should have been extremely clear that the free 0.00 200mb does not count as a qualifying plan.

I would have surely jumped at this offer, had it been as lucrative as they made it out to be.

 

[MarkNY]

T-mobile almost has to honor the offer. If not, no offer from them in the future will be taken seriously.

Assuming T-mobile has a lot of excess capacity, there is zero cost to them from network usage, and interest rates are low enough that offering those with high credit scores zero % financing for two years doesn't cost them much. A few trips where people decide they need extra data pays the interest expenses.

Some people argue this deal is too good to be true. Offering to effectively finance those with high credit scores at 20%+ is too bad to be true, especially given the big deal T-mobile is making out of this.

 

[RUinOhio]

that's all well and good, but until you get a bill you won't know for sure. some rep can tell you anything. I just am not going to risk it. Rep wants to sell me an ipad, so she didn't have to call me to return it, she could have just let me get a bill.

Lots of confusion that could be alleviated by avoiding the brick-and-mortar locations and calling 1-800TMOBILE directly. Just keep calling until you get a representative who is knowledgable or willing to seek out the CORRECT knowledge! I'm gonna repost my experience that I shared earlier in the forum with the hopes that some of you will read and learn from it.

PS. If you know certain pieces of information to be true due to official press releases, etc., then it becomes your responsibility to seek out an informed individual from a company to get you the benefits you know to exist. You can't seriously expect every representative to be on the "up and up" when it comes to blog posts, news forums and CEO tweets. No, instead you have to be the informed one, while simultaneously being the patient one! Try it and I hope you end up with an customer service experience as good as mine!

PSS. And if this ends up all being bunk and a blatant "bait & switch", well then they can expect some serious public backlash and some potential legal ramifications in the near future. However, I don't expect this if we all do our due diligence as consumers.

PSSS. As for the brick-and-mortar locations feeding misinformation; I actually do expect some places to be dodgy and misleading because at the end of the day, this new price model hurts THEIR INDIVIDUAL bottom line (even if it helps the corporation long term). You have to look at things from their perspective and understand that they don't have your best interests in mind. Remember, their jobs are often incentivized by commissions or numbers bonuses. Again, just do your due diligence and seek out what's rightfully being offered, even if it means having to wait a handful of days after ordering on the phone!

Old post:

Best bet is to just call 1-800TMOBILE because I spent time at 2 brick-and-mortar stores today and was fed a bunch of crap about having to have a voice line with T-Mobile or having to pay for the device IN FULL to receive the free data (even worse!).

Instead, I called their customer sales line and the representative was so thorough in explaining every single detail in regards to their installment plan for the iPad Air as well as the 200 MB of complementary data.

In the end, all you have to pay is $67.60 (upfront) for the tax of the device as well as the $10 sim starter kit. When you receive the iPad, you will activate your data account on the cellular management tool directly in the settings and you will be eligible to receive the 200 MB of free data for life with the option to add supplementary data as you go.

Initially, you will be "charged" $10 per month for the on-demand service, but once you activate the 200mb complementary data on the iPad (as stated before) that charge will no longer appear on your monthly bill. All you will end up paying is the $26.25 fee plus the regulatory tax for the device every month.

The process was long on the phone, but it was well worth it since every single angle was covered in terms of information. Plus, you do not get charged the $35 activation fee like you would in the brick-and-mortar stores.

The only downside to ordering on the phone is having to wait for the iPad to ship to you, but I feel like this is such a small concession to guarantee the awesome benefits of T-Mobile's new tablet data plan!

 

[bielen]

200MB and 24 Month Financing

I just called T-Mobile and placed an order for a 16GB iPad Air with the On-Demand service. I tried doing it on the web site, but only the 500MB option is available. I was originally told my bill was going to be $26.25 plus $10.00 a month service.

After I asked about how the On-Demand service worked, the representative put me on hold and came back a few minutes later and said. The $10 fee will not apply. She spoke to someone who confirmed that there is a "nationwide error" going on and if I am billed the $10.00, I should call customer service and they will credit it back. She said "they are still working out some kinks in the system". She specifically stated my bill will be $26.25 per month which I can pay the full cost of the iPad off early at any time. All I had to pay up front was the tax and $10 SIM card.

Hopefully this works out, but I plan on paying it off quickly anyway on my terms so the 200MB will be free anyway after that.

 

[Carlanga]

Lots of confusion that could be alleviated by avoiding the brick-and-mortar locations and calling 1-800TMOBILE directly. Just keep calling until you get a representative who is knowledgable or willing to seek out the CORRECT knowledge!

lol "CORRECT" knowledge or the one that you want to hear as correct.