T-Mobile Flat Rate Data Coming Soon

[3GScottishUser]

From Mobile Today (24/03/2006):

T-Mobile is to give its users unlimited internet access for £7.50 per month from April.

The new offer will be available as an add-on to the operator’s Relax or Flext tariffs and retailers believe it will force other networks to rethink their data download rates.

One London dealer said: ‘The deal they are offering is fantastic. It should, in theory, give them the edge over competitors. It’s a massive change from what they were doing.’

Daniel Schama from ThatPhone in Middlesex said it would avoid confusion
and help people get the most out of their phones. ‘The industry realises that most customers only use a small percentage of their phone’s capabilities. People will start experimenting.’

Schama added that previous data download deals were intimidating for customers and slowed sales. ‘A lot of people are scared of megabyte [-based pricing]. They don’t know how much they download or how much it will cost at the end of the month. This takes the worry out of it.’

It is not clear if the deal covers the use of a phone as a modem. T-Mobile declined to discuss the deal.

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/artman-...cle_1302.shtml

[Hands0n]

It should, in theory, give them the edge over competitors

I nominate that as the Gross Understatement of 2006 (so far).

What excellent news, even though I don't use T-Mobile, ever.

[3GScottishUser]

With that kind of offer on top of the excellent Flext tarriffs I suspect you and millions of others might just be heading in T-Mobiles direction in the next few months.

Likewise I have never used T-Mobile as yet but I feel a strong attraction and if they offer a nice N-80 on Flext 35 with the 25% on-line discount I'll be signing up with the web'n'walk add-on of course!!

[Ben]

Oh... my... lord...

I didn't expect this rumour to be true in a million years.

Again, once this comes out I almost feel like I need to take out a Flext purely as a mark of respect.

I doubt handsets will be able to be used as modems as part of the same deal, but that's not important here. What's important is encouraging a critical mass to take up data-centric services such as VoIP, IM, SMS over GPRS, email and browsing/downloading on their handsets.

T-Mobile have readily stepped in to fill the innovative and responsive position Orange once occupied in my mind. Hurrah for T-Mobile?

[maxspank]

If it does include using the phone as a modem it will force other networks down. T-mobile are really shaking things up aren't they?

[Hands0n]

Well it is all rather compelling, especially as I am now out of contract with one of my pair of mobile operators. I am only really awaiting the N80's arrival on the networks and it will then be a situation where I am going to shop around before taking the plunge to either renew or jump ship. The latter being an unattractive proposition purely from terms of keeping my mobile number which is really rather good one (should be silver or gold I reckon, but got it without paying more).

I know I can PAC it across, but that also has certain constraints for such things as Videocall and suchlike. Decisions, decisions.

But I must say that (ignoring 3G for a moment) the Flext tariffs are inspiring, and if they really do offer unlimited data, even if subject to Fair Use Policy, it is something that I would absolutely be interested in providing I can use my mobile as a terminal as well as a modem with laptop/PDA.

However, if T-Mobile do something silly like prevent such use (i.e. only with our Data Cards or only from the handset) then the facility will [for me] rank alongside chocolate teapots and guffs in spacesuits.

[3GScottishUser]

Here's the official press release:

Unique open mobile Internet service option for £7.50 a month and now with unlimited browsing and e-mail Key features:

- web’n’walk now available on Relax and Flext tariffs
- Incredible value £7.50 a month option for unlimited browsing and e-mail
- web’n’walk handset range to expand in June
- Multi-million summer ad campaign planned

London, UK - 23rd March 2006: T-Mobile’s open mobile Internet service will soon be available for £7.50 a month as an add-on to the network operator’s successful Relax and Flext tariffs.

Unlimited web’n’walk will offer more T-Mobile customers than ever before the chance to browse, e-mail and chat on the move whenever they want. A range of new handsets, (available from June), a revamped homepage (with more categories and webmail links) and improved e-mail support will increase the service’s appeal.

As web ‘n’ walk offers access to the open internet (by way of contrast to traditional “walled garden” WAP services), customers using the web’n’walk service are able to browse the web how they want and are free to log on to whatever websites they choose.

Phil Chapman, Marketing Director of T-Mobile UK, said: “By making the service unlimited and framing it as an add-on to Relax and Flext tariffs, web’n’walk becomes a core part of our product range.

“Along with the impending introduction of several new web’n’walk-capable handsets, what we have now is a truly open mobile internet service that will appeal to a much wider audience. Our aim is to make web’n’walk the choice for any mobile phone user who wants to access the Internet on the move - whether it’s to stay one step ahead of the news or to express themselves through moblogs.”

The availability of a new range of web’n’walk handsets will coincide with the launch of a massive multi-million summer advertising campaign.

Chapman added: “Our web’n’walk summer ad campaign marks another stage in an exciting year for T-Mobile. As well as revamping web’n’walk, we are currently rolling out our innovative Flext tariff, and we will be opening an unprecedented number of new T-Mobile shops this year.”

[miffed]

Ahh , so it wasn't just a rumour - I'd better get this added now

I have heard some nasty rumours that Tmobiles idea of "unlimited" actually means 40mb ( ) - but whether the Tmobile employees suggesting this are just a bit confused on this remains to be seen

Assuming o2 do start charging for GPRS this month ( as threatened) I'll start to use T-mobile as my main account

[3GScottishUser]

I am still confused about whether you'll be able to use your handset as a modem. Web'n'Walk suggests not. Is this a handset display restricted service or full blown open Internet access you can enjoy on your laptop?

Anybody know?

[miffed]

OK - now I am getting a little concerned hopefully I'll am completely getting the wrong end of the stick and all will be wonderful

But......

Incredible value £7.50 a month option for unlimited browsing and e-mail

As web ‘n’ walk offers access to the open internet (by way of contrast to traditional “walled garden” WAP services), customers using the web’n’walk service are able to browse the web how they want and are free to log on to whatever websites they choose.

I have a horrible suspicion that "unlimited" may be talking about content rather than quantity


PLEASE someone ..... post some eviidence to the contrary

But I do note on another forum , someone contacted T-mobile to have this "unlimited" add on added to their account , and was basically told they would receive 40mb for their £7.50 (still pretty good )

I really do hope this is just initial confusion though - as I want to be first on board !!

[miffed]

Have a look ath this thread , particularly the email response from Tmobile

http://www.modaco.com/T_Mobile_to_sh...37970-s75.html



Think I am going to cry

[Ben]

How on Earth is 40MB 'unlimited'?

Burn in hell!

[miffed]

http://www.mobiholics.net/index.php?showtopic=43&st=100


Ah , now thats more like it ! (post 111)

Hopefully all this confusion is just that - and we won't be seeing any ridiculous caps
A 2GB limit will be plenty for me

Also note there is aslo talk on this thread of an £8.50 option for datacards etc , that will give increased bandwith (only a rumour , once again - but then the whole "£7.50" thing was only a rumour untill yesterday )

Guess we'll have to wait until April 1st

[Ben]

It's going to make for an exciting April Fools for sure. Lets just hope T-Mobile doesn't try and take UK consumers for fools by labelling a 40MB bundle with £1/MB out-of-bundle as 'Unlimited'.

On the other hand, 2GB is competing with some entry-level wired broadband offerings! It'd be an insane leap forward and much more generous than I expect. Also, I still expect this to be restricted to on-handset data, which would make 2GB even more insane, but we'll have to wait and see.

There's plenty to be excited about, lets just hope T-Mobile doesn't disappoint and continues to lead innovative pricing reform in the UK.

[Hands0n]

I can't get my head past the 1st April date, call me cynical

[3GScottishUser]

The April 1st date is real.

Trust me!!!

[Hands0n]

Yea, but it just seems such an auspicious date - not necessarily one I'd choose to launch a new product

[Bleubean]

Im currently on a bog-standard -T-Mobile tarrif, will it be possible to transfer to Flext and take advantage of the new data tarrif when it arrives?

[Hands0n]

Probably if you sign up to another 18 months with them - I can't see them refusing you that! Only a wild guess of mine though, there could be a "policy" that stops them allowing you to do that.

[Ben]

Mhm yeah, you know what networks are like these days with regard to changing your tariff before the contract term is over - especially if a heavily subsidised handset was part of your deal. Let us know when you find out?