Today is barely half over and it’s already one of the most eventful days in recent T-Mobile memory and we’re working hard to keep the information flowing and believe me, there’s plenty more coming today. First things first, let’s talk iPhone, Apple and the move to 100% Value Plans. It looks like employees are just receiving a fairly lengthy FAQ guide to better help them in the coming days as customers start asking about the future. There’s little question that both the iPhone and the move to Value Plans represent a definitive change in T-Mobile’s thinking and we expect some shock value while it begins to play itself out.
First things first, as the very last question below answers, for current Classic/Legacy Plan subscribers, the change to Value Plans won’t affect you. Value Plans will “simply be the primary plans T-Mobile will offer.” In other words, you’ll continue with a business as usual approach. It’s possible that T-Mobile, like other carriers will work to move you over to Value Plans with your next upgrade, but there doesn’t seem to be any indication they will force you to switch.
Read the guide blow and if you’d like a look at todays full Investor presentation for T-Mobile USA, you can grab the full PDF (where I grabbed the picture above) at the link below.
T-Mobile & Apple Partnership
On December 6 at a Deutsche Telekom (DT) investor conference in Germany, T-Mobile publically disclosed that it has entered into an agreement with Apple to bring products to market together next year. Specific Apple products and retail availability were not announced. This was a public disclosure to provide 2013 financial guidance as investors evaluate the proposed combined company of T-Mobile and MetroPCS.
The agreement with Apple has generated significant media coverage. While the news is creating customer excitement, it’s important to not speculate about specific Apple products, timing or pricing. These details will be announced at later date in 2013.
Key Talking Points:
- Thank you for your interest in the agreement with Apple.
- We look forward to working with Apple to bring products to market next year.
- Specific Apple products, timing or pricing have not been announced.
- I don’t have other details to share at this time.
- Additional details will be provided closer to the date of product availability sometime next year.
FAQS
iPhone Questions
What news was announced regarding the iPhone?
- T-Mobile confirmed that the company has entered into an agreement with Apple to bring products to market together next year. Additional details will be provided closer to the date of product availability sometime next year.
- Which iPhone will you carry? Are you timing the launch for the next version of iPhone?
- All I can confirm is that we plan to bring products to market with Apple next year.
When will the iPhone be available?
- At this time, we have only announced that we have entered into an agreement with Apple to bring products to market together next year.
- Additional details will be provided closer to the date of product availability sometime next year.
- If you’re interested in upgrading, now and throughout the new year is a great time to get the latest T-Mobile 4G smartphones.
- We have a number of compelling promotions, including great pricing on the hottest smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S III.
- We also have the latest and greatest devices this holiday, including Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note II and the Nexus 4, as well as Windows Phone 8 like the Nokia Lumia 810 and the Windows Phone 8X by HTC.
Can I order/reserve an iPhone now?
- No. We have only announced that we’ve made an agreement with Apple to bring products to market next year.
- While we don’t sell the iPhone today, we do support unlocked iPhones on our network (Sprint iPhones will not work on our network).
- Apple began selling an unlocked iPhone 5 a few weeks ago.
- With our Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plans, customers save $50/month compared to AT&T.
- Note: Savings based on comparison of T-Mobile $69.99/mo Unlimited Talk, Text and Data plan against AT&T Unlimited Talk, Text, and 5GB Smartphone Data plan. Does not include taxes, fees, or promotional offers. Plan features and limitations vary.
What pricing/plans will T-Mobile offer for the iPhone?
- I don’t have other details to share at this time. Additional details will be provided closer to the date of product availability sometime next year.
Should I wait to get the iPhone next year?
- Now is a great time to get the latest 4G smartphones with T-Mobile.
- Now and throughout the new year we have a number of compelling promotions, including great pricing on the hottest smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S III.
- We also have the latest and greatest devices this holiday, including Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note II and the Nexus 4, as well as Windows Phone 8 like the Nokia Lumia 810 and the Windows Phone 8X by HTC.
- If you want to begin using an iPhone today, we do support unlocked iPhones on our network (Sprint iPhones will not work on our network).
- Apple began selling an unlocked iPhone 5 a few weeks ago. With our Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plans, customers save $50/month compared to AT&T.
- Note: Savings based on comparison of T-Mobile $69.99/mo Unlimited Talk, Text and Data plan against AT&T Unlimited Talk, Text, and 5GB Smartphone Data plan. Does not include taxes, fees, or promotional offers. Plan features and limitations vary.
Will you continue carrying other smartphones or will the iPhone replace an existing device or partnership?
- We remain committed to providing T-Mobile customers with choice and flexibility at a great overall value and will continue to enhance our device line-up with the best technology in partnership with multiple device makers.
What have you done to ensure that the customer experience will be as good as with other carriers?
- We are already supporting iOS through our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. We also are investing in our network to make it faster and more reliable, which will benefit all of our customers.
Will your network support a 4G and/or LTE iPhone? (
- Details on Apple products will be available at a later date.
What about the BYOD program? Any changes?
- There are no changes to our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. This is a great option if you want to begin using an iPhone today. We do support unlocked iPhones on our network (Sprint iPhones will not work on our network). Apple began selling an unlocked iPhone 5 a few weeks ago.
Will I get a good network experience with an unlocked iPhone?
- We continue to strengthen our already competitive 4G experience in major metro areas across the country.
- With these upgrades, customers benefit from enhanced voice and data coverage and faster speeds.
- Customers in these metro areas can also bring their unlocked iPhone to T-Mobile, and experience a significant speed boost on our 4G network.
- We have already upgraded our network in Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Washington D.C.
- T-Mobile network advancements also continue in additional cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York metro area, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle.
100% Value Questions
Is T-Mobile moving to 100% Value in 2013?
- Yes, we’re innovating on our Value plans in 2013.
- We’re committed to providing service plan options that offer the best value to our customers and our Value Plans embody that.
- With the Value Plan, you have the option to bring your own device or get a device from T-Mobile with a low down payment and the remainder of the purchase price to be financed over a 20-month period with the Equipment Installment Plan.
When will T-Mobile shift to only offering Value Plans?
- We will have more information to share in the coming months.
What are the benefits of Value Plans?
- Transparent Pricing/Cost Savings: Value Plans offers some of our most affordable pricing and cost savings vs. competitors.
- Flexible Options: Value Plans make it easy to:
- Add a line to your plan
- Upgrade your device on your own terms. With our Equipment Installation Plan (EIP) option, you choose when you can purchase a new device.
- BYOD – Through T-Mobile’s “bring your own device program,” Value Plan customers can save even more versus our competitors.
I am on a Classic plan. Will I have to change to a Value plan?
- No. Value plans will simply be the primary plans T-Mobile will offer, in addition to our no contract plans. We will have more information to share in the coming months.