{"id":32498,"date":"2024-03-22T18:10:57","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T15:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/32498\/t-mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge\/"},"modified":"2024-03-22T18:10:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T15:10:59","slug":"t-mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/?p=32498","title":{"rendered":"T-Mobile&#8217;s crafty way to charge extra fees and still remain Un-carrier"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>T-Mobile&#8217;s crafty way to charge extra fees and still remain Un-carrier\u060c<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>T-Mobile is careful to maintain its underdog status among U.S. carriers.  Back when it was gaining market share, when it had the flamboyant John Legere as CEO, <span>T Mobile<\/span> called itself Un-carrier to stand out and didn&#39;t miss an opportunity to criticize Verizon or AT&#038;T about their plan prices and 5G network difficulties.<\/p>\n<div>The company was indeed right, as it kept its profit margins very low compared to Big Red and Ma Bell, resulting in both much lower plan prices and faster 5G network expansion.  However, under the leadership of CEO Mike Sievert, <span>T Mobile<\/span> takes matters into its own hands with the Un-carrier brand and its prices have closed the gap with AT&#038;T or <span>Verizon<\/span>.<\/div>\n<h2>T-Mobile vs Verizon vs AT&#038;T plan prices<\/h2>\n<h5>Still non-carrier<\/h5>\n<p>As you can see in the table below, the prices for the basic unlimited plans of <span>T Mobile<\/span> are still lower than those of <span>Verizon<\/span> and AT&#038;T, and its family plans with more lines are particularly attractive.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"overflow-auto nolinks\">\n<table class=\"tb-plugin tb-plugin-fullWidth\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>T-Mobile Essentials<\/th>\n<th>AT&#038;T Value Plus<\/th>\n<th>Verizon Unlimited Welcome<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1 line<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$50<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$50<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$65<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$90<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$100<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$110<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$90 (3rd line free, limited time offer)<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$115<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 39px;\">\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\">$100 (limited time offer)<\/span><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$125<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$125<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$155<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Strangulation<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">at >50 GB<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">n \/ A<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/tag\/video\/\"   title=\"Video\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Video<\/a> streaming<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">South Dakota<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">South Dakota<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">South Dakota<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Access point per line<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3G Speeds<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5 GB at full speed<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8211;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-style: italic; font-size: small;\">*All prices are after autopay and with paperless billing, include unlimited calls and texts in the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/tag\/united\/\"   title=\"United\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">United<\/a> States.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>However, the difference between plan prices decreases as you add lines.  Despite <span>T Mobile<\/span> has a slight price advantage of about $5 per line per month for a family plan with four lines, those twenty dollars saved wouldn&#39;t mean much if it weren&#39;t for <span>T Mobile<\/span> blanket.<\/p>\n<div>For the moment, <span>Verizon<\/span>The network is most extensive in rural areas, for example, if it is not covered by 5G.  Always, <span>T Mobile<\/span>&#39;s own promotional materials tout its price advantage over <span>Verizon<\/span> and AT&#038;T.<\/p>\n<div><\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"gallery-992f17ac-469d-447b-828f-3ae640d1f137\" class=\"single-image-container full-width-element\">\n<div class=\"gallery-item\">\n<picture style=\"padding-top: 48.34510970621%\"><source media=\"(max-width: 350px)\" ><source media=\"(min-width: 351px) and (max-width: 500px)\" ><source media=\"(min-width: 501px) and (max-width: 800px)\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/T-Mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge-extra-fees-and-still-remain.jpg\" alt=\"T-Mobile touts its Un-carrier assets - T-Mobile&#39;s clever way of charging extra fees while still remaining an Un-carrier\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<p>T-Mobile touts its Un-carrier assets<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<h2>About these activation fees<\/h2>\n<h5>T-Mobile Postpaid and Prepaid Takeaway<\/h5>\n<div>However, when it comes to clever little ways to continue to be the underdog and non-carrier in users&#39; minds, <span>T Mobile<\/span> appears to be embarking on a two-pronged strategy.  On March 8, for example, T-Mobile reduced the price of device connection fees on new lines from $35 to $5, according to an internal memo. <\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"gallery-9ffa0d28-a55a-4b5b-b409-d634b2307592\" class=\"single-image-container full-width-element\">\n<div class=\"gallery-item\">\n<picture style=\"padding-top: 64.215246636771%\"><source media=\"(max-width: 350px)\" ><source media=\"(min-width: 351px) and (max-width: 500px)\" ><source media=\"(min-width: 501px) and (max-width: 800px)\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1711120257_654_T-Mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge-extra-fees-and-still-remain.jpg\" alt=\"T-Mobile Device Connection Fee Price Reduction Memo - T-Mobile&#39;s Clever Way to Charge Extra Fees While Remaining a Non-Carrier\" class=\"lazy\" data-id=\"412358\" haswatermark=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1711120257_654_T-Mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge-extra-fees-and-still-remain.jpg\" alt=\"T-Mobile Device Connection Fee Price Reduction Memo - T-Mobile&#39;s Clever Way to Charge Extra Fees While Remaining a Non-Carrier\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<p>T-Mobile Device Connection Fee Price Reduction Memo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>That&#39;s a pretty hefty discount for one of the more annoying phantom fees on a carrier&#39;s list, and it&#39;s surely appreciated by current and potential users. <span>T Mobile<\/span> subscribers who would otherwise have been hesitant to pull the trigger.<\/p>\n<p>This, however, is the lucrative market for postpaid plans, which are the bread and butter of operators&#39; revenues once their subscriptions are locked into lengthy phone installment plans that now extend up to 36 months.<\/p>\n<div>When it comes to <span>T Mobile<\/span>With its own prepaid offering that doesn&#39;t require such contracts, the Un-carrier is apparently keen to recoup some of the largesse it demonstrated with postpaid device connection fees.<\/div>\n<div>According to another internal leak <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/tmobile\/comments\/1bd7xex\/this_is_lowkey_insulting\/\" class=\"external\">note<\/a>activation fees <span>T Mobile<\/span> Prepaids benefit from an increase.  The fee appears to take effect on March 21 and replaces the SIM starter kit with a $25 device connection fee.  Furthermore, <span>T Mobile<\/span> Prepaid will charge an additional $5 fee for refilling at a store. <span>T Mobile<\/span> even suggests how to explain it to customers:<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"quote quote-auto nolinks\" style=\"width: 100.0%\">\n<p>The Device Connection Fee is a one-time charge to connect a new phone device to the network when activating or upgrading with T-Mobile Prepaid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"gallery-a1acc843-e598-47a8-8b21-e26ed9806f88\" class=\"single-image-container  image-c\" style=\"width:800px;max-width:100%\">\n<div class=\"gallery-item\">\n<picture style=\"padding-top: 133.375%\"><source media=\"(max-width: 350px)\" ><source media=\"(min-width: 351px) and (max-width: 500px)\" ><source media=\"(min-width: 501px) and (max-width: 800px)\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1711120257_725_T-Mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge-extra-fees-and-still-remain.jpg\" alt=\"New T-Mobile Prepaid Activation Fee Prices \u2013 T-Mobile&#39;s Clever Way to Charge Extra Fees While Still Being a Non-Carrier\" class=\"lazy\" data-id=\"412357\" haswatermark=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1711120257_725_T-Mobiles-crafty-way-to-charge-extra-fees-and-still-remain.jpg\" alt=\"New T-Mobile Prepaid Activation Fee Prices \u2013 T-Mobile&#39;s Clever Way to Charge Extra Fees While Still Being a Non-Carrier\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<p>New T-Mobile Prepaid Activation Fee Prices<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, when it comes to prepaid mobile plans, <span>T Mobile<\/span> has one of the biggest brands in the space, and it&#39;s not its own prepaid offering.  The so-called subway by <span>T Mobile<\/span> formed after the merger of MetroPCS with Big Magenta, whose network it relies on to provide its services at competitive prices.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">T-Mobile vs Verizon vs AT&#038;T Prepaid Plan Prices<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"overflow-auto nolinks\">\n<table class=\"tb-plugin tb-plugin-fullWidth align-center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(46, 148, 202) 0%, rgb(18, 120, 174) 100%);\"\/>\n<th style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(46, 148, 202) 0%, rgb(18, 120, 174) 100%);\">Verizon Prepaid 25GB<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(46, 148, 202) 0%, rgb(18, 120, 174) 100%);\">AT&#038;T Prepaid 30 GB<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(46, 148, 202) 0%, rgb(18, 120, 174) 100%);\">T-Mobile Prepaid 50 GB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1 line<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$60<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$40<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\">\n<p>$90<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">$80<\/span><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$120<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$120<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$110<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4 lines<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$150<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$160<\/td>\n<td class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\">$140<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-style: italic;\">*Prices for prepaid plans are after an automatic payment discount, if applicable<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Compared to <span>Verizon<\/span> or AT&#038;T prepaid, <span>T Mobile<\/span>The offer <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/tag\/stands\/\"   title=\"stands\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">stands<\/a> out not only with the lowest price for three lines, but also with the fact that it offers the most data at full 5G speed. <\/p>\n<p>Yet its Metro brand remains extremely popular and is <span>T Mobile<\/span>the largest prepaid offer in the country, with more than 20 million subscribers.  Its 4-line for $100 deal is also pretty unbeatable, even though those only give 35GB of data at full speed without \u201cprioritization.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As a result, even if the extra $30 or so <span>T Mobile<\/span> Prepaid fees may seem very unusual to non-operators, the new prepaid fees are a storm in a teacup.  After all, the amount of <span>T Mobile<\/span> the affected customers would be much smaller than those who would benefit from the 85% reduction in device connection fees for postpaid plans. <\/p>\n<div>Namely, as <span>T Mobile<\/span> is still everyone&#39;s favorite underdog, offering some of the lowest prices and the fastest 5G network nationwide, so the only tangible criterion should be the strength of its signal coverage in the region.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>T-Mobile&#8217;s crafty way to charge extra fees and still remain Un-carrier\u060c T-Mobile is careful to maintain its underdog status among U.S. carriers. Back when it was gaining market share, when it had the flamboyant John Legere as CEO, T Mobile called itself Un-carrier to stand out and didn&#39;t miss an opportunity to criticize Verizon or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32499,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[404,12231,3256,1942,2174,1434,12232],"class_list":["post-32498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-charge","tag-crafty","tag-extra","tag-fees","tag-remain","tag-tmobiles","tag-uncarrier"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32498"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32500,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32498\/revisions\/32500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}