T-Mobile updates some plans to remove price guarantees

T-Mobile is charging ahead with acquisitions to boost its fiber footprint, doubling down on its convergence strategy. Aside from bringing new fiber companies into its fold, the company is also shaking up its plans, mostly for the better.

Lower price with a catch

Until April 29, T-Mobile's T-Fiber service started at $55 per month for 500Mbps with a promotional discount and AutoPay. For voice customers, the 1Gbps and 2Gbps tiers sat at $65 and $70, respectively.

Without those discounts, prices went up to $65, $85, and $105 for 500Mbps, 1Gbps, and 2Gbps, respectively. 

The plans also included a 5-year price lock.

That's changing, as The Mobile Report highlighted before the change went into effect.

The prices are now the same for everyone, regardless of whether you have a mobile plan with T-Mobile. The cheapest plan now starts at $45, but speed was lowered to 300Mbps.

The 1Gbps plan is also more affordable at $60, but there is a trade-off: the price guarantee has been removed.

Lower entry point

The minimum you have to pay for T-Fiber has dropped by $10, which is great for light users. However, with the 500Mbps tier retired, some customers might find themselves upgrading to the 1Gbps plan to get the speed they need.

While it might look like T-Mobile wireless customers lost their exclusive discount, that's not necessarily true, as prices have been reduced across the board.

What has changed, though, is that everyone can now enjoy lower rates, which is one less string attached.

The only downside, and a glaring one at that, is that the 5-year price guarantee has been removed.

Prices may go up, but probably won't

Removing the price lock gives T-Mobile the freedom to raise prices anytime it wants, though that's unlikely to happen. Apparently, the company doesn't want to infuriate customers.

Regardless of the criticism T-Mobile has received over the last few years, it usually lets customers keep their rates for years.

Simplifying offerings

T-Mobile expanded its broadband portfolio this month by acquiring GoNetspeed, Greenlight Networks, and i3 Broadband through joint ventures. The acquisitions are projected to bring T-Mobile Fiber to 1 million more households across the Northeast and Midwest.

While T-Mobile claims to be the fastest-growing broadband provider, it still trails AT&T and Verizon in the fiber market. The company is looking to bridge that gap by acquiring companies with fiber infrastructure.

As it scales by striking partnerships, it has done the right thing by simplifying the plans.

The previous terms were a trifle complicated and underwhelming. The phone line stipulation made T-Fiber a little less inviting for non-T-Mobile customers.

Straying further from Un-carrier roots

While we can count on T-Mobile not to increase T-Fiber rates as it looks to make its mark in a competitive market, there's no certainty anymore.

The guarantee was floated as a reason to switch to T-Mobile Fiber when the service was formally launched last year.

With T-Mobile lowering rates and only then removing the guarantee, customers can hope not to pay more than they would with the older rates and a price lock.

Still, the move is another reminder of the abandonment of Un-carrier values. It also makes you wonder if the same will be done for other services in the future.