Grandfathered plans going away? And what might this mean for prepaid plans?

mogelijk · Oct 15, 2013

It's been reported that T-Mobile is ending many of it's grandfathered plans, in particular plans with limited minutes and texts, and instead offering similar priced plans with unlimited minutes and texts. From what I can tell, they are putting them on current Value Plans at a discounted rates.

To me, it appears that T-Mobile is wanting to be able to no longer track the number of minutes/texts that customers use, and I can see how that could save T-Mobile money. If this happens, does this mean that prepaid plans that have limited minutes will also be phased out? And, if so, what might it mean for those of us on the $30/month 100 minute plan with 5 GB data?

jhawkkw · Oct 15, 2013

Yikes, I was really counting on keeping my 30 dollar plan for a while. I'll definitely have to keep close attention to this. My guess is that this only applies to postpaid though.

mogelijk · Oct 15, 2013

jhawkkw said:
Yikes, I was really counting on keeping my 30 dollar plan for a while. I'll definitely have to keep close attention to this.

As I've thought about it, I almost think if they get rid of the $30 plan, they may need to "grandfather" the current $30 customers in some way. It seems to me that there are a significant chunk of customers on that $30 plan that T-Mobile can't really afford to lose -- granted, they don't make much money off of us but they still can't afford to lose a significant percentage of subscribers.

I wonder if they might come up with a "grandfathered" plan they move us to; maybe something with unlimited minutes and texts but keeping the 5 GB data, the question is what price they would charge.

saptech · Oct 15, 2013

It does look like they are talking about older plans people had with unlimited postpaid. I would assume it doesn't affect the prepaid plans. I'm looking foward to switching to the $30 prepaid plan myself in December.

gtbarry · Oct 15, 2013

I read that as more of getting rid of the much older plans - like Family Share. When I read "legacy plans" and "grandfathered" I think of plans which they are obligated to honor, but no longer offer. Which I was still on until earlier this year and when I went in and asked to update they were thrilled to talk to me about updating.

HOPEFULLY they consider the $30/100 talk, etc. plans current and not "legacy" - since they are currently offered.

jhawkkw · Oct 15, 2013

What frightens me is that with it being prepaid and thus no contract, they're not obligated to give us anything. They could decide just to cut us off at any point.

mogelijk · Oct 15, 2013

saptech said:
It does look like they are talking about older plans people had with unlimited postpaid. I would assume it doesn't affect the prepaid plans. I'm looking foward to switching to the $30 prepaid plan myself in December.

If you find the thread on Howard Forums, the people who have been contacted so far have limited minute plans and are being moved to unlimited minute plans. I seriously think T-Mobile wants to get rid of all limited minute plans -- it will be cheaper for them if they don't have to worry about tracking minutes on various accounts.

The problem is, if they do that on prepaid, as was pointed out, we don't have any type of contract to protect us.

SuperAfnan · Oct 15, 2013

Guys, they can't cut us off like that. It would be like cutting off an arm. I think they might get rid of the really old plans but hopefully not our beloved 30$ plan.

When virgin mobile dropped the 25$ plan for a 35$ one, they grandfathered many people who had it, until they upgraded to a higher tier phone, like the Evo 3D (Evo V 4G).

But that's different because they're a CDMA carrier. We use SIMs so they can just cut us off easier.

If they do, I'll look on the bright side and hope that they can bring in other nice plans too!

jhawkkw · Oct 15, 2013

SuperAfnan said:
Guys, they can't cut us off like that. It would be like cutting off an arm. I think they might get rid of the really old plans but hopefully not our beloved 30$ plan.

When virgin mobile dropped the 25$ plan for a 35$ one, they grandfathered many people who had it, until they upgraded to a higher tier phone, like the Evo 3D (Evo V 4G).

But that's different because they're a CDMA carrier. We use SIMs so they can just cut us off easier.

If they do, I'll look on the bright side and hope that they can bring in other nice plans too!

They can cut us off if they want, but it may not be the smartest option. I don't expect them to because everyone that has received these letters thus far is a postpaid customer. But I sure would like getting unlimited minutes/texts with 5GB of unthrottled data for 30-40 dollars

kate · Oct 15, 2013

mogelijk said:
I seriously think T-Mobile wants to get rid of all limited minute plans -- it will be cheaper for them if they don't have to worry about tracking minutes on various accounts.

But don't all, or most, carriers still count minutes for unlimited talk customers? I believe most companies put your total used minutes on your bill, even when you have unlimited.

0078265317 · Nov 5, 2013

I know this is old but I just went to tmoblie today and he said they are grandfathered plans and will be no longer offered. Anything under 50 he said including the 2 30 dollar plans.

mogelijk · Nov 5, 2013

0078265317 said:
I know this is old but I just went to tmoblie today and he said they are grandfathered plans and will be no longer offered. Anything under 50 he said including the 2 30 dollar plans.

Since the $30 Walmart plan was never offered by the stores, I question this person's information. I suspect he was saying this to make a sale.

What I do know is that the $30 plans still show up on T-Mobile's website.

chong67 · Nov 5, 2013

"If you like your plan, you can keep your plan".

That is what it means by grandfather in.

Grandfathered plans going away? And what might this mean for prepaid plans?

Android Expert

Chinchillin'

Android Expert

Android Expert

Android Expert

Chinchillin'

Android Expert

Android Expert

Chinchillin'

Dreaming of Bugdroid.

Well-Known Member

Android Expert

Android Expert

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads