Mobile Carriers T-Mobile and AT&T both made changes to their Simple Choice and Mobile Share Value plans this weekend. The new plans represent additional value for lower end customers while unlimited got a little more expensive at T-Mobile. Now, let’s take a look at the changes.
T-Mobile
You didn’t think T-Mobile could go a couple months without tinkering with their own plans did you? T-Mobile has altered the deal once again with their Simple Choice plans. The base simple choice plan, which starts at $50 per month, has had its data allotment doubled from 500MB to 1GB. Your 2nd line is $20 and lines 3-5 are $10 extra per line. The $10 upgrade also gains 500MB extra to 3GB. The $20 upgrade is now where it gets a bit different. It no longer has unlimited LTE data, which is replaced by 5GB of LTE data, but the tethering data matches the cap. Lastly, there is a new $30 Unlimited upgrade with unlimited 2G and 4G data and 5GB of tethering. On the international side, they have matched other carriers in free stateside texting to international numbers and increased the the global data & text program by a further 7 locations.
Source: T-Mobile
AT&T
AT&T made an announcement as well. Its 2GB Mobile Share Value Plan is now $65 a month for a single line and $90 for 2 lines. That represents a $15 savings over previous pricing. However, do remember that these plans are no contract. Users must either buy their own device or sign up for AT&T’s Next upgrade plan. Customers with AT&T on-contract Mobile Share plans will not see the savings. AT&T is also now offering 50GB of cloud storage. That’s double the 25GB free that Verizon now offers with their new More Everything plans
Source: AT&T
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T-Mobile Release
T-Mobile Doubles Down on Flagship Simple Choice Plan with More 4G LTE Data, Tethering – and Unlimited International Texting
Un-carrier’s Flagship $50 Simple Choice Plan with Unlimited Data, Talk and Text Now With Double the 4G LTE Data, Double the 4G LTE Tethering, More Roaming Countries, and Unlimited International Texting To Virtually Anywhere – All at No Extra Charge
BELLEVUE, Wash. – March 7, 2014 – In another industry first, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) today announced the company is offering customers more 4G LTE data and tethering and unlimited international texting – at no extra charge. The updates reflect the latest stage in the evolution of T-Mobile’s flagship Simple Choice plan, which launched the company’s Un-carrier consumer movement last spring. All Simple Choice customers will automatically enjoy the added benefits of these updates without taking any action whatsoever – in another Un-carrier departure from industry norms.
First, in a move to stay out front of Americans’ fast-growing demand for mobile data, the company announced it is sweetening the deal for Simple Choice customers already enjoying unlimited data, talk, and text on America’s wicked-fast network – now doubling the amount of high-speed 4G LTE data and tethering to 1GB included in the $50 Simple Choice service plan.
“In the mobile age, wireless data caps and overage fees are just this side of extortion,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “Take the basic plans from the Big Two with ridiculously low data limits that hit you with fat overages each month. It’s like getting your data from the neighborhood loan shark and paying 100 percent interest when the bill comes due. It’s the classic shakedown.”
The expansion of Simple Choice to include more of T-Mobile’s fastest data and tethering comes as wireless data usage – and tethering laptops and tablets to the web via connected devices – continues to surge. T-Mobile customers use nearly 50 percent more data now than they did just a year ago when Simple Choice first launched, outpacing the industry’s growth rate in mobile data usage. And monthly usage on unlimited 4G LTE plans has nearly doubled to over 5GB.
With these updates, Simple Choice customers still start with one line at $50 per month for unlimited data, talk and text on our nationwide network – but will now get a full 1GB of 4G LTE data and tethering – double the previous amounts. Customers can still add a second line for $30 per month and up to three additional lines for $10 per month. Those additional lines also get the extra 4G LTE data with these changes.
As before, Simple Choice customers can always add more 4G LTE data to each of their lines. They can opt for 3GB of 4G LTE data, including tethering, for an additional $10 a month per line (vs. 2.5 GB previously), or 5GB for an extra $20 a month per line. There is a new unlimited 4G LTE option, which now comes with a full 5 GB of tethering, double the previous amount, for an extra $30 per month (vs. an extra $20 previously).
Second, with the new global texting benefits from the U.S. now included in Simple Choice, T-Mobile is the only US wireless carrier to deliver unlimited international texting to virtually anywhere – now from the United States and over 120 countries and destinations around the world – at no extra charge. Unlike with competitors, there is no need to purchase an additional package or special plan to get unlimited global texting and data. It comes automatically with every Simple Choice plan.
And, customers can roam freely in more places. T-Mobile is adding seven additional countries and destinations where postpaid Simple Choice customers enjoy unlimited data and texting while traveling – and low, flat-rate calls for just 20 cents a minute, bringing the total to 122 countries and destinations.
The new benefits will begin immediately on March 23 for customers who choose to run credit and take the postpaid option. For those who prefer not to run credit and opt for prepaid service, unlimited international texting will start on April 26.
Simple Choice customers will automatically get the added benefits of these program updates, so there is no need for existing customers to change anything about their current services or plans. Customers currently with unlimited 4G LTE data will continue to get unlimited 4G LTE data with no change in price, or they can opt for the new unlimited 4G LTE option with twice the tethering.
“In a couple weeks, every single one of our millions of Simple Choice customers will wake up with more value without lifting a finger,” said Mike Sievert, Chief Marketing Officer for T-Mobile. “Who does that? We do. Because that’s what being the Un-carrier means – giving more to you without asking more from you. I’d love to see our competitors try to follow suit.”
Simple Choice Plan Then & Now
Roaming and on-network data allotments differ. Capable device required for LTE; coverage not available in some areas. Stateside international text messages must originate on T-Mobile’s U.S. network. International Roaming: Postpaid Simple Choice plan with qualifying credit and capable device required. Standard speeds approx. 128 Kbps; no tethering.About T-Mobile US, Inc.:
As America’s Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: “TMUS”) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The company’s advanced nationwide 4G and expanding 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It currently serves approximately 46.7 million wireless subscribers and provides products and services through 70,000 points of distribution. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
AT&T Release
AT&T Offers Its Best-Ever Pricing for Individual and Two Line Accounts on Nation’s Most Reliable 4G LTE Network
DALLAS, Texas, March 8, 2014 — Last month, AT&T1 (NYSE:T) announced its best-ever pricing plans for families and small businesses and great international offers.2 Beginning Sunday, AT&T will extend savings to customers with one and two lines with the introduction of a new lower priced 2GB Mobile Share Value plan starting at $65 a month, which is $15 off the current 2GB plan for one smartphone with no annual service contract.
New and existing AT&T consumer and business customers will see great value in this plan, which includes domestic unlimited talk and text, as well as unlimited international messaging from the U.S. to select countries2– all on AT&T’s award-winning 4G LTE network. AT&T customers with a compatible device may also sign up for 50GB of cloud storage at no additional charge.4
Here’s how it works for plans with smartphone lines on an installment agreement or with no annual service contract. Device costs and other fees also apply:
Monthly Service Cost
1- $65
2- $90
Monthly Service CostWhat You Get
2GB of Data + Unlimited Talk & Text + 50GB Cloud Storage + Unlimited International MessagingNeed more than 2 lines? Our Mobile Share Value Plans for families and businesses start at $145 for 10GB of data and 3 smartphone lines with no annual service contracts.
Additionally, AT&T recently added unlimited international messaging (text, picture and video) to all Mobile Share Value plans for no additional cost. Unlimited international messaging includes messages sent from the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands to more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture & video messages.
With Mobile Share Value plans, eligible customers can choose to purchase a phone with an AT&T NextSM installment agreement with no annual service contract and no down payment. And with AT&T NextSM, qualified customers can get a new smartphone every year. Visit a store or att.com/next for plan details and conditions. Mobile Share Value plan customers can additionally bring their own device or purchase a phone at full retail price. Customers may also choose from a larger amount of data if needed.
“We’re continuing the trend of offering more value to our new and existing customers. Not only are families and small businesses able to save more on their monthly data plans, we’re now delivering that same great value to individual customers on the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. “We’re delivering more savings for customers across the board – backed by award-winning customer service – with AT&T the value keeps getting better.”
With 50GB of cloud storage from AT&T Locker, customers can keep more than 30,000 pictures safe and secure in the network and access them across multiple connected devices. With AT&T Locker’s cloud storage, customers can store photos, videos, music and documents.
And, for a limited time, all new and existing AT&T customers receive a $100 bill credit for each new qualified line of postpaid wireless service added – whether a smartphone, tablet, feature phone, mobile hotspot or AT&T Wireless Home Phone.5
To complement these great new plans, AT&T offers customers award-winning customer service. The company recently outperformed competitors for the second time in a row in studies measuring customer service and the wireless purchase experience. J.D. Power awarded AT&T the “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance Among Full-Service Wireless Providers” and “Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-Service Wireless Providers” in their 2014, Volume 1 studies.6
Customers can learn more about the new plans and determine which plan is best for them from their myAT&T mobile application or by visiting www.att.com/moremobilesharesavings, or, for small businesses at att.com/bizmobileshare.
1. AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
2. Comparison excludes Corporate Responsibility User/Individual Responsibility User accounts.
3. Unlimited Messaging applies only to AT&T’s Short Messaging Service and Multimedia Messaging Service. Other messaging may incur data charges. Service restrictions apply. Visit att.com/text2world for plan details.
4. Usage from wireless device may consume data. US based customers only. Storage amounts subject to change or discontinuance. For terms, see att.com/wirelesslegal. Data rates apply.
5. Offer ends 3/31/14. GoPhone®, Machine-to-Machine, Enterprise on Demand & activations on BusinessConnect plans not included. Must keep svc/ good standing for 45 days. Credit rec’d w/in 3 bill cycles. Activation/early termination/other fees and restr. apply. Visit att.com/100credit for full requirements.
6. AT&T received the highest numerical score among full service wireless providers in the proprietary J.D. Power 2013 (Vol. 2) and 2014 (Vol. 1) Wireless Customer Care Full Service and Full Service Wireless Purchase Experience Studies SM. Study based on 7,195 (Customer Care) and 8,525 (Purchase Experience) consumer responses measuring 4 full service wireless providers and measures opinions of consumers who purchased a wireless product or service within last 6 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed July-December 2013. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
LTE Reliability claim: Based on independent 3d-party data for nationwide 4G LTE networks. Lt’d 4G LTE avail.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
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