Editorials · Readers Voice
T-Mobile customers need to be careful what they wish for
T-Mobile customers yearn for cheaper plans, but lower prices would come with a downside.
This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
MNOs like T-Mobile are expensive for a reason. | Image by newtraditionmedia
Despite their carrier's insistence that modern phone plans offer better value, many customers feel left out in the cold. They are struggling to make sense of bills that quietly creep upward. T-Mobile customers, in particular, long for the good old days when plans were cheap. Could the rumored T-Mix plans turn things around?
T-Mobile is expected to roll out a new plan featuring an updated perk system later this month. When news first broke, we polled our readers to see what they actually wanted.
Out of 729 participants, an overwhelming 541 (74%) just wanted a cheaper plan. Another 138 (19%) hoped for more free perks, while 50 (7%) readers wanted freedom from contracts.
More details have emerged since then, lending weight to what most already suspected: T-Mobile isn't going to lower prices across the board. The new plans might offer better overall value due to a lower entry tier and the removal of the AutoPay discount restriction.
T-Mobile could theoretically slash prices, but it would be running itself into the ground to do so.
Everyone complains about rising phone bills, yet very few people actually leave. Postpaid customers are used to network reliability, handset deals, and perks that MVNOs can't replicate. T-Mobile could lower prices; it just wouldn't be able to stay competitive with AT&T and Verizon if it did.
A new announcement is on the horizon
T-Mobile is expected to roll out a new plan featuring an updated perk system later this month. When news first broke, we polled our readers to see what they actually wanted.
What do you want T-Mobile to announce?
733 Votes
Pipe dreams
More details have emerged since then, lending weight to what most already suspected: T-Mobile isn't going to lower prices across the board. The new plans might offer better overall value due to a lower entry tier and the removal of the AutoPay discount restriction.
Facilities-based providers are more expensive than MVNOs for a reason. They build and maintain their own network infrastructure, pouring massive sums into network expansion and infrastructure upgrades to keep up with cellular technology.
T-Mobile could theoretically slash prices, but it would be running itself into the ground to do so.
Why not just switch to an MVNO?
However, the Big Three prioritize their own customers during times of congestion.
MVNOs also typically don't have a retail footprint, and their leaner structure means in-person help is practically non-existent. These are largely the reasons MVNOs have a higher churn rate than MNOs, though it can also be argued that the absence of contracts and convergence and a lack of handset deals with multi-year financing plans make it easier for MVNO customers to leave on a whim.
All talk, no action
Everyone complains about rising phone bills, yet very few people actually leave. Postpaid customers are used to network reliability, handset deals, and perks that MVNOs can't replicate. T-Mobile could lower prices; it just wouldn't be able to stay competitive with AT&T and Verizon if it did.
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