T-Mobile to Bring Flat Rate Data Plan to the UK: Much Rejoicing

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=237970' target='_blank'>http://www.modaco.com/index.php?showtopic=237970</a><br /><br /></div><i>"T-Mobile have been somewhat blazing-the-trail for Windows Mobile users of late, with their adoption of just about every HTC device under the sun . . . coupled with their impressive 'web-n-walk' and innovative 'FlexT' tariffs. . . . All good I hear you say, but how does this shake up the UK Mobile Data market? Well, if our sources are to be believed, T-Mobile will announce - with some fanfare - a £7.50 per month flat rate data usage plan! Likely subject to a fairly relaxed 'acceptable usage plan' (1GB seems likely), the deal looks set to have Smart device users on other networks migrating in droves. . . [W]ill YOU be jumping ship from your current provider should this deal arrive?"</i><br /><br />It's high time something like this came along in the UK. :-) I've previously been with T-Mobile and this may tempt me back to them when my O2 contract is up soon. I've heard about this 'flat rate data' and am keen to explore it's merits. ;-) For those of you already on such flat rate tariffs, is it a 'nice-to-have' or has it become indispensable to you?

[martin_ayton]

I had a guy from Carphone Warehouse's business section call me up to try to sell me a T-Mo contract. It was sufficiently interesting (even without the flat-rate data deal) that I just took delivery this morning of a pay-as-you-go T-Mo SIM card so I can check out the coverage in my home village (where my current provider, O2, is acceptable, but Vodafone and Orange suck). The flat rate deal might well put the icing on the cake for me: if T-Mo's coverage is good, O2 are going to have to work pretty hard to keep me as a customer.

[beq]

Really, isn't that like US$13?

T-Mobile USA charges $50/month for unlimited GRPS data usage. Even more ($60 and up) for the EVDO providers...

[hamishmacdonald]

I switched to EasyMobile a while ago because I'm out of the country for two months of the year, and in general the mobile tariffs here all seem like swindles to me. (What ever happened to that investigation into price-fixing that was supposed to result in lower fees for users?) EasyMobile is the best alternative for me, as it's truly pay-as-you go, with no monthly minimums or line rental, and they don't steal back your unused (yet paid for!) time.

This T-Mobile plan sounds very good, though. I would happily overpay for unlimited usage than get a cheap rate full of conditions and loopholes for the provider. At the moment, there are lots of "six months half price" contracts, which I think are horrible marketing, because they're informing you that it's a trick right up front. Might as well say "Double tariff after six months -- join now!"

I've read with envy about the unlimited plans in the States, but didn't expect to see that arrive here. I look forward to the announcement.

[Phoenix]

...T-Mobile USA charges $50/month for unlimited GRPS data usage. Even more ($60 and up) for the EVDO providers...

$50/mo. is for data access on a laptop (with a wireless PC Card) and includes unlimited T-Mobile Hot Spots (Wifi access) and EDGE coverage.

With a voice plan, you can add unlimited data access for your phone, and this costs $30/mo., which also includes unlimited Hot Spots access and EDGE coverage.

[SHC]

Well if thats true i would be very tempted to jump ship too. i wonder if Orange will match them as they usually pledge to match price plans. hope so because I can't change for 6 months :(

[biglouis]

...er... isn't the important point here to establish whether this is "all you can eat" on 3G?

If it applies only to GPRS then you have to in a pretty good cell to get close enough to an acceptable transfer rate to browse enough web pages (or similar) to make this worthwhile.

Or am I missing something here?

LouisB

[mightymission]

&lt;is it a 'nice-to-have' or has it become indispensable to you?>

Over 700 MB's usage (between my MDA and SE laptop aircard) on last months bill at only $19.99 says totally indispensable...heh

[scottb]

...T-Mobile USA charges $50/month for unlimited GRPS data usage. Even more ($60 and up) for the EVDO providers...

$50/mo. is for data access on a laptop (with a wireless PC Card) and includes unlimited T-Mobile Hot Spots (Wifi access) and EDGE coverage.

With a voice plan, you can add unlimited data access for your phone, and this costs $30/mo., which also includes unlimited Hot Spots access and EDGE coverage.

Umlimited data from Verizon Wireless is $45 per month with a voice plan, $50 without. Still a lot more than T-Mo in th UK will be! I never thought much of T-Mo in the US though. [/code]