It’s not often that T-Mobile introduces a whole new rate plan, but today that’s exactly what the carrier has done.
T-Mobile Essentials is a new plan that aims to offer just the basics of a smartphone plan. It’s got unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data, as well as some benefits like unlimited 3G mobile hotspot and T-Mobile Tuesdays. Customers also get unlimited talk, text, and 2G data in Mexico and Canada as well unlimited texting and $0.25 per minute calling in other international destinations.
What’s not included in T-Mobile Essentials are features like free Netflix for family plans. T-Mo also says that if you switch to the new plan, you will lose discounts on service like free line promotions, but you can keep most device promos when you’re getting monthly bill credits. Also of note is that taxes and fees are extra with T-Mobile Essentials. Video streaming on the new plan is limited to 480p quality, and during times of network congestion, T-Mobile Essentials customers may encounter slower speeds.
T-Mobile Essentials will be available beginning August 10th. Pricing starts at $60 per month for a single line and goes up to $30 per month for the second line and $15 per month for lines 3-6. These prices do include autopay. If you decide to skip autopay, you’ll have to pony up $5 more per month.
There will be some extras available for the T-Mobile Essentials plan for customers who need them. A $5 24-hour Global Pass will give 512MB of up to 4G LTE data plus unlimited calling in Mexico, Canada, and other international destinations. If you’d like to upgrade to 4G LTE mobile hotspot, you can pay $10 per month to get 10GB at LTE speeds.
Having more options is always a good thing, and that’s what T-Mobile Essentials gives T-Mo customers. If you just want a plan for your smartphone and don’t need extras like Netflix or add-ons for heavy international usage, the new T-Mobile Essentials plan can help you save a little cash each month.
One other tidbit in today’s announcement is that T-Mobile is increasing the high-speed mobile hotspot allotment included with T-Mobile One Plus. The add-on currently offers 10GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, but that’ll be bumped up to 20GB starting August 10th. The price of T-Mobile One Plus will also be increasing, going to $15 per month for a single line. Family plans can get One Plus for $10 per month per line.
Source: T-Mobile