T-Mobile Increasing SMS Rates, Follows Others in the Industry

[Kris Kumar]

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/MessagingDisclaimer.aspx

"On June 1, 2007, the charge to send a picture, video, or multimedia message (MMS) to a US wireless number from the US or Canada, and the charge to receive an MMS message from a US wireless number while you are in the US or Canada, will decrease from 25¢ to 15¢ per message.* The same day, the charge (a) to send a text or instant message (SMS) to a US wireless number from the US or Canada, and (b) to receive an SMS message (including a scheduled alert) from within or outside the US while you are in the US or Canada, will increase from 10¢ to 15¢ per message.* If you subscribe to a monthly messaging bundle, then each of these rate changes will apply to MMS and SMS messages in excess of your monthly allotment.** All per-message and messaging bundle charges are subject to applicable taxes."



T-Mobile is making it tough for its customers to stick to the T-Mobile network. Recently it had started restricting the access to its lower priced data plans. Now it is following the other carriers, and raising the SMS rates. T-Mobile used to be a network that offered cost benefits, compared to its competitors, for every billable mobile feature. Not anymore, it seems like they are now on par with Cingular and Sprint when it comes to their rates. What are your thoughts?

Update: I would like to clarify that T-Mobile has not changed the data plan features, but they have started enforcing the restrictions in accordance with the data plan features.

[Kris Kumar]

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/MessagingDisclaimer.aspx

"On June 1, 2007, the charge to send a picture, video, or multimedia message (MMS) to a US wireless number from the US or Canada, and the charge to receive an MMS message from a US wireless number while you are in the US or Canada, will decrease from 25¢ to 15¢ per message.* The same day, the charge (a) to send a text or instant message (SMS) to a US wireless number from the US or Canada, and (b) to receive an SMS message (including a scheduled alert) from within or outside the US while you are in the US or Canada, will increase from 10¢ to 15¢ per message.* If you subscribe to a monthly messaging bundle, then each of these rate changes will apply to MMS and SMS messages in excess of your monthly allotment.** All per-message and messaging bundle charges are subject to applicable taxes."



T-Mobile is making it tough for its customers to stick to the T-Mobile network. Recently it had started restricting the access to its lower priced data plans. Now it is following the other carriers, and raising the SMS rates. T-Mobile used to be a network that offered cost benefits, compared to its competitors, for every billable mobile feature. Not anymore, it seems like they are now on par with Cingular and Sprint when it comes to their rates. What are your thoughts?

Update: I would like to clarify that T-Mobile has not changed the data plan features, but they have started enforcing the restrictions in accordance with the data plan features.

[chaznet]

You mentioned that T-Mobile was 'restricting access to its lower priced data plan'. Kind of misleading, sounds like they've implemented a metered plan or something.

It would have been more accurate to say that they've started enforcing levels of service based on the plan you're paying for. Previous to this 'restriction', you could pay for limited-access T-Zone service for around $5 per month, but jury-rig your device to utilize their Total-Internet plan, priced around $20.

They haven't changed their pricing, just enforced it.

[Kris Kumar]

Originally Posted by chaznet

You mentioned that T-Mobile was 'restricting access to its lower priced data plan'. Kind of misleading, sounds like they've implemented a metered plan or something.

It would have been more accurate to say that they've started enforcing levels of service based on the plan you're paying for.

Absolutely correct. I should have used the word enforcing. Wish the word had come to my mind when I was writing the post.

It is funny, in my last post on this topic I was taking the same stand that you have mentioned. I was saying that T-Mobile has finally started shutting down the loophole, wish I had used the word enforcing back then as well. But the reason why I am bringing it up is that I received a lot of flak for saying that or for seeing the T-Mobile's actions in the correct light. So this whole restricting or enforcing is a matter of perception.

But I am going to correct the front page post to use the right word. Thanks for pointing it out. I agree with your statement.

[vincenzosi]

As far as value goes, they did lower MMS prices, so it's more of a give and take. Frankly, when it comes to rate plans, T-Mobile is still way more reasonable than other carriers, not to mention their plans themselves are much cheaper, so merely changing the price of an SMS doesn't really represent a change in the value of T-Mobile overall...

Just sayin...

[chaznet]

My only gripe with their pricing is that you have to pay $15 for HotSpot, and $15 for Internet for a total of $30 -- you can only get them as a bundle, no ala carte availability. I have no need for HotSpot use... Wish there was a way to not have all the overhead of HotSpot software autoloading on my Dash when it boots up .. :roll:

[djdj]

Originally Posted by chaznet

My only gripe with their pricing is that you have to pay $15 for HotSpot, and $15 for Internet for a total of $30 -- you can only get them as a bundle, no ala carte availability. I have no need for HotSpot use... Wish there was a way to not have all the overhead of HotSpot software autoloading on my Dash when it boots up .. :roll:

Their internet has always been $20, I'm not sure where you saw the $15 figure.

You can still get it... they now call it the Blackberry plan. Go to T-Mobile.com, change your device to one of the Blackberries that supports Internet, and the $20 Internet plan should then be available. After adding it you are free to change your device back to what you really have.

[sub_tex]

Originally Posted by chaznet

Wish there was a way to not have all the overhead of HotSpot software autoloading on my Dash when it boots up .. :roll:

I have a Dash and don't have ANY autoloading hotspot apps starting when my Dash boots up.

What are you referring to?

[chaznet]

It's there -- doesn't show up in Task Manager, but always present. Next time you're at a Starbucks or Kinkos, turn on your WiFi -- the Dash'll do a whole lot more than tell you an access point is present, it will pull up the HotSpot service login screen. It's why the Dash can never seem to have as much free RAM as the S620...

Originally Posted by sub_tex

I have a Dash and don't have ANY autoloading hotspot apps starting when my Dash boots up.

What are you referring to?

[chaznet]

Wow... learn something new every day, you just saved me some money

Originally Posted by djdj

You can still get it... they now call it the Blackberry plan. Go to T-Mobile.com, change your device to one of the Blackberries that supports Internet, and the $20 Internet plan should then be available. After adding it you are free to change your device back to what you really have.

[AdamaDBrown]

Originally Posted by djdj

Their internet has always been $20, I'm not sure where you saw the $15 figure.

T-Mobile's standard "Total Internet" plan, the one they try to sell all new smartphones with, is $30 per month: $15 for unlimited cellular, $15 for T-Mo hotspots.