Upcoming T-Mobile plan might give customers access to a prized 5G tech

After several delays, T-Mobile appears ready to launch the alleged T-Mix plans. The carrier has apparently completed the technical work needed to launch the plans, including integrations with new perks. Some fresh details have emerged about the new plans, offering more clues into how they will differ from existing plans.

The core features

T-Mix is expected to have three tiers, like older T-Mobile plans. However, these new plans will also award you picks based on the tier and the number of lines, which will be needed for add-ons and phone promos. It appears that some of the perks that were previously standard will now cost picks.

The picks used for phone deals will be tied up for the duration of a 36-month installment period. You will be able to reallocate picks spent on a perk once per quarter, during the first ten days.

The entry-level T-Mix Standard plan will start at $65 for one line. The per-line cost will decrease as you add more lines, but a maximum of six lines is allowed on this plan.

T-Mix More will start at $85, and T-Mix Loaded will start at $105. They are expected to be similar to Experience More and Experience Beyond, but lines nine through twelve will be cheaper on the new plans.

The eight-line AutoPay limit will reportedly not apply to these plans.

T-Mobile might announce T-Mix this week. Otherwise, the rollout could be delayed until at least November.

Uninterrupted video calls

T-Mobile offers a tech called network slicing to its business customers. It virtually divides and optimizes cellular bandwidth for specialized use cases. The dedicated capacity ensures reliability during times of congestion.

Apparently, T-Mix Loaded will feature a new "Optimized Video Calls" benefit that optimizes network performance for video calls. The feature requires a device that supports Standalone 5G, hinting that it will use network slicing.

First impressions

The T-Mix plans sound unnecessarily complicated. However, there's a method to this madness. T-Mobile is essentially clawing back the value it provides to customers by associating picks with promos and add-ons.

Unless you add three or more lines on More or Loaded, not even two people on your account will be able to snag handset deals.

A new direction

Last month, Verizon CEO Dan Schulman said he wanted to stop offering phone discounts. It looks like T-Mobile is the one acting on it. With phones getting more expensive and the carrier industry being one of the most margin-starved, perhaps it's not surprising that generous phone promos will soon be a relic of the past.