T-Mobile, the third-largest wireless carrier in the United States, has made a subtle but distinct increase in its premium “One Plus” add-on that comprises its best “unlimited” data plan. The increase comes in the wake of cooling merger talks among giants within the wireless market.
Just recently, Sprint and T-Mobile were discussing a potential merger. However, those talks were put on hiatus so Sprint could shift focus to discussing potential partnerships with Comcast and Charter Communications.
T-Mobile’s premium plan features unlimited high-definition video streaming and faster tethering for devices that utilize the phone’s Internet connection. After originally costing $75, the current plan’s price has increased to $80. T-Mobile’s basic unlimited plan saw a decrease in quality of streamed video to DVD, and offers more limited tethering at $70.
T-Mobile’s premium “One Plus” unlimited plan was first introduced last year at $85 for a single line, but dropped to $75 after Verizon and AT&T started featuring HD video and improved tethering options in their top unlimited packages. Raising their “One Plus” plan to $80 matches T-Mobile with the price of Verizon’s unlimited plan.
Despite confirming the price increase, T-Mobile declined to make any further comments.
According to T-Mobile, the pricing change does seem to indicate the conclusion of a company promotion, which only applied to newly signed up members. The baseline unlimited plan presently offers video with quality limited to 480p without the One Plus add-on. Despite how recent T-Mobile’s “One Plus” is, the price change marks the first of its kind since the plan was first introduced.
Until recently, wireless carriers have been fiercely competing for customers using their new unlimited data plans. Sprint, for example, recently offered up to five unlimited data lines a year at $90/month. AT&T reduced its unlimited plan prices, while offering $25/month credits for any of its pay video services. Prior to this recent price increase, T-Mobile even eliminated added taxes and fees that equated to a 10 percent price cut.
