T-Mobile Introduces $70 Unlimited Data Plan, But HD Video is $25 Extra

[lordofthereef]

If companies are installing infrastructure to scale (which, I realize, is a costly and challenging task), then land area isn't as prohibitive as you make it sound.

But they're constantly forced to update. We are now talking about 5g. It seems as soon as a carrier gets ubiquitous coverage with one technology they have to go on to the next.

I think the point of the matter is it's exponentially more expensive to cover a larger landmass than a smaller one.

Are those costs reflected accurately with what they're charging consumers? I could sit down and figure it out I guess. My understanding is that the margins carriers work under are already pretty thin.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

As a avid fan of T-Mobile, I'm also voicing my disappointment in this latest development. We were the underdog and we all helped make T-Mobile climb to the top of the charts, with all of John Legere's zany antics and announcements throughout the various Uncarrier movements. Nearly every previous one was beneficial or breakthrough, but this is the one is where it can actually crash their winning streak.

Now, granted, most CURRENT subscribers will be smart enough NOT to switch into this plan, as it loses the freedom of LTE tethering and Binge On toggling, but this might actually hurt us in the long run as customers and supporters that might not be able to convince PROSPECTIVE subscribers, whether it be family or friends, to switch into this new, worse plan, and the only plan to be available going forward, resulting in poorer numbers announced at the next quarterly results. I'm not even considering the fact that it's going to be a lot harder to gain those T-Mobile StockUp shares in referrals with this new plan, too.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

As far as I know, they don't do anything to the data but limit its bitrate. You can see this by enabling Binge On and going to fast.com. It'll be 1.5Mbps. Turn Binge On off and the speed will skyrocket to whatever is available in your area.

Interestingly enough, I'm able to pull just shy of 4 Mbps with BingeOn enabled. That's 2.5x more bandwidth than they say they give. Netflix only recommends 5 Mbps for HD streaming, so you'd almost be able to get away with it. I bet if you gave your device a few minutes to build a buffer you could watch HD no prob.

 

[tonyr6]

The average person doesn't know, doesn't care, or can't tell the difference between 480p and 1080p on a smartphone.

I guess all of you are blind then. I can easily tell the difference between 480p and 1080p on any phone screen. Example is the Hulu app on Android does not play in HD anymore a waste of a app and I can easily tell right away washed out colors, pixelated edges and a more blurry picture making it harder to read text. Anyone that says I can't tell needs a eye check.

 

[lordofthereef]

Yeah the unlimited streaming of those services is certainly nice. I've definitely considered tmobile, but their reception is just not good where I am, and even when it's good it's terrible indoors. But now with the elimination of the lower gb plans they don't really seem like a good deal anymore. My suspicion is all those users on the lower data plans used up a ton of the free data and cost them a lot so they had to raise prices by eliminating those plans. They really went backwards against what they claim to stand for and IMO are now just a regular old carrier.

About three years ago I tried T-Mobile and it was unusable, basically as you described. I tried them again almost exactly a year ago and the difference was night and day.

I'd say my experience with ATT was still better, but we are saving $80 a month compared to previous plans and out reception wasn't degraded severely enough to feel ATT was worth the premium.

We just took a cross country road trip (MA to CA and back) and were floored by the network. We had zero problems until Utah. Utah was unbearable. Then great again once we made it to Nevada.

I don't think you're wrong about the statement regarding T-Mobile being a carrier now. But it's important to realize that most of the changes ATT and Verizon have done seem to be in direct response to T-Mobile. St some point T-Mobile will drop their in carrier statements and move on to something else I imagine.

 

[Jsameds]

Uh... no, that seems quite unlikely to me. It's hard to set up a website that streams HD video. It's easy for T-Mobile to monitor the amount of data anyone is using. If they see enough data heading towards you that it could be an HD video, they'll know who it's coming from and be able to talk with either you or them to knock it off, if someone tries setting up a service that gets around this limitation (what're you going to do - stream 9 SD videos all side by side that a specialized iOS app has to then reassemble into one HD video?)

3rd party Youtube client apps can force HD video, like ProTube for example. How can a provider downsize the resolution of what is essentially a 1080p MP4 file to 480p? It's impossible.

The amount of data is irrelevant really, it can easily slip under the radar. Some apps are many GB in size, also firmware updates and such too. HD video for the most part (Regular YouTube videos for example) is smaller than this.

 

[spinedoc77]

About three years ago I tried T-Mobile and it was unusable, basically as you described. I tried them again almost exactly a year ago and the difference was night and day.

I'd say my experience with ATT was still better, but we are saving $80 a month compared to previous plans and out reception wasn't degraded severely enough to feel ATT was worth the premium.

I don't think you're wrong about the statement regarding T-Mobile being a carrier now. But it's important to realize that most of the changes ATT and Verizon have done seem to be in direct response to T-Mobile. St some point T-Mobile will drop their in carrier statements and move on to something else I imagine.

I'm genuinely curious, with the new plans will you still save $80/month? I'm doing the math and I'm actually seeing the plans being almost the same, with tmobile actually being significantly more expensive once you start adding on HD streaming, tethering, etc.

 

[apollo1444]

This is the first time I've ever seen a plan from T-Mobile where I didn't feel like I should immediately switch away from AT&T... limiting my video quality and my tether speed seems like pretty big asterisks to me.

Starting this weekend, I'll be paying $60 per month for 6 GB of data and $20 per line... so $100 for 6 GB of data shared between two lines.

This new T-Mobile plan would cost me $70 for the data + first number, plus $50 for my second line, so $120 for "unlimited" data where my video and tethering is crippled. For an extra $40, I could un-cripple those.

I'm sorry, but what the hell T-Mobile? What's with all these add-on fees? That's a very carrier behavior - what happened to being the un-carrier?

lol i pay 26 bucks for 6gb of 4GLTE tethering and all included also i have unlimited 4glte for facebook, whatsapp, and twitter if the video is uplodead via facebook, it will be free

 

[BeSweeet]

Interestingly enough, I'm able to pull just shy of 4 Mbps with BingeOn enabled. That's 2.5x more bandwidth than they say they give. Netflix only recommends 5 Mbps for HD streaming, so you'd almost be able to get away with it. I bet if you gave your device a few minutes to build a buffer you could watch HD no prob.

View attachment 645462

Interesting... I wonder if fast.com being 1.5Mbps w/Binge On on happens for people on the grandfathered unlimited high-speed data plans. In any case, it's somewhat confusing now, lol.

 

[lordofthereef]

I'm genuinely curious, with the new plans will you still save $80/month? I'm doing the math and I'm actually seeing the plans being almost the same, with tmobile actually being significantly more expensive once you start adding on HD streaming, tethering, etc.

Because of how much data we use streaming, yes. My only option would really be ATT's unlimited plan. Since they don't offer tv where we moved, it's unfortunately not an option. Or if it is (idk if they allow you to pay for tv service if you can't receive it), we'd be paying something like an extra $100 for the privilege of being allowed back on the plan.

In short, the unlimited streaming packages T-Mobile adds are a huge value added for our family.
[doublepost=1471541234][/doublepost]

Interesting... I wonder if fast.com being 1.5Mbps w/Binge On on happens for people on the grandfathered unlimited high-speed data plans. In any case, it's somewhat confusing now, lol.

In st just under 7mbps and am on their 10gb (4 lines for $120) plan.

 

[fourthtunz]

competition is good! i wish we had some in the cable TV market!!!!

Right on! I love T-mobile! My parents will not buy cable and they don't have internet
but they love to watch movies..So I have the binge on 6gig data plan and I connect my iPhone to their tv with hdmi
and we can watch movie on hulu, amazon and youtube!
We don't need cable! I may be wrong but I don't think the big 3 are offering a deal like this?
Go T-mobile!

 

[macosxuser01]

Here's what T-Mobile said when asked about if I could sign up with Simple Choice Plan after 9/6/2016

 

[KPandian1]

I am on a family plan which each line gets 10GB .. . Now that t-mobile one seemed to be taking away tethering at LTE speed from me. Am I allowed to keep my old plan?

The article very clearly states it is for new customers. And, that "Existing customers have the option to keep the Simple Choice plans they have or switch to T-Mobile ONE."

The 10G/line up to 10 lines at $30/line for 4 and $20/line thereafter seems good to hold for now; this was last August's offer!

 

[MrXiro]

I didn't fully comprehend what they were doing until I watched his video... so there will be only 1 plan? Unlimited data and then the add ons are HD and tethering speeds... that is interesting... as most people don't tether.
The pricing isn't "great" compared to what they have going on but the concept is awesome!

My biggest question is though what happens to Binge? There are times I tether my phone to my iPad to watch videos at LTE speeds and Binge covers that. Does it still or is it relegated to 2g speeds now making it useless? If they leave Binge intact with this unlimited plan it's actually not bad at all. The $20 unlimited data for tablets is something I'd want to jump onto as well!

 

[spinedoc77]

Because of how much data we use streaming, yes. My only option would really be ATT's unlimited plan. Since they don't offer tv where we moved, it's unfortunately not an option. Or if it is (idk if they allow you to pay for tv service if you can't receive it), we'd be paying something like an extra $100 for the privilege of being allowed back on the plan.

In short, the unlimited streaming packages T-Mobile adds are a huge value added for our family.
[doublepost=1471541234][/doublepost]
In st just under 7mbps and am on their 10gb (4 lines for $120) plan.

Yeah I can see that being a benefit. If you only used the 10gb then the plans would be exactly the same, $160 on tmobile versus $160 on ATT, that's if you don't care about HD or tethering on Tmobile. But you realize your plan will go up $40/month with this announcement, although I'm sure you can keep your grandfathered plan for a bit, but eventually they will switch you for one reason or another. The "unlimited" data you will be getting is just smoke and mirrors since you already have it with binge on, so $40 more for basically nothing. I don't know if I'd trade HD streaming, tethering and reception for $40/month, no I do know I would not, but that's me.

 

[macosxuser01]

Not sure why everyone is complaining

My buddy has the $95 unlimited plan.
I was going to get that plan when the iPhone 7 comes out.

Now I can get it for $25 cheaper if I don't care about HD video (I don't watch videos on my phone anyways) and if I wanted HD I could spend $25 more and be exactly where I would have from the get go.

This sounds good to me. Can anyone point out a flaw in my logic?

Here's what T-Mobile said when asked about if I could sign up with Simple Choice Plan after 9/6/2016

Also sent them a DM to be clear. It sounds like I should switch over to T-Mobile before 9/6

 

[spinedoc77]

The article very clearly states it is for new customers. And, that "Existing customers have the option to keep the Simple Choice plans they have or switch to T-Mobile ONE."

The 10G/line up to 10 lines at $30/line for 4 and $20/line thereafter seems good to hold for now; this was last August's offer!

They will eventually get you off the older plans. Whether through incentives, when you get a new phone, etc. This is clearly a move to get rid of the lower data plans where consumers use a lot of binge on. But yeah you can enjoy it for a while, maybe a couple of years even, but for everyone else those plans will be gone.

 

[busyscott]

I'll stick with my $120 4 lines with 10GB each with Rollover data. With Binge On, I am only using 3-4 GB per month with HEAVY Youtube usage.

Same plan here. I love it. T-mobile is great, this unlimited looks like it would be great for a big family with teenagers though.

 

[spinedoc77]

I didn't fully comprehend what they were doing until I watched his video... so there will be only 1 plan? Unlimited data and then the add ons are HD and tethering speeds... that is interesting... as most people don't tether.
The pricing isn't "great" compared to what they have going on but the concept is awesome!

My biggest question is though what happens to Binge? There are times I tether my phone to my iPad to watch videos at LTE speeds and Binge covers that. Does it still or is it relegated to 2g speeds now making it useless? If they leave Binge intact with this unlimited plan it's actually not bad at all. The $20 unlimited data for tablets is something I'd want to jump onto as well!

480p max for video unless you pay $25/per line, but it was limited on Binge as well so you won't notice a difference. WHere do you see $20 unlimited for tablet?

 

[JohnApples]

Dang, this seems like a step back for T-Mobile. This plan would cost the same as mine (6GB with rollover, LTE tethering, and binge on) and I'd gain unlimited data, but I'd lose the option to watch HD and have my tethering downgraded tenfold.

It's not too bad since they're obviously not forcing me to switch, but lately their new plans have been better than the previous.

 

[Dominicanyor]

Before we know it AT&T will come out with unlimited data as well. Without getting direct tv!!

 

[Pjrufus]

I currently pay T-mo $80/mo. for 2 lines, plus $10 for iPad (plus fees.) The new plan would be $120 plus $20 for iPad, $50 more.

Anyone with a current plan, thinking of adding a tablet, do it before 9/6.

 

[CarlJ]

competition is good! i wish we had some in the cable TV market!!!!

Fortunately, cable TV is easier to do without: options abound for the cord cutter - not that give you 1-to-1 parity with what cable offered (did you really need all 200 channels? QVC? Home Shopping Network? the Monkeys Playing Miniature Golf Network?), but then you won't be paying anything like what you did for cable, either... it takes a bit of reexamining just what it is you want out of TV. I found I could get about 90% of what I wanted from cable, for about 1/10th the price, from Hulu, and decided I could live without the other 10%.

The mobile data market (what used to be the cellphone market, but it isn't really that any more) is slowly being shaken up by competition. The cable TV market is too well prepared against change, their hooks in local markets are too deep (the "last mile" monopolies give them a huge advantage - most places you don't have a choice of cable providers) for competition from rival companies to affect them much. But where they won't suffer from competition, they will suffer from abandonment.
[doublepost=1471543642][/doublepost]

These plans are requiring pencil and paper to figure out.

What are these strange things of which you speak, "pencil" and "paper". We know naught of those here! Begone, sorcerer!

 

[aristobrat]

The limitations make no sense., restricted to 480p? How are they going to do that? Are they going to analyze traffic and perform on the fly transcoding for all video, oh please, get real!

More like analyzing the traffic and throttling it back if it's video. The provider of the video (Netflix, HBO GO, whomever) then slows it down (i.e. reduces the quality)... T-Mobile doesn't have to transcode it.

They've been doing this since last year with their Binge On option.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/...-bingeon-optimization-just-throttling-applies

 

[spinedoc77]

Before we know it AT&T will come out with unlimited data as well. Without getting direct tv!!

I doubt it, they and Verizon are probably quite pleased with Tmobiles announcement. I do appreciate all that Tmobile did to bring the cellular industry forward, they did a lot, but this goes backwards a bit and won't entice the other carriers to do anything.