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T-Mobile CEO Misleads on 'No Strings Attached' Free Data, New Customers Require $20 Data Plan to Finance iPads

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Contrary to T-Mobile CEO John Legere's assurances that all customers would get 200MB of free monthly iPad data with "no exceptions" and "no strings attached", new T-Mobile customers who wish to take advantage of the carrier's 0-percent financing offer on the iPad will be required to sign up for a $20/month 500MB data plan in order to get an additional 200MB of monthly data "free".

Last week there was some confusion around T-Mobile's so-called "uncarrier" plan. Legere claimed via Twitter that "everyone" would get 200MB of free monthly iPad data, but CNET's Roger Cheng discovered otherwise.

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T-Mobile clarified to CNET that new customers who want to take advantage of T-Mobile's no-money-down plan are required to sign up for a $20-a-month plan.

Unlike the On Demand plan, which was simply a fee for staying on T-Mobile's network, the $20 plan does provide for an additional 500MB of data at its 4G LTE speed. The 200MB of data is "free," but doesn't kick in until after you sign up.

Existing T-Mobile customers with a phone plan can access the 200MB of free data without signing up for additional plans. New customers who paid full price for their iPad Air or any other tablet will be able to get the 200MB data plan for free. Or customers can bring in their own T-Mobile-compatible tablets.
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While many customers will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile's 200MB/month offer for no charge, there are some exceptions. Customers who do not have an existing monthly voice account with T-Mobile that wish to purchase an iPad with T-Mobile's financing plan will need to purchase a $20-per-month 500MB data plan, and will receive an additional 200MB of data for free.

iPad owners that purchase an iPad elsewhere and bring it to T-Mobile -- or buy an iPad from T-Mobiile at full price -- or that have an existing voice account with the company and finance the iPad, can receive the 200MB data plan for free.

AT&T, for its part, offers similar zero-down and zero-percent financing on iPads to its customers through its AT&T Next program with standalone data plans, session-based on-demand data plans, or a $10/month addition to its Mobile Share plans. It does not offer free data, however.

Article Link: T-Mobile CEO Misleads on 'No Strings Attached' Free Data, New Customers Require $20 Data Plan to Finance iPads
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/04/t-mobile-ceo-misleads-on-no-strings-attached-free-data-new-customers-require-20-data-plan-to-finance-ipads/
he should be sued personally for lying to get new customers. isnt that a clear case of fraud?
 
What the **** T-Mobile?

This back and forth is worse than had they done nothing at all.
 
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wow the PR nightmare from this is going to be insane. I'm sure lots of people have already bought the tmobile iPad for this reason
 
Can't imagine Apple would be too happy about this either? Now Apple's website is incredibly misleading when going to purchase a T-Mobile iPad.

Edit: It's not, since Apple is selling it for full price. Whoops!
 
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That's some leadership team they've got over there at T-Mobile. Either they're incredibly incompetent, or they're outright scoundrels trying to sucker people in. They lose either way in my book. I've always steered clear of them for their unreliable network with poor coverage and slow speeds. You get what you pay for. Or don't pay for? I'm so confused.
 
Okay, let's be real here. If you have to finance an iPad, you shouldn't be buying one.
 
This is just a huge headache. I bought a T-Mobile iPad from Apple (after 3 years of Wi-Fi only iPads) because I thought it would be a simple 200MB that is always available until you exceed at which point, you'd have to pay. It turns out you have to call/go to the store every month to activate it or something. Trading my T-Mobile Air in for a wifi iPad like I've always had and just forgetting about this hassle. Shame on these guys, if you say it's going to be free then make it free -- not "hey, how bout you jump over a couple of hoops and then it's free".
 
Edit: A couple people have corrected me that the free 200 MB plan is still available when paying full price. I didn't read the article closely enough and don't mean to cause any confusion.
 

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The way in which this got communicated is kind of a shame, but the reality is that it's still a pretty nice deal they're offering.

No money down and 0% interest to finance an iPad, so long as you commit to $20 a month for 700MB fast data and unlimited slow data, is quite reasonable compared to the offers of other carriers.
 
I don't understand what is misleading about this? Yes, the 200mb is still free for whoever. No, they aren't going to give you free financing and free data. You either buy the iPad straight up, or you pay for monthly access. It's called business.
 
I went to the T-Mobile store on Saturday to try, no joy and very embarrassed faces

They are all shady
 
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