T-Mobile USA is shaking up its
no-contract plans for its tablets, mobile hotspots and USB modems.
The operator announced Thursday new
prepaid pricing for the data-only devices that will add 2 GB to its most
expensive mobile broadband plan and change the cost and amount of data offered
in its other plans.
Overall, the new pricing structure is
cheaper per megabyte than the current prepaid mobile broadband plans. The rates
go into effect on May 20.
Its $50 data-only monthly prepaid plan
currently offers 3 GB for 30 days. When the new plans roll out Sunday, the $50
plan will come with 5 GB of data.
Its $10 weekly plan with 100 MB will be
replaced by a $15 plan that comes with 300 MB, triple the amount of data
offered under the current rate structure. Its $30 monthly 1 GB plan will be
supplanted by a less expensive plan that costs $25 for 1.5 GB of data.
Customers also will be offered a new $35 plan with 3.5 GB.
“Although most of our mobile broadband
customers choose postpaid rate plans for the best device prices and data rates,
we know that many of our customers want the flexibility to be able to
experience mobile broadband without committing to an annual contract up front,”
T-Mobile USA Vice President of Marketing Jeremy Korst said in a statement.
The plans also will have “new
features like an auto-refill option and a simpler purchase experience,”
Korst said.
Devices being offered with the new plans
include the Samsung Galaxy Tab, SpringBoard with Google, Sonic 4G mobile
hotspot and Rocket laptop stick.
T-Mobile is working to make its services
more competitive as part of a broader turnaround strategy. The company is in
the process of rolling out LTE and re-launching its brand, changes that have
resulted in more than 2,000 layoffs to free up resources for the massive
project.
Prepaid services have remained strong
for T-Mobile even as it has continued to suffer losses in its postpaid base.
During the first quarter, it lost 510,000 contract customers, but the addition
of prepaid subscribers, connected devices and wholesale customers offset the
postpaid defections.