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791

T-Mobile Just Ripped 8 Million Customers Off Their Grandfathered Plans – and Raised Their Bills (www.gadgetreview.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works to c/technology@lemmy.world

139 comments fedilink hide all child comments

“T‑Mobile will never change the price you pay for your T‑Mobile ONE plan.” That was the promise. The Un-contract. The whole reason millions of customers picked the magenta team over Verizon and AT&T in the first place. Now T-Mobile is retiring legacy 3G and 4G-era plans — Magenta, ONE, Simple Choice — and automatically moving customers onto “modern” 5G plans at higher monthly costs. Billing changes hit mid-July for the current wave. The company that swore it would never surprise you with a rate hike just sent the notification.

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[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 125 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

T-Mobile raised our rate last year which is bad enough by itself after promising not to, but they also seriously reduced the quality and availability of their customer service. Why stick around for that? We switched to a much cheaper prepaid company (~1/3rd T-Mobile's current price) and couldn't be happier.

Edit: Was thinking about the other problems we had with T-Mobile and forgot to mention one big problem... Incoming calls routinely would not ring and voicemails left just vanished. This happened for months. Multiple friends (and a couple of doctor's offices) mentioned it often enough that we realized we had a problem. T-Mobile's great customer service could find nothing wrong and refused to look at the lost calls that originated from other TMO customers.

[–] FoxtrotDeltaTango@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Which company was that? Mint moblie?

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

US Mobile. Switch was somewhat complicated (for instance you can't upgrade from one plan to another, unlike most postpaid plans) but once through the startup difficulties they've been great. Chat support is especially good.

[–] linkinkampf19@lemmy.world 26 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

We have been grandfathered into a Simple Choice Plan for ~13 years and just switched over to whatever their comparable current plan is, and only saved $10 (woohoo). What'd you go with? I was looking into prepaid with Tmo but they've been in quite the steady decline for a while now.

[–] dudleyflippendoodle@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)

I’ve been very happy with Visible. They’re owned by Verizon and in the long term, it’s the best value I’ve been able to find. They have a 2 week free trial period and frequently have awesome deals during Black Friday and in the Spring. Even without a discount though, plans start at $25/month with a plan that is probably enough for most people. Their highest tier (of 3) is $45.

Moved off T-Mobile for Visible after getting sick of their constant data breaches and haven’t been this happy with a cell carrier since Jump On-Demand was a thing.

The only real catches are:

Support is basically a chatbot and social media teams. However, human support reps do exist if you’re insistent enough, and I’ve only needed them maybe once in the past 3 years or so
Plans are for smartphones (and smartwatches with an existing smartphone line) only. No tablets or other devices.

[–] Zidane@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 weeks ago

Been on Visible for quite a while as well. I have never needed to contact support so can't speak on that. The only complaint I have is the app will force you to log in and authenticate every month (or used to idk I haven't been on it in a while)

[–] Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

I've loved visible ever since I joined like 7 years ago. Unlimited 5G, $25 a month. Works great international when I need it, but it's an extra $5/day with my plan when I use it

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[–] GalacticRobot@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Mint works pretty darn well. It's still using t-mobile towers, but is a whole lot cheaper.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 6 points 2 weeks ago

We have a Mint plan and yeah it’s been fine. Only issue we have is it gets deprioritized in large, crowded events like concerts.

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[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 13 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (7 children)

What's the new carrier? I want to ditch T-Mobile they are ripping us off. I was thinking about switching to Mint mobile.

Edit: Thanks for the heads up and suggestions. I'll avoid Mint and take a look into US Mobile.

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 21 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

US Mobile. No significant complaints after 10 months.

[–] Generica@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

We switched to US Mobile last October and I've kind of been a bit shocked at how good and responsive their customer service is to be a MVNO prepaid utilizing Indian call centers.

Also, US Mobile partners with all three major carriers, so you can pick your network! They have to use different names because of copyrights but here is the translation: AT&T = Dark Star, Verizon = Warp, T-Mobile= Light Speed

Their unlimited plans all come with hotspot and start at $25 monthly regular price but they always have promos for new customers and you can prepay for a year of service and get unlimited for as little as around $16 a month. They ALSO always seem to have fantastic prices on the current model Google Pixel base phone and Pro XL, if you're an Android person like me.

[–] halcyoncmdr@piefed.social 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Dark Star... Hmm...

It was even blown up once before with the breakup of Ma Bell.

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[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 10 points 2 weeks ago

Phreeli https://www.phreeli.com/

“The goal of this phone company is to be more private than the three biggest phone carriers in the US. That’s the promise we’re going to massively overdeliver on.”

[–] DevDave@piefed.social 9 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I thought TMobile bought Mint?

[–] halcyoncmdr@piefed.social 10 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

They did, but even beyond that, the other alternatives mentioned in this thread are MVNOs that still use T-Mobile's network (usually with a lower priority compared to direct customers, not usually an issue unless there's congestion). You're still paying T-Mobile, just indirectly. MVNOs buy in bulk and try to offer options that split that bulk usage up in ways different to the big carriers to target smaller more specific demographics.

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[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Damn everything is a monopoly here..

[–] DevDave@piefed.social 7 points 2 weeks ago

Anti-Trust is some bullshit invented by damn socialist commies to keep the money from trickling down. \s

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[–] TrippyHippyDan@lemmy.world 89 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Its almost like everyone saw this coming once Sprint was allowed to merge with them, and then US Cellular

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 21 points 2 weeks ago

they all pull this shit.. three different providers besides tm here, just in the last 2-3 years.

and they get away with it, so it continues..

[–] halcyoncmdr@piefed.social 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Don't forget that part of the merger was Dish buying Boost Mobile with the supposed intent to build their own network. Which anyone actually paying attention knew would never actually happen. Dish Network says a lot of shit, and follows through with basically none of it.

On July 1, 2020, Dish Network officially purchased Boost Mobile per their agreement with the companies and the United States' Department of Justice. The purchase was valued at $1.4B and transferred 9.3 million customers.[67] The intent of the US government was for Dish to erect a new nationwide wireless mobile network in order to compensate for reduced competition following the Sprint–T-Mobile merger.[citation needed]

However, in the years following the transaction Dish failed to sufficiently grow Boost Mobile's subscriber base and in 2025 announced that it will decommission its 5G network infrastructure, sell most of its wireless spectrum assets to AT&T, and shift Boost Mobile's operating model from a facilities-based network to a mobile virtual network, with its subscribers being hosted on AT&T's wireless network.[68]

T-Mobile followed the timeframe they agreed to for the merger to be approved, which was very public.

On March 11, 2020, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced he will not appeal the judge's decision made during the previous month to reject the state AGs’ lawsuit against the T-Mobile-Sprint merger. He, instead, struck a settlement with the defending parties. The terms of the settlement include making its low-cost T-Mobile Connect plans available in California for at least 5 years, that T-Mobile customers can keep their T-Mobile plans held in February 2019 for a total of five years ...

Hmm... 2020 plus 5 years is... 2025... would you look at the calendar.

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[–] PunnyName@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Mergers of larger corporations shouldn't be permitted. In fact, any attempt at initiating a merger should instead initiate a breakup.

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[–] LogicalDrivel@sopuli.xyz 57 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Got the text this morning. God damn scammers.

[–] cecinestpasunecommunication@lemmy.dbzer0.com 28 points 2 weeks ago

Yes, they're a company.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 50 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Class-action lawsuit time.

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[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 44 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

This is some straight up MBA enshittificarion. I’m on the military plan with all unlimited yada yada, even then data is throttled down after a certain amount. Waiting for an email that says they’re supporting the troops by increasing the amount we can contribute to the economy or some shit.

[–] ITGuyLevi@programming.dev 7 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Yeah, I'm a bit pissed that the military plan is changing. Bill for me is going up around $20.

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[–] CascadianGiraffe@lemmy.world 36 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The same company that told me they would give me a $300 prepaid visa to switch. Then told me I had to stay a customer for 30 days before I would get it. And at 30 days told me I was outside the 30 day window to claim it?

I'm so surprised.

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

A few years ago I tried to buy a couple of phones at a T-Mobile store and they flatly refused to sell to me unless I purchased their monthly phone insurance. The manager openly admitted he knew the practice was illegal but didn't care.

The company is also famous for refusing to pay customers trade in value by fraudulently claiming phones have cracked screens and significant damage.

T-Mobile's been a shit company for years.

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[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 27 points 2 weeks ago

In 2025 T-Mobile reported a net income (net profit) of $11.0 billion. Think of the poor shareholders!

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 24 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

For what it's worth, y'all, Mint Mobile is pretty great. I actually got an email in December when renewal time came telling me I should downgrade my plan and save money, based on my data usage for 2025.

[–] HeartyOfGlass@piefed.social 22 points 2 weeks ago

I also am a fan of Mint Mobile, but IIRC they were bought up by T-Mobile a few years back. I'm waiting for their inevitable enshittification, but riding the wave until it crashes.

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[–] PunnyName@lemmy.world 22 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I stopped using T-Mobile a few months ago. Used to need the Internet while living in a shelter, until I moved into a government funded apartment. I now have TAG Mobile for my phone (free each month w/ 10 gigs of data), and $30/month AT&T 100mb up/down fiber Internet.

Being poor sometimes has advantages.

If you have ANY government assistance program (like SNAP), you qualify for free mobile and reduced cost home Internet.

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[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Again? Didn't they do this a couple years ago too?

[–] KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 2 weeks ago

Rinse and repeat

[–] melsaskca@lemmy.ca 14 points 2 weeks ago

You know all the corporations are now thinking..."The prez lies with immunity. The precedent has been set. Let's go boys...SELL SELL SELL !!".

[–] OldQWERTYbastard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Well, fuck. These companies move in step with one another and I've been paying the same 60-something per month since January 2007 before AT&T gobbled up Cingular.

Guess I'm probably next.

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

US Mobile is still in the "good prices, good service, be nice" phase of their existence. Buy out or enshittification should still be a few years off. It's a fraction of the price of TMO's new rates too.

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[–] CaptDust@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 weeks ago (9 children)

I dunno anyone still using the big 3 telcos, not much value over the MVNOs unless you're really the type that wants to bundle Disney+ or something.

[–] scoobydoo27@lemmy.zip 15 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Every time I’ve tried one of MVNOs I’ve got shit service at my work. I’m affected by this new price hike from T-Mobile so I’m going to try one again but not expecting great results.

[–] doodlebob@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Check out US mobile... If you get their top plan, you can change to any of the 3 mobile providers for free

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[–] SalamiDommie@lemmus.org 12 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Old TMobile user... Haven't gotten the messages. Going to look into this.

The anti-consumer practices going on in business right now are becoming insane.

[–] OldQWERTYbastard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

They don't even hide it any more. Rug pulls left and right because fuck you.

"What are you going to do about it? Absolutely nothing."

That's their thought process.

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[–] vane@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago

That's the price for Germany World Cup failure.

[–] Denalduh@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I got the text today... Our bill will go up an extra $18/month. Great.

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[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 weeks ago

Airtel did that to me when I got the first Smartphone. They argued that the forever was for 3G, not 4G, although there was no mention of such a thing in the contract. They lost 4 mobile lines, a landline, and ADSL forever.

[–] nullspace@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago (8 children)

They do shit like this and get away with it because it's slim pickings for a plan that has phone, internet, and most importantly no data cap. All carriers suck at one of those three.

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