New Connect Plans Starting 3/25

**ecs0013** · 03-21-2022, 12:14 PM

Looks like T-Mobile is officially announcing the increases for the $15 and $25 plans and adding a new $10 and $35 tier: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/offers...t-mobile-plans

BELLEVUE, Wash. — March 21, 2022 — T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today announced the new Connect by T-Mobile prepaid plans, including a new $10 plan.

Designed for those who want no-frills wireless from multi-carrier retail channels, Connect by T-Mobile provides a low-cost option to help keep millions of families and individuals – especially those hard hit by rising inflation and economic uncertainty – connected to family, friends, work, school, and information. Connect by T-Mobile is part of the Un-carrier’s 5G for Good initiative and builds on the T-Mobile Connect plans launched in March 2020 to keep Americans connected during the pandemic.

Connect by T-Mobile prepaid plans range from the super affordable $10 plan to a $35 plan for those who want more data.

$10 per month plus tax, the lowest price smartphone plan ever from the Un-carrier, that includes 1000 minutes of talk, 1000 texts and 1GB of high-speed smartphone data.
$15 per month plus tax for unlimited talk and text, plus 3GB of high-speed smartphone data.
$25 per month plus tax for unlimited talk and text, plus 6GB of high-speed smartphone data.
$35 per month plus tax, for unlimited talk, text and 12 GB of high-speed smartphone data.

Connect by T-Mobile plans also include Un-carrier benefits like Scam Shield protection and free Caller ID included in the rate plan, and access to T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network with no credit check required. Plans will be available starting Friday, March 25, 2022, online, in T-Mobile stores and in multi-carrier retailers across the US.

To find out more visit https://connectbyt-mobile.com

Two thoughts from this: it seems they're redoing the Connect "branding" and it feels very much in line with Metro...perhaps eventually all the in-house prepaid products will fall under that? Also, the new $35 plan might make the $40 plan obsolete (my guess is that you'd lose Music Unlimited and T-Mobile Tuesdays.)

**dmarkson** · 03-21-2022, 04:57 PM

These may be all new plans so even the $15 and $25 may not add 500mb per year like the current ones. Also domestic roaming may no longer be included. Will have to wait for details.

**zigner** · 03-22-2022, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by dmarkson

These may be all new plans so even the $15 and $25 may not add 500mb per year like the current ones. Also domestic roaming may no longer be included. Will have to wait for details.

They are not all new plans. The $15 and $25 plans, right from the beginning, were advertised as getting an additional 500mb a month data, each year, and the name of the plan is still T-mobile Connect. They will continue to get more data for at least 2 more years under this plan.

**ecs0013** · 03-22-2022, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by zigner

They are not all new plans. The $15 and $25 plans, right from the beginning, were advertised as getting an additional 500mb a month data, each year, and the name of the plan is still T-mobile Connect. They will continue to get more data for at least 2 more years under this plan.

While I'm going to assume these are going to continue, I think dmarkson's thought could happen (very slim, but could) - people on the current plans would be grandfathered with the increases, while anyone new will be on the new version of the plan. Considering these are so low-frills as it is, I doubt it would happen (stopping the data increases, losing 100MB of roaming, and forcing a new data priority tier seem like a lot of work when the plans are already kind of basic and probably not straining the network).

They did this when they changed the prepaid Mobile Internet plans—there's still a $10/2GB option, but they changed the plan name from Simple Choice North America to Mobile Internet behind the scenes. The only big difference was that they lost T-Mobile Tuesdays access, but it was a different plan at the same price for the same cost.

**zigner** · 03-22-2022, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by ecs0013

While I'm going to assume these are going to continue, I think dmarkson's thought could happen (very slim, but could) - people on the current plans would be grandfathered with the increases, while anyone new will be on the new version of the plan. Considering these are so low-frills as it is, I doubt it would happen (stopping the data increases, losing 100MB of roaming, and forcing a new data priority tier seem like a lot of work when the plans are already kind of basic and probably not straining the network).

They did this when they changed the prepaid Mobile Internet plans—there's still a $10/2GB option, but they changed the plan name from Simple Choice North America to Mobile Internet behind the scenes. The only big difference was that they lost T-Mobile Tuesdays access, but it was a different plan at the same price for the same cost.

You might be forgetting an important fact. Offering these T-Mobile Connect plans were part of the agreement with regulators to allow the Sprint merger to take place. So, it is extremely unlikely that they are going to back off these plans or change them significantly, else they risk violating their agreements. After 2 more years, maybe then they might alter plans. But the long term decline in wireless data pricing is still going to the wind at lower rate's back.

**ecs0013** · 03-23-2022, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by zigner

You might be forgetting an important fact. Offering these T-Mobile Connect plans were part of the agreement with regulators to allow the Sprint merger to take place. So, it is extremely unlikely that they are going to back off these plans or change them significantly, else they risk violating their agreements. After 2 more years, maybe then they might alter plans. But the long term decline in wireless data pricing is still going to the wind at lower rate's back.

Agreed...if they were to change that, it might get a slap on the wrist or a stern talking-to from regulators, but the backlash and exposure of "one more thing that wasn't as promised" would probably not be worth trying to pull a fast one. Considering how much of the industry seems to have landed on a $15-$20 2-3GB and $25-$30 5GB sweet spot, I don't see these going away after the duration either...at least not how AT&T/Cricket offered a $15 plan only to increase the price after a few months.

**bobdevnul** · 03-23-2022, 12:48 PM

I saw somewhere else that these new Connect plans require a 5G phone. That might be an issue for some people.

**clonehappy** · 03-23-2022, 10:10 PM

That is not true.

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**bobdevnul** · 03-23-2022, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by clonehappy

That is not true.

Actually it is true that a 5G phone is required for the new Connect plans. Read the fine print in the linked announcement.

"Connect: Plus taxes & fees. SIM starter kit may be required. Domestic use only. After allotted high-speed data is used, data unavailable until next bill cycle for Connect plans, not eligible for unlimited data or 10GB hotspot features. On all plans, video streams at 480p. Unlimited on device and on network only. 5G: Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Downlink only. Some uses may require certain plan or feature. See details at t-mobile.com."

[Correction] The colon after 5G would mean that at 5G capable device is required to get 5G. The colon is nearly invisible in the fine print of the linked announcement.

**Yeswap** · 03-24-2022, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by bobdevnul

Actually it is true that a 5G phone is required for the new Connect plans. Read the fine print in the linked announcement.

"Connect: Plus taxes & fees. SIM starter kit may be required. Domestic use only. After allotted high-speed data is used, data unavailable until next bill cycle for Connect plans, not eligible for unlimited data or 10GB hotspot features. On all plans, video streams at 480p. Unlimited on device and on network only. 5G: Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Downlink only. Some uses may require certain plan or feature. See details at t-mobile.com."

I'm sure that just means you need a capable device to get 5G. Note the colon between "5G" and "Capable device required."

**@TheRealDanny** · 03-24-2022, 02:00 AM

I know there is no 10 GB hotspot feature but can you use your allotted data allowance for it?

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**zigner** · 03-24-2022, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Yeswap

I'm sure that just means you need a capable device to get 5G. Note the colon between "5G" and "Capable device required."

Exactly! No change there either.

**ecs0013** · 03-24-2022, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by @TheRealDanny

I know there is no 10 GB hotspot feature but can you use your allotted data allowance for it?

Yes, any or all of the data allowance can be used for hotspot.

**bobdevnul** · 03-24-2022, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Yeswap

I'm sure that just means you need a capable device to get 5G. Note the colon between "5G" and "Capable device required."

Good catch. The colon is nearly invisible in the fine print of the announcement.

**ecs0013** · 03-24-2022, 08:47 PM

Just thought I’d share - my $25 plan is now showing 6GB…at this point, I can only change to the $15 plan. Both still show 2.5/5.5GB in the description.