T-Mobile to replace grandfathered plans with new Simple Choice plans at comparable prices

By Andrew Martonik
published

Following a long line of sweeping changes related to Simple Choice plans, T-Mobile is ready to start reducing the number of legacy plans it has on its network. According to reports from users and now an official statement from T-Mobile, we know that the carrier is ready to start replacing grandfathered plans that are no longer offered with more modern Simple Choice plans very soon. All T-Mobile customers, no matter how old their plan is, will be "forced" onto a new Simple Choice offering in the coming months.

But these long-standing customers won't just be given the current crop of Simple Choice options, they will instead be given a choice from dozens of new, unadvertised no-contract plans. Indications are that T-Mobile is ready to mix-and-match features in any way possible to keep you happy. Single line unlimited plans will start at just $20 (over the current $50), and T-Mobile expects most people to get the same or better features at a comparable price to their current plan.

Although this sounds like a pretty great deal for anyone with a legacy plan that has held out on moving to Simple Choice, T-Mobile is extending an offer to cancel your service with no penalty by February 1, 2014 should you be unhappy with the new offerings.

Those with legacy single line and family plans should see letters arriving in their mailboxes very soon indicating that the plan changes are coming, so keep an eye out if you're in that crowd. You could be in store for a much-improved plan at no additional cost if you play your cards right.

Source: TmoNews

Andrew Martonik
Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.

47 Comments
  • While this is great for T-Mobile customers, I'm concerned that AT&T will follow suit and begin forcing people off its grandfathered plans. I'm one of the lucky ones with an unlimited data plan, and I don't want to lose that.
  • I'm afraid of the same thing and I have unlimited data with Verizon for only $10 a month and I have that deal on 3 of my lines.
  • Yea this is what I am worried about. Ugh. Posted via Android Central App
  • You do know that everything Verizon does, AT&T will be doing in ~6 months right? Verizon proved they can do it without any losses to their bottom lines so the other half of Ma Bell will be following suit sooner than later. Enjoy unlimited data while it lasts! Posted via Android Central App
  • Actually it's the other way around. AT&T gave up unlimited first and Verizon followed suit. Posted via Android Central App
  • But even your so called unlimited plan isn't really unlimited. You know that, right?
  • Mine is AT&T completely unlimited data. Posted via Android Central App
  • But throttled after 3 GB on HSPA+ and 5 GB on LTE, so it's 'unlimited'. Or are you one of the lucky few that never get throttled?
  • Not true. I would go thru 30 GB of data at full LTE speeds every month. On truly unlimited data. I'm lucky like that Posted via Android Central App
  • LOL. No sir.
  • I'm on Verizon with a grandfathered unlimited plan and I usually burn through 4 - 7 GB a month and rarely do I get throttled.
  • I don't know what Verizon's policy is on throttling, do they have one for unlimited plans?
  • Nope. Regularly go over 4+GBs a month. Posted via Droid RAZR M on the Android Central App
  • I use anywhere from 6-20 gb per month on my Verizon line and never get throttled. I don't think Verizon is even allowed to throttle on the 700mhz spectrum they use for LTE.. I think it one of the things they had to agree to to get that spectrum.
  • They will throttle 3G users, when they are connected to a tower that is congested and they are one of the heavier users. But not all of the time and not just at some arbitrary limit like AT&T has. 4G users they cannot due to the constraints placed on the spectrum they use for 4G
  • I joined T-Mobile in late November and got myself one of the Value Plans with Unlimitied 4G Data. Since I'm really still under contract, you guys think I will be moved to one of these new plans?
  • As it says, everyone that isn't on a "Simple Choice" plan will be moved.
  • If you read the contract for your phone plan, the carrier has the right to terminate that contract at any time if they so choose to. Posted via Android Central App
  • Ok I was just asking because it wasn't like I had this plan for years. Of course I know they can change it. I'm not stupid
  • take a deep breath
  • So if they terminate your contract, do they owe you three hundred and fifty dollars? = P Seriously why do I get hit with a Spam Message for typing numbers?
  • The article isn't clear, but it would seem to me that if you joined in November, you will get the Simple Choice Value Unlimited Everything $50/$30/$10). So you won't lose Unlimited 4G data, rather you would probably be able to get the same at a lower price. (For a while at least). Follow the link at the bottom of the article above to the T-Monews site and you will see a screen shot of the actual letter. It says unlimited voice, text, and 4g data, for around $45.
  • You will surely be moved to one of the new plans, and your contract might disappear. I moved my Value Plan personal line into a Small Business Simple Choice plan. I had a 2 year contract with 18 months left, and my new line has no contract attached to it, I paid no ETF, and I get the same plan for the same price, plus, I now get 2.5 GB of hotspot data with my unlimited plan. I never asked to have my contract canceled, they did it on their own. My new plan has no contract.
  • Crap. I have a feeling Verizon will do the same soon.
  • That would kind of make sense after allowing those custmers who managed to upgrade and keep their unlimited data plans.
  • I just hope if and when Verizon decides to do this, they implement the same policy of allowing you out of your contract without penalty. Their ridiculous and absurd cancellation fees are the only reason I haven't jumped ship to T-mobile yet.
  • They would have to let you out of it. That's why T-Mobile is allowing you to end your service if you want. You have "some" rights in your contact.
  • I have 2 separate prepaid accounts (no contract). How am I affected or is this just for customers on contracts?
  • It does not affect prepaid. Posted via Android Central App
  • Right now it seems the only changes are to traditional postpaid plans.
  • Key being, right now ----------------------------------------------------
    My S-Pen went through hell to deliver this important message to you
  • I wish I lived somewhere that T-Mobile had decent coverage. I'm in Madison, WI and they have absolutely zero network here. I switched from AT&T to Verizon because AT&T had coverage issues, and luckily I got in on Verizon before they forced you to get unlimited voice & texts. Verizon and now AT&T only let new customers sign up for "share everything" plans that include unlimited voice & text. I've had a 450 minute plan for like 10+ years and can't even remember the last time I went over my minutes. But if I were a new Verizon or AT&T customer, then I would have no choice. If you want a smartphone and 2 GB of data on Verizon, you're stuck paying $100/mo. Which is ridiculous. I just re-upped my contract with Verizon since I pay $85/mo for 450 minutes, 1000 texts and 4 GB of data. But I'm starting to run up against that data cap more frequently, so I'm dreading when I have to start looking for a more generous data allowance. Basically, the cell phone companies will eventually find a new and different way to gouge you for an unreasonable amount of money.
  • Your best case scenario would be if sprint got LTE fully rolled out there. If you're lucky enough to get full LTE they are the best.
  • I'm in an area with full LTE on sprint and it still sucks for me Posted via Android Central App
  • Then you are doing it wrong ----------------------------------------------------
    My S-Pen went through hell to deliver this important message to you
  • New Verizon customer here. I signed up on the ridiculous $100 per month plan that includes unlimited talk and text plus 2 gb of data but turned right around and got switched to the $60 per month unlimited talk and text plus 2 gb of data before my 14 day trial period ended. Super fast LTE and relatively competetive pricing equals win in my book. Posted via Android Central App
  • I'm just curious: When did you last look at T-Mobile in the Madison area? Or do your friends have issues with it there? T-Mobile has Madison, WI listed as an LTE market and everything (http://t-mobile-coverage.t-mobile.com/4gcitylist.aspx). I know in most cases LTE won't be perfect when it's first announced in cities, but I've heard they improve relatively quickly. I'm just asking because I'm seriously considering a switch to T-Mobile and I go to Madison at least maybe a few times a year and I'd like to have some kind of coverage while I'm there. I can otherwise speak from experience that Sprint is not very good there.
  • Pre-Pay.
    And be done with this mess.
  • So, one's reward for them breaching the contract is that one gets to cancel his service. Woohoo... So worried that AT&T will follow with similar. And I _just_ renewed (keeping my grandfathered unlimited) so I could get a G2.
  • Well the reward is that they're going to take you out of contract and let you continue with a new plan at a lower price with more features... and if for some reason that doesn't do it for you, you can leave.
  • I just changed my over. I get unlimited talk, up from 500 minutes. I get 0.5GB more data. I save $10/month. But I never had an unlimited plan to lose as I did with VZW, so it's a net gain for me.
  • Funny, no one talking about Sprint now are they? ----------------------------------------------------
    My S-Pen went through hell to deliver this important message to you
  • I love having Sprint, great LTE speeds with unlimited data for life, guaranteed :) Posted via Android Central App
  • I fear for the cell phone landscape here in the US... Verizon and AT&T essentially have a duopoly due to coverage(yeah, I know there are some areas where sprint and t-mo have great coverage- too few and far between), and a SINGLE line with ONE Gb of data starts at what, $90? They keep saying all these changes will be of better value to "95%" of their customers, and quite frankly that's bullshit. They're locking customers into high prices for data while they can, knowing full well mobile internet usage is only going to skyrocket, and then they're just going to fuck us even harder.
  • I have no contract at all, so I am guessing that my very old rate is safe.
  • I love T-Mobile Posted via Android Central App
  • I'm still on a contract for a few more months. Tried switching to Simple Choice plan and they are still slapping me with $100 migration fee. I guess I can't break free until I got the letter. Posted from my GS III via Android Central App