said by IIIBradIII :

As I read it, you pay more with the contract because they are subsidizing the phone cost, same as they always have. T-Mobile's unlimited talk/text plan (w/ contract) was already $99 with a subsidized phone, but now they've added data to that plan for free.

And I don't understand why you're disappointed. As a ebay phone buyer, you can take your phone to T-Mobile and get an unlimited talk/text/data plan for $79 with no contract, right? If I'm reading that right, that's the cheapest nationwide unlimited plan I've ever seen from the big 4.

said by IIIBradIII :

As I read it, you pay more with the contract because they are subsidizing the phone cost, same as they always have. T-Mobile's unlimited talk/text plan (w/ contract) was already $99 with a subsidized phone, but now they've added data to that plan for free.

And I don't understand why you're disappointed. As a ebay phone buyer, you can take your phone to T-Mobile and get an unlimited talk/text/data plan for $79 with no contract, right? If I'm reading that right, that's the cheapest nationwide unlimited plan I've ever seen from the big 4.

said by PapaMidnight :

Just one question, does it allow tethering?

said by dfxmatt :

google voice + myfaves + data plan = $64.98 for unlimited everything. After freelancer's union discount it comes out to $66/mo. So actually yes, this is way more expensive than anything I've seen from big 4.

it's nice to see unlimited (and simplified), but the price is atrocious.

said by Your20G :

where can I find the service plan offering, if I use my own phone?

said by gigahurtz :

Doesn't make sense. I'd rather find the phone for a decent price on eBay than pay MORE each month AND be locked into a 2 year contract.

said by Gbcue :

The only hangup I see with the EMP plans is that if you're a family plan, ALL LINES must be off contract before you switch to one of those plans.

said by cdru :

And now you have the ability to. The price difference of $20 is paying for the new phone. If you are happy paying more up front for an unlocked phone, or if you already have one, feel free to.

If you want a Android phone for instance, that will cost $400 (G1) or $500 (G3) unlocked. Under contract, you'd be paying the equivalent of $609 ($480+$129 for the G1) or $629 (480+149 for the G3) over the course of 2 years. For some, breaking that up across 24 payments is a lot easier then paying for it all up front.

said by brianiscool :

These prices are not impressive. I use MetroPCS which include talk, text, web , GPS and unlimited 411. Plus I have my phone insured through MetroGPS. My grand total is $66 a month after tax. If I want that with T-mobile probably $100 + per month.

said by IIIBradIII :

Maybe I'm just reading that wrong, but wouldn't you be paying $85/mo to T-Mobile for an unlimited plan with insurance? Also, that paying for GPS stuff is weird - T-Mobile doesn't charge for GPS.

So for an extra $19/mo you get much better coverage than Metropcs. I suppose if coverage doesn't matter, whatever.

said by IIIBradIII :

Maybe I'm just reading that wrong, but wouldn't you be paying $85/mo to T-Mobile for an unlimited plan with insurance? Also, that paying for GPS stuff is weird - T-Mobile doesn't charge for GPS.

So for an extra $19/mo you get much better coverage than Metropcs. I suppose if coverage doesn't matter, whatever.

said by k1ll3rdr4g0n :

brianiscool, did they actually sucker you to pay for GPS? If so you are getting ripped off by your provider. GPS is free service provided by the US Navy if you have a GPS receiver chip in your device. Don't worry AT&T does the same thing with its customers. AT&T told my friend that he needs to pay monthly for GPS even though I showed him on my phone that GPS will work without a monthly fee....including Google Maps. Needless to say I don't think he believes me.

said by Rob :

AT&T charges a fee to use their GPS Navigation service, which is a tad better than Google Maps. You pay a fee for the service, not for the GPS access.

said by glinc :

LOL, man only if you were here in my store to see how many people stop using metroPCS after a month of wasting their money just to switch to boost. Coverage is a downside for metroPCS.

said by hottboiinnc :

and with that Most of Ohio is dead space if you zoom in.

said by NY Tel :

Yup you mean because of the gaps between the purple "push pins".....
Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota get the "no service at all in 4 contiguous states" award.

KEY: Purple Pins = Coverage

said by patcat88 :

Being a "national" carrier has NEVER been Revol/MetroPCS/Cricket's business model. In exchange for the world's longest range cordless phone (not a cellphone), you get much cheaper and better plans. You trade suburban/rural coverage for much cheaper urban coverage.

said by brianiscool :

These prices are not impressive. I use MetroPCS which include talk, text, web , GPS and unlimited 411. Plus I have my phone insured through MetroGPS. My grand total is $66 a month after tax. If I want that with T-mobile probably $100 + per month.

said by brianiscool :

These prices are not impressive. I use MetroPCS which include talk, text, web , GPS and unlimited 411. Plus I have my phone insured through MetroGPS. My grand total is $66 a month after tax. If I want that with T-mobile probably $100 + per month.

said by SubsBad :

They might not necessarily be "cheaper," but these new price plans are pretty innovative, especially when it comes to the subsidy-free service option.

A device subsidy from a wireless carrier causes a lot of problems for the 1.) consumer (they don't understand the true cost of the device, they can't upgrade as often as they want, they don't understand the contract, etc.), 2.) the device maker (little incentive for cost control, not really competing in the marketplace, weaker competitors propped up by desperate carriers), and 3.) carriers (ridiculous rising costs, lower customer satisfaction due to frustrated customers not fully understanding the subsidy business model, etc.).

The biggest problem is that once a customer's contract (usually 24 months) is up, their service pricing doesn't go down! This is going to be the next battle ground and T-Mobile is wisely addressing the issue now.

Why not disconnect the cost of the device from the underlying service? Everybody wins (once they adapt).

said by subsidyandwg :

That some sense, but alot of the tech on phone service is incompatible across carriers:
»www.billshrink.com/cell-phones/c···dex.html

Unfortunately, the subsidy model is the business domain of prepaid MVNO carriers which is the HIGHEST GROWTH within the cell industry (today, while postpaid account totals are shrinking). So, unless post paid carriers can get more competitive, the industry will be at odds between having phones just do talk & text, or having them be an everything device. Right now, with the cost of netbooks being what they are.. wouldn't the better deal be to have a basic prepaid phone & a netbook or be screwed over with the walled garden everything device and locked to a carrier contract?

Depending upon your budget you would choose one or the other.. most poor people have 1-2 choices. Those with a budget of $100 a month per phone for service have choices. Others with $7/month have one (tracfone). Also, smart phones can't do everything a netbook/laptop can, yet. Also, there are proprietary media devices such as the Itouch, Archos, Zune and others that have wifi and either have or will be devleoping applications in the future.. key features of which are messaging/email/voip/multimedia player.

"Even More" plan offers unlimited talk, texts and web for $99.99