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

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/MessagingDisclaimer.aspx' target='_blank'>http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/MessagingDisclaimer.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><i>"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."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/tmosticktogether.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />T-Mobile is making it tough for its customers to <i>stick</i> to the T-Mobile network. Recently it had started <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13727">restricting</a> 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?<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> I would like to clarify that T-Mobile has not changed the data plan features, but they have started <i>enforcing the restrictions</i> 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]

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 (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=85517#85517) 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]

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]

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...


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]

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

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]

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.

[AdamaDBrown]

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.

[chaznet]

...not only do they try to sell it to you, they told me it was the only way I could get the internet service, that it wasn't available ala carte without HotSpot. Didn't realize you could get it for different phone types, wasn't a service choice when I had 'SDA' or 'DASH' selected as my phone.

I went to the site and changed my phone type to a Blackberry, and saw a 'Blackberry Unlimited AddOn' choice, which I selected. I'm assuming this is what the poster was referring to, though the name of the service makes me wonder if the settings are the same for my Dash, guess I'll find out.

Also, I suspect this'll be like the TZones thing, and at some point will only work if you're using a Blackberry.

[Mark Larson]

The Blackberry thing is just a hack - you're still skating on thin ice, and anyone who signs up thinking that the unlimited data is $20 is going to find themselves booted off in the future.

Sure, you can say that the $20 plan is for internet, but then so is the $6 plan. And if I'm going to violate the TOS anyway, I'm going to do it with the $6 plan, thankyouverymuch. :twisted:

But anyway, I unstuck myself from T-Mobile and am with Sprint now.

[chaznet]

If you're even able to hack TZones into full access on your device, great -- enjoy it while you can. Eventually, it won't work. I ran into this months ago when mine stopped working, when I contacted support they said I had TZones, not Internet and they were upgrading their systems to enforce service levels.

Sure, you can say that the $20 plan is for internet, but then so is the $6 plan. And if I'm going to violate the TOS anyway, I'm going to do it with the $6 plan, thankyouverymuch. :twisted:

[AdamaDBrown]

If you're even able to hack TZones into full access on your device, great -- enjoy it while you can. Eventually, it won't work. I ran into this months ago when mine stopped working, when I contacted support they said I had TZones, not Internet and they were upgrading their systems to enforce service levels.

There's no hacking involved, either you have full access or you don't--and T-Mobile has no one but themselves to blame, since they're the ones who control your access. And frankly, they're clearly not being put out by people using T-MobileWeb for internet, since you can do almost anything with it even through the proxy that you can do with the regular internet plans. I suspect their "enforcing service levels" line is just meant to try and pressure smartphone users to upgrade to the more expensive plan. And I'd very much like to see T-Mobile try to drop a customer because T-Mo felt that they weren't using the right type of phone for their data plan. That would be a lawsuit in about a half second. :roll:

[chaznet]

Well -- it's not really a hack, I know about the proxy settings you mentioned as I used to use them, and they worked as you described. One day they stopped working, I called support and they explained why. Again, if they still work for you, great, enjoy it while you can :wink:

There's no hacking involved, either you have full access or you don't.... :roll:

[Mark Larson]

I'd very much like to see T-Mobile try to drop a customer because T-Mo felt that they weren't using the right type of phone for their data plan. That would be a lawsuit in about a half second. :roll:
They didn't have to drop me, I dropped them. :lol:

I don't think there'd be a lawsuit or anything about this sort of thing though. No money in it.