T-Mobile has launched its latest Un-carrier event, which it calls “Stock Up,” to offer a free full share of the carrier’s common stock to all existing and new customers to thank them for their business, as well as the potential to earn up to 100 free stock shares a year by recommending the company to friends and family members.
The company unveiled the Stock-Up Un-carrier event on June 6 in a nationwide online simulcast, along with several other Un-carrier 11 benefits, such as a T-Mobile Tuesdays app that lets customers take advantage of special offers and prizes from third-party vendors, and a free hour of Gogo in-flight WiFi connectivity to T-Mobile customers on all Gogo-equipped domestic flights in the United States.
The company’s Un-carrier initiatives, which it has been unveiling for several years, are designed to show customers that T-Mobile is not a stodgy mobile carrier, which is how the company identifies its key competitors, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon.
T-Mobile CEO and President John Legere announced the “Get Thanked” Un-carrier 11 moves. The stock share giveaway “could turn millions of T-Mobile customers into T-Mobile owners—something no other publicly traded company has done before,” Legere said in a statement. “The Un-carrier is offering a full share of T-Mobile U.S. (TMUS) common stock to millions of existing and new customers. And customers can grow their ownership up to 100 shares a year by doing what they’re already doing—recommending T-Mobile.” Customers who receive recommendations must switch to T-Mobile to grant the free share to the individual who made the original recommendation.
The primary user of a T-Mobile account will be eligible for the offer, the company said. Any new T-Mobile Simple Choice customers who switch to T-Mobile starting June 7 will also automatically qualify for a full, free share of T-Mobile U.S. stock when they open a new postpaid consumer smartphone account.
In addition, T-Mobile is giving customers who have been with the company for five or more years two full shares for each customer they get to switch to T-Mobile until 2017.
“For me, there’s no higher praise than hearing a customer say they recommend T-Mobile to family and friends, so we wanted to get this right,” said Legere. “And, what better way to thank you than sharing in the future of our company? Now, T-Mobile customers own the place.”
Also unveiled was the new T-Mobile Tuesdays app, which “thanks T-Mobile customers with free stuff and epic prizes” every Tuesday through partnerships with brands such as Gilt, Domino’s, StubHub, Wendy’s, VUDU, Fandango, Legendary Pictures, Universal Pictures, Lyft and more, according to T-Mobile. Under the program, for example, T-Mobile customers will be eligible for a free takeout medium two-topping Domino’s pizza, a free small Wendy’s Frosty and a free movie rental from Walmart’s VUDU video on-demand service each week, according to T-Mobile.
“Until further notice, we’re treating our customers to dinner and a movie—all to say ‘Thank you,'” said Legere. Other offers will continue to be announced, he added.
Other prizes will include larger awards, such as a trip on a party bus to a private screening of Warcraft along with 40 friends and all the candy, popcorn and soda they can handle; a trip for two to Las Vegas to stay at Mandalay Bay with tickets to see UB40 at the Mandalay Bay Beach and roll VIP style at Luxor’s LAX Nightclub; and a trip to MLB All-Star week in San Diego for two with exclusive access to the Home Run Derby press conference and batting practice to see the top players up close and personal, according to T-Mobile.
“Get ready for a gratitude adjustment, America,” said Legere. “This Un-carrier move is all about giving you a good thanking. No strings. No gotchas. Just ‘thank you for being a customer.'”
The free hour of Gogo WiFi on every Gogo-equipped flight applies to smartphone use, according to T-Mobile. Texting on Gogo remains free for Un-carrier customers for the entire flight under existing benefits.
T-Mobile’s previous Un-carrier events have brought unlimited video streaming, unlimited music streaming, rebates to switch carriers, roll-over monthly data and more for the company’s customers. In November 2015, T-Mobile unveiled its then-new Binge-On free unlimited video streaming to all customers who had at least a 3GB monthly data plan, according to an earlier eWEEK story.