Carrier T-Mobile to start paying AT&T, Verizon & Sprint early termination fee on Jan 15 2014

[parseckadet]

TMo in my current location
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And yet that's BETTER service than I get from AT&T in my location. Given your logic, I could make all the same claims you make against T-Mobile against AT&T. Do you see the error of your logic here?

And for what it's worth, I typically get 30+Mbps from T-Mobile in the same exact spot. T-Mobile won't work for everyone, but it works great for lots of people. The same can be said of any carrier. Why do you have such a problem accepting that?

 

[Tiger8]

I wonder how they'll be able to keep customers from abusing this system.

Since there is no contract, one could basically port out to TMobile, get their ETF paid, keep the crappy service for a month, and then port right back to AT&T/VZW using the same phone and not have a contract.

This sounds like a sure fire way to loose a lot of money FAST. I guess they're setting themselves up for a Softbank takeover?

You are missing the fineprint, that the entire balance on the phone is due as soon as the T-Mo service is terminated. So if your example above, once the person ports to TMo, keeps the 'crappy' service for a month, and then port back to AT&T, the entire balance on the TMo iPhone is due immediately, so yea, if they want to port back to AT&T, T-Mo won't loose any money

 

[2298754]

You are missing the fineprint, that the entire balance on the phone is due as soon as the T-Mo service is terminated. So if your example above, once the person ports to TMo, keeps the 'crappy' service for a month, and then port back to AT&T, the entire balance on the TMo iPhone is due immediately, so yea, if they want to port back to AT&T, T-Mo won't loose any money

This has been clarified multiple times. No need to rehash it over and over again.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

BTW guys, they're doing it NOW. Not full ETF, but I got a pretty nice credit on my account to dump Verizon (kept my 5s, so no trade-in).

 

[jamezr]

BTW guys, they're doing it NOW. Not full ETF, but I got a pretty nice credit on my account to dump Verizon (kept my 5s, so no trade-in).

hmmmm....that is tempting me to port 2 IP5s and an iPad 4

 

[parseckadet]

BTW guys, they're doing it NOW. Not full ETF, but I got a pretty nice credit on my account to dump Verizon (kept my 5s, so no trade-in).

Interesting. That was not the case when I asked in October.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Interesting. That was not the case when I asked in October.

The guy called up his boss and they talked for a little while about it. You have to qualify for it (credit check, etc).

 

[EbookReader]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57616462-94/t-mobile-ceo-hints-at-family-plan-disruption-in-2014/
T-Mobile CEO hints at family plan disruption in 2014
T-Mobile USA may soon offer family plan consumers an incentive to ditch their current providers for T-Mobile as part of its "UnCarrier 4.0" strategy, according to a tweet from CEO John Legere.

 

[EbookReader]

T-Mobile CEO

“This is a desperate move by AT&T on the heels of what must have been a terrible Q4 and holiday for them,” Legere said in an email to Re/code. “Consumers won’t be fooled. … Nothing has changed, customers will still feel the same old pain that AT&T is famous for. Just wait until CES to hear what pain points we are eliminating next. The competition is going to be toast!”

“We used AT&T’s cash to build a far superior network and added ‘un-carrier’ moves to take tons of their customers – and now they want to bribe them back,” Legere said. “I’m flattered that we have made them so uncomfortable!”

 

[EbookReader]

http://www.droid-life.com/2014/01/07/t-mobile-ads-confirm-uncarrier-4-plans-pay-etfs-for-families/
T-Mobile Ads Confirm UnCarrier 4 Plans: Pay ETFs for Families Who Transfer

Qual’g service & device purchase with port-in from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint req’d. Up to 5 lines.” In other words, T-Mobile will pay Early Termination Fees (ETF) from your previous carrier, as long as you trade-in your current phones and then sign-up for service, plus purchase a new device.




http://www.zdnet.com/leaked-ad-poin...ermination-fees-to-switch-service-7000024925/

Under the terms of the deal, according to the mobile publication, up to five lines can be traded in with the early termination fees covered. This includes all devices — including hotspots and mobile phones — tied to a particular contract.

That leaves the customer without any devices to speak of. Deviceless new customers will be allowed to buy devices from T-Mobile's own range, but will not be able to bring-their-own-device akin to other schemes.

 

[Apfpilot]

I'm more interested in using this as leverage with AT&T. It worked with Uverse threatening a move to Comcast, any ideas if it would work with Wireless retentions?

 

[PsstGreek]

I'm more interested in using this as leverage with AT&T. It worked with Uverse threatening a move to Comcast, any ideas if it would work with Wireless retentions?

Only one way to find out.

 

[mattwallace24]

http://www.droid-life.com/2014/01/07/t-mobile-ads-confirm-uncarrier-4-plans-pay-etfs-for-families/
T-Mobile Ads Confirm UnCarrier 4 Plans: Pay ETFs for Families Who Transfer

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Qual’g service & device purchase with port-in from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint req’d. Up to 5 lines.” In other words, T-Mobile will pay Early Termination Fees (ETF) from your previous carrier, as long as you trade-in your current phones and then sign-up for service, plus purchase a new device.




http://www.zdnet.com/leaked-ad-poin...ermination-fees-to-switch-service-7000024925/

Doesn't work for me. I just bought a 5S and can't see myself turning it in just to buy a new 5S from T-Mobile at full price. T-Mobile must be funding this promotion via their margins on new devices bought at full price.

 

[Farplaner]

Doesn't work for me. I just bought a 5S and can't see myself turning it in just to buy a new 5S from T-Mobile at full price. T-Mobile must be funding this promotion via their margins on new devices bought at full price.

I agree. I want to switch, but since they require you to turn in your device and buy a new phone from them, it doesn't work for me.

 

[NoCleverSNForMe]

I want to switch and stay with them so bad. I want to be part of the Uncarrier movement. I've switched in 2012, then again in late 2013.

What's my challenge? The service. What is the point of cheap cell phone service with unlimited data and no contracts when I can't get any data or make any calls?

I live in Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of Washington DC (literally 2 minutes outside the city). I get no service in my apartment, many restaurants, bars, etc. They are excellent outside, but when you go inside buildings, it's as if their signal can't penetrate through the walls in our area.

If you go 30 minutes outside the city, the service drops down to Edge (2G). Seriously? In 2014?

I love T-Mobile as a company and want to support them. I really hope their $3 billion spectrum purchase from Verizon will help them with their ****** coverage, even in major cities. I hope this is a different conversation in 2016.

I'll be standing in sidelines cheering for you, T-Mobile. For now, I'll have to pay a premium price for premium service.

 

[jamezr]

So i went to an T-Mobile store tonight to ask about them paying the ETF. They said it will officially start tomorrow the 9th. They will pay your EFT fees from Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. They require a purchase of new phones or devices from t-Mobile. But they will also buy your old phone from you upto
$300. So if you have a very short time left on your contract then this makes no sense for you. You can seek your old devices and make as much or more than your ETF and purchase of your old device from T-Mobile.
But if you are like me. I have 2 new iPhone 5s and a iPad so they would pay my EFT fees which is about $300 times 3 and give me $300 times 3 for my old devices…i would make money on the switch. Plus i can pay off the new T-Mobile devices at anytime and my bill would go down. My bill for AT&T will never go down…...

 

[mattwallace24]

I have 2 new iPhone 5s and a iPad so they would pay my EFT fees which is about $300 times 3 and give me $300 times 3 for my old devices…i would make money on the switch. Plus i can pay off the new T-Mobile devices at anytime and my bill would go down. My bill for AT&T will never go down…...

I don't get this. So they give you $900 for your old devices and then you buy new 5S's at $649/each and the iPad at $xxx. How are you making money?

 

[2298754]

I don't get this. So they give you $900 for your old devices and then you buy new 5S's at $649/each and the iPad at $xxx. How are you making money?

Bingo. It's cheaper to pay off the ETF yourself, keep all your iPhones, and then go to T-Mobile.

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$282 for a 16gb iPhone 5S on trade-in towards their ETF offer? It's worth double that.

Selling an iPhone 5S nets you almost enough money to cover 2 lines' ETF ( avg $300 each). If you have popular devices like some newer Galaxy phones or iPhones, you might net some more money in your pocket, and then switch.

What a joke. Complete ripoff offer.

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quick math:

I have three lines on my plan.

Line 1: iPhone 5S 16gb ETF: $325-$20 (2 months)
Line 2: iPhone 5 ETF: $325-$150 (15 months on contract)
Line 3: iPhone 5S 16gb ETF: $325-$20 (2 months)

Total ETF: $785

I can sell unlock all three and sell the 5S each for $550-600. 5 for $400-450.

550(2) + 400 = $1,500 - $785 ETF paid: $715 profit made

T-Mobile offer: no profit. They make profit off of us. They don't care about the customer. They're just as bad as AT&T/VZW.

 

[jamezr]

I don't get this. So they give you $900 for your old devices and then you buy new 5S's at $649/each and the iPad at $xxx. How are you making money?

in my case they would pay $900 in eft fees alone…then $900 for the devices. If i go the repayment (EIP) plan then there is no out of pocket for me to switch to T-Mobile. So in effect they are paying me $600 to $650 per line/device i am porting over to them. I can pay the devices off early and have my bill go down as well.

 

[mattwallace24]

in my case they would pay $900 in eft fees alone…then $900 for the devices. If i go the repayment (EIP) plan then there is no out of pocket for me to switch to T-Mobile

Ok, I get that, but one still has to factor in the price of the new phones into the total cost outlay. Sooner or later you owe t-Mobile $1,947 for the three new phones. Whether or not you pay it upfront or over time, it is still a real cost to the consumer.

 

[TheCollector]

The response AT&T gave me: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1694141/

 

[jamezr]

Ok, I get that, but one still has to factor in the price of the new phones into the total cost outlay. Sooner or later you owe t-Mobile $1,947 for the three new phones. Whether or not you pay it upfront or over time, it is still a real cost to the consumer.

I know the total cost of the devices is really about even. But then you add the price of the plan is cheaper and you get unlimited data.

 

[Frost17]

This promotion really has me on the fence.

I currently own 3 lines on ATT all smartphones paying a hair over $200 a month. If I switch to T-Mo I'll be roughly $110 a month for similar services/features. I have never had any experience with T-mo's coverage area and data speeds though. The coverage map indicates that I'll have "excellent" coverage of data in my city. I've been a ATT customer for so long, I really do not want to lose data speeds as they are the most important to me. However, reading the presentation by T-mobile today it seems that they are faster than ATT?

Is the savings of ~$90 a month worth it? Especially with the ETF special deal going on?

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[jamezr]

The response AT&T gave me: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1694141/

Awesome I might try this tomorrow. My only reason for leaving AT&T would be to save money for their cheaper plans and get unlimited data.

 

[CEmajr]

This promotion really has me on the fence.

I currently own 3 lines on ATT all smartphones paying a hair over $200 a month. If I switch to T-Mo I'll be roughly $110 a month for similar services/features. I have never had any experience with T-mo's coverage area and data speeds though. The coverage map indicates that I'll have "excellent" coverage of data in my city. I've been a ATT customer for so long, I really do not want to lose data speeds as they are the most important to me. However, reading the presentation by T-mobile today it seems that they are faster than ATT?

Is the savings of ~$90 a month worth it? Especially with the ETF special deal going on?

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

If you are indeed in their "excellent" coverage area then the savings are well worth it. I would say T-Mobile is the best option for anyone as long as you are in a good coverage area. I would only suggest AT&T or Verizon to those who are in areas that T-mobile has poor or no coverage.