Carrier News

I recently wrote about a “new category” of wireless plans generally classified asunlimited plans. In an effort to solidify their position in the new category, and to address one of the key shortcomings of most unlimited plans for all carriers, T-Mobile has just lauched an unlimited plan for families – called FamilyTime Unlimited.

Unlike the previous unlimited plans for T-Mobile and other carriers, where you could add additional unlimited lines for the same price of $99.99, the new FamilyTime Unlimited plans from T-Mobile start at $149.98 for two lines, and each additional line is only $49.99. This represents a serious savings if you’re looking for unlimited service for, say, three or four phones. Additionally, like the initial plan, this version includes unlimited calling and unlimited messaging (text, pics, etc). You can get up to five lines this way, all with unlimited calling and messaging.

The market is big for family/shared plans, and the minutes are big. It will be interesting to see how the other carriers react. Sprint had already been cautiously leaning this way, with their Unlimited Family plan each additional line is $5 less – e.g. $99.99 for the first line, $94.99 for the second, $89.99 for the third, etc.

For two and three line accounts, this T-Mobile plan is going to be really popular. One thing also seems for sure, the “unlimited” category will be around for a while, and it just got better at T-Mobile.

Stay tuned to Wirefly, the only online destination you need to visit for the latest on wireless products and services, offering the absolute best values as they emerge, with no gimmicks.

Almost six months after the original announcement, T-Mobile recently completed the acquistion of Suncom Wireless, which enhances its coverage to now include 98 of the top 100 US markets, and expands its nationwide coverage to 259 million Americans, up from 244 million.

Additionally, the acquisition also gives them markets in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. This enhanced coverage puts them squarely in the league of the top three national carriers.

T-Mobile and Suncom announced the acquistion back in September of 2007, but FCC approval was not granted until February 8, 2008, and the acquisition was completed shortly thereafter on February 22, 2008.

Read more…

At Wirefly, we’re always looking for creative ways to boost our sales through partnerships that really work for all parties involved - obviously, we want to move cell phones, but it helps when we find a great company to team up with, and when the offer just makes sense for the customer.

We think we’ve done just that, in our latest promotion with American Express.

If you’re an American Express customer in search of a new cell phone, this new program is worth a look. What we’ve been able to do, together with AmEx and T-Mobile, is offer a selection of popular Motorola phones at a significant discount - and the only thing you need to do is sign up for auto-pay through American Express. We figure, these days, more and more people are moving their bill-paying online anyway… AmEx customers are probably even more likely to do so.

So there’s no extra cost involved for the customer; in fact, if you’re used to paying your bills online, it’s actually a convenience. American Express gets increased business, T-Mobile gains the assurance of regular monthly payments, and we’re able to increase our cell phone sales.

Oh, and you get a free (or steeply discounted) phone. Win-win-win-win.

Late last year, T-Mobile launched an experimental UMA service in Seattle called HotSpot @Home. UMA networks allow cell phone users to place calls using existing GSM or GPRS cellular networks, and over unlicensed spectrum typically found in a home, or local-area WiFi setup. The transition is seamless, and allows customers to improve signal strength while indoors, while also saving money on wireless bills by using free WiFi connections when available.

The HotSpot @Home service (well, the beta version) costs an extra $20 a month, but that fee includes access at all T-Mobile WiFi HotSpots, meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of the network at coffee houses, hotels, airports, and anywhere else T-Mobile has set up shop.

Six months into the trial run in Seattle, T-Mobile now appears ready to roll out the service nationwide, according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription req.), and HotSpot @Home could come to your neck of the woods by mid-summer. Final pricing is not yet set, but should come soon.