Just today, T-Mobile announced two new Home Internet plans, including one called Away for frequent travelers. On the heel of that report comes a new rumor that says T-Mobile may restrict where you can take the 5G gateway device that's required for converting 5G signals into Wi-Fi.
Since T-Mobile's Home Internet uses over-the-air 5G, you should be able to use it anywhere 5G is available. Since it's officially billed as an alternative to wired connection though, you are technically only allowed to use it at one address.
Of course, that didn't stop anyone from taking their gateway device anywhere they wanted and presumably because T-Mobile has another plan (Away) specifically for those who want to be able to connect to 5G on the go, the carrier is now trying to restrict where you can use the device.
The device already had an integrated GPS but it was never put to use. Now we know why it was there: to track users to enforce location requirements.
The Mobile Report has seen a document that says T-Mobile is going to track where you are using your Home Internet plan and notify you if you use it at a location different from the approved address.
The carrier tries to justify this address validation by saying that its home internet services are designed to be used at specific place with sufficient capacity to ensure a good experience.
T-Mobile customers using their gateway at any location other than the address they signed up at will be asked to either move back their gateway, change the address on their account, or switch to a new plan.
Most users are likely to be annoyed with this policy for different reasons. For instance, until now, it was possible to use Home Internet even in areas where is wasn't officially available by using an alternate address and now that won't be possible. Some might be shocked that T-Mobile employees used nearby addresses to sign them up instead of using their actual address.
T-Mobile will begin notifying users not complying with location requirements on May 8.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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