Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Android
    • Android
    • Apple
    • Blogs
    • First Read

    T-Mobile Has Been Quietly Offering Data-Only Mobile Plans

    By
    Todd R. Weiss
    -
    March 31, 2016
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      T-Mobile data-only plans

      Earlier this week, a report surfaced that T-Mobile would begin offering data-only mobile plans to its customers, in much the same way it already offers data-only Internet plans to tablet customers.

      Well, the rumor, fascinating as it was, was a bit right and a bit wrong, and I want to explain what we have since discovered about it all here at eWEEK.

      It turns out that T-Mobile has been offering these data-only mobile plans, which also include unlimited texting, to hearing-impaired customers for as many as 10 years, according to a T-Mobile spokesman who commented anonymously about the report.

      And while the original March 28 rumor story quoted a draft T-Mobile sales announcement which said the company would be launching new Simple Choice Data Only plans on March 30, the report was actually based on a “leak” by someone who didn’t have accurate information, the spokesman told eWEEK.

      The sales announcement was only sent out to T-Mobile sales associates and T-Mobile partner retailers to update the latest pricing for the data tiers available for the data-only plans, according to the spokesman. The company had “no plans” to announce it as a new service, since it already exists as an option for customers.

      The announcement sent out to T-Mobile retailers “got a little bit blown out of proportion,” the spokesman said. “It leaked and became a thing.”

      The data-only plans are not listed on T-Mobile’s main Web pages, but is mentioned on the site’s accessibility page. “T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Data Only/Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) plans provide unlimited data and messaging services to customer phones without the need for voice services,” the page states.

      All customers have been eligible to purchase the data-only plans since they were established years ago, the spokesman said, but they were not highly publicized by the mobile carrier.

      Customers can sign up for data-only plans in T-Mobile stores or by calling the company. Sign-ups are not possible through the company’s Website.

      The data-only plans allow customers to buy data in 2GB to 22GB monthly packages and also include unlimited texting. A 2GB data plan costs $20 a month, while a 6GB plan costs $35 a month. A 10GB plan is $50, a 14GB plan is $65, an 18GB plan is $80 and a 22GB plan costs $95 per month. The rates are the same that T-Mobile already offers for tablet users.

      So while the data-only plans may not be new, they certainly are intriguing. They could work well for users who take advantage of WiFi or services such as Skype for their calling while ending the idea of paying for voice minutes they rarely would use.

      It even makes me think about carrying one handset for voice calls with a cheap unlimited monthly calling and a minimal data plan, and another smartphone with T-Mobile for big buckets of cheaper data without monthly account fees.

      That could be quite a combination. Excuse me while I go figure out the math for this possibility.

      Todd R. Weiss
      As a technology journalist covering enterprise IT for more than 15 years, I joined eWEEK.com in September 2014 as the site's senior writer covering all things mobile. I write about smartphones, tablets, laptops, assorted mobile gadgets and services,mobile carriers and much more. I formerly was a staff writer for Computerworld.com from 2000 to 2008 and previously wrote for daily newspapers in eastern Pennsylvania. I'm an avid traveler, motorcyclist, technology lover, cook, reader, tinkerer and mechanic. I drove a yellow taxicab in college and collect toy taxis and taxi business cards from around the world.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×