At the end of August we were able to obtain a screenshot indicating that T-Mobile was adding pay-per-use data plans to all T-Mobile smartphones that did not currently have an active data plan. The effective date for this plan change was September 15th and T-Mobile customers were supposed to receive notification through one of three methods, sms notification, bill insert or email notification regarding the account change.

As it turns out, a lot of customers are unhappy about this change, many claiming they were never told of any changes and incurring charges because of it. Accordingly, T-Mobile isn’t allowing for a lot of leniency for customers who claim they were not notified about the change.

T-Mobile’s Official Statement follows:

T-Mobile customers without monthly data plans now have access to data on their handsets via Mobile Web Pay Per Use. For $1.99 per MB, T-Mobile customers have the web at their fingertips and can add a different data plan to their service plan as their needs may grow.

Before the Mobile Web Pay Per Use feature was added to their handsets, T-Mobile customers were notified via bill insert, SMS, email, or at the time they signed up for or renewed service. In addition, prior to using the web on their devices for the first time, customers should receive an alert notifying them of the $1.99 per MB charges. T-Mobile customers may opt out of this data feature by calling T-Mobile Customer Care at 1-800-937-8997 or by visiting their local retail location.

Have you had any trouble with this charge?

At least one fellow blogger has found himself fighting T-Mobile over this matter.