Changes afoot at T-Mobile; smartphones to require data plans, family messaging rate hike

By on May 12, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Exclusive May 12, 2009

There has been quite a bit of movement recently as far as T-Mobile’s plans are concerned and if you haven’t been keeping your eye on the ball, you probably missed something. For the most part, T-Mo has added plans and options that are pretty favorable for subscribers but word just came in from one of our ninjas regarding a few more upcoming changes some might not be happy about. The first concerns smartphone users: We know that all you BGR fans out there obviously have data plans but there are plenty of people who enjoy the enhanced functionality of a smartphone who haven’t yet embraced mobile data services. Unfortunately, those people are in for a bit of a disappointment — some time in June T-Mobile will begin requiring that all smartphones (new activations / upgrades) have a data plan. This new requirement will not apply to the BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry Pearl Flip, Samsung Behold or Samsung Memoir. Next up, messaging addicts: Also beginning some time in June, T-Mobile’s Unlimited Domestic Messages for Families will jump from $19.95 per month to $24.99 per month. It’s still a pretty sweet deal of course, just not quite as sweet as it used to be.

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  • http://www.cellphonesandyou.blogspot.com Tedd

    There actually is an internet only option but it is the same price as the data plan with 400 messages ($24.99)

  • anono

    hey man i have a curve and do not need the data, i like the larger screen & higher res, longer battery life, calendar is great non smart phones have sh*ty calendars which was the number one reason i went to bb. way more apps, customizable, multi tasking, ease of use, and thats all that comes to mind now.

  • uteropl

    @ dip SH*T mo money:
    a smart phone w/o data is not equivalent to a chassis w/ no motor. ur a DF, wrong comparison.

  • kaleal crooks

    question

    just got a g1 and then got my line through a change of responsibility, i am under a 2 year contract…… can i cancel the data plan without fees?

  • jbizzle

    When you upgrade to a data device the data feature will be REQUIRED. If you call to cancel it that day, it will be just like canceling your account and you WILL be charged the ETF. by upgrading you will be signing a new contract and all this information will be in the terms and conditions. if you dont agree with it, dont get a contract and buy the phone at full price, In the cell phone industry the money is in the data!!

  • Dataplansuk

    As stated previously on this site, I have a smartphone simply for its PDA capabilities. I don’t necessarily need a data plan.

    If I have to start lugging a PDA around with a “dumb” cell phone, this will create more lumps in my pockets, and people will either think I’ve got a tumor or am aroused all of the time! ;-)

  • NM8900

    @Kaleal…you could right now. But I wouldn’t recommend it by any means. You would lose internet, sync,market,ect. Not to mention if you lock your self out of your phone through the pattern, you will be looking at an HTC brick since you don’t have the web to log back in.

    As for this Data requirement. Again it’s not only for data. You can choose to add the unlimited text for $14.99 and not data. It has to be either unlimited text, unlimited data(24.99), or unlimited text/data(34.99).

    The devices include as of right now in this is BB8320, BB8900,G1, Wing, Dash, and Sidekicks. So this leaves out the Shadow, Behold, Memoir, and all the Pearls!THIS IS ONLY FOR UPGRADES AND NEW ACTIVATIONS.

    I fail to see why this is that bad. If you don’t want the data and want some of the features, go with a Pear or Shadow. Both have Wifi( minus the 8100).

  • T-Mobile UMA Problem

    T Mobile is screwing their customers and there is nothing positive about it. I purchased a blackberry 8900 and I don’t have access to the internet in my home and at school which I am paying for. I was told I would be able to access non restricted wi-fi and they changed the rules right after I bought the phone. I am sure that they will hit me with a etf and I a screwed out of my out of pocket for the phone that does not work. Who cares about how competitive they are when they pull a stunt like that. I called them to cancel and they are trying to do a bypass, but that doesn’t sound fair to their other customers.

  • Shannon

    Seriously, have folks never heard of a pda? Not only no data plan you can’t even make calls on it -and imagine, people pay hundreds of dollars for those!

    I’ve been using a smartphone for years, and I don’t even text. For me the most important feature is having windows mobile. I have absolutely zero need for a data plan. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t buy the dash in May when I was planning to but then heard there was a new version coming out so waited until now… there is no way I’m paying a few hundred extra a year for a plan I can’t use just to get a phone I need. I’ll keep using my sda that’s completely fallen apart I guess!

  • http://www.blueletterBible.org ReadPsalms1

    You need to wash your heart and stop speaking filth like that. Surely your English teacher taught you more than that, and you need especially to have listened to your Sunday School teacher!

  • swk

    readpsalms1 stop being stupid that is not relevant to the topic.

    This is not fair to the customers. I am perfectly happy with unlimited txt and wifi. With the wifi feature i can have internet next to a router which i am next to a router that I have the password for almost 24/7. Saying this I do not have any use in paying 30 bucks a month of a data plan that I will never use because some rich person wants to make more money especially when the economy in the US is going to shit right now. This is the wrong time to be screwing your customers…

  • mo

    How much is unlimited family plan?

    • swk

      even more plus
      without a contract for two lines $79.99 for unlimted caling 99.99 for talk and txt and then 140 for call web and text.

      even more
      with a contract it is 99.99 for talk, 120 for talk and txt, and I guess 160 for talk txt and web.

      No my faves anymore…

  • swk
  • swee

    I have a question:
    So if i were to stick in my SIM card into a blackberry 8900 that was owned previously by someone who didn’t have problems with using that phone without a data plan, would the blackberry be functional?

    I don’t want to get the data plan. I only plan on using wi-fi occasionally. Thanks

    • swk

      yes it would still function. How t-mobile and many other cellphone service providers make you get a data plan is they give you a really nice phone for 100 bucks, but you have to get a data plan with the phone if it is considered a “smart phone” and extend your contract for another two years. If you were to take off the data plan within the two years then you would be charged 200 dollars for voiding the contract. They do the same if you cancel your contract. Since you are not signing a contract they cannot make you get a data plan.

      I personally would go to ebay and buy a phone before I upgraded to a phone that they req. you to get a data plan.

      Just make sure the phone can be used with t-mobile or is unlocked.

      • http://www.htcparadise.net chris

        Good luck finding another provider that doesn’t force a data plan. Only one I can think of is MetroPCS but their service sucks.

  • swee

    Thank you for the explanation!! =)

  • aallen

    I have been a customer for 9 years. When I ordered a new phone they tried to make me put the data plan on it so I cancelled my line of service. Who the hell is Tmobile to tell my what I HAVE TO HAVE ON MY FREAKIN ACCOUNT. Last time I checked I paid the bill. Now I have to get a nother service provider and start all over….Im extremely upset

  • Vzw Dave

    You guys have to be more realistic. These companies are not non for profit and are by design money makers. If you don’t like that they require data packages, quit buying high end phones that cost these companies more than standard phones. Honestly, without the data package 90% of your phone capabilities are useless and you paid 300 dollars for a glorified paper weight. And for the “who are they to tell me what I can do” comment: its called a contract and you signed it when you started service.

    • Chuckie

      I bought my smartphone used on eBay and now they have added a dataplan without my permission. Hey! This is my phone and I use it for WiFi and PDA functionality – I don’t want an expensive data plan! I think the wireless companies are ripping off their customers and this is not legal.

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