Author Topic: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?  (Read 6347 times)

kamas

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Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« on: January 29, 2014, 06:00:29 PM »
Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?  Anyone know anything about this? Any experiences and warnings? Any hidden catches? Is it worth anything at all? How good/bad does it work?
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9700

TomTX

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2014, 08:16:30 PM »
Haven't done a lot of research, but I pay $50/month for unlimited talk, text and data. with Tmobile. Mostly text and data. I should probably look at a MVNO, though I don't want to buy a new phone.

Jack

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2014, 08:57:56 PM »
I use T-Mobile as well, on the "unlimited" data (5GB 4G)/100 minutes $30/month "Wal-Mart" plan. (TomTX, you should look into it... although I'm not sure if it's available to existing customers.) I find the data to work great.

The main "catch" about the "free data for life" plan is that it's a loss-leader -- 200MB isn't that much data, and T-Mobile is hoping you'll want to pay for more once you get a taste. The other catch is that it's only supposed to be available for tablets (not phones) with cellular modems -- a purchase which a mustachian would have difficulty justifying -- although I don't know how well that restriction is enforced.

Daley

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2014, 09:02:21 PM »
Haven't done a lot of research, but I pay $50/month for unlimited talk, text and data. with Tmobile. Mostly text and data. I should probably look at a MVNO, though I don't want to buy a new phone.

Why would you need to buy a new phone? Just get your T-Mobile phone carrier unlocked and then you can switch to any GSM based MVNO on the market.

geekette

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2014, 09:25:10 PM »
Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?  Anyone know anything about this? Any experiences and warnings? Any hidden catches? Is it worth anything at all? How good/bad does it work?
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9700
Really?  We have an old iPad 1 with cellular available (hasn't been turned on in years). 

chasesfish

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2014, 05:01:43 AM »
I'm actually in the process of switching to T-Mobile courtesy of IP's guide.  I am the "road warrior" and get an $85 month cell phone stipend for my job.  $50/mo plus a somewhat inexpensive smartphone is a hell of a lot better than what I used to pay for with Verizon.  I don't need fast data, but I use a lot of it with work emails over a month.

geekette

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2014, 08:01:33 PM »
Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?  Anyone know anything about this? Any experiences and warnings? Any hidden catches? Is it worth anything at all? How good/bad does it work?
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9700

I did some research on this today.  Yes, it exists, and I don't think there are any catches (other than the data limit).  You need a GSM tablet that's on that list you linked to, not under contract, plus a "pre-paid" mobile internet SIM (not a phone SIM like I have).  There was some confusion on my phone call about the whole pre-paid vs. post-paid SIMs.  With my phone SIM in the old iPad (and wifi turned off) I can connect to T-Mobile, but I get a "sorry, this site is down" message.  Not sure if that's because of the SIM or because the site's down...

I routinely used under 200MB/month on my iPhone for years, so the limit doesn't seem low to me.   I may end up buying the SIM ($10, free shipping, waived activation), but their coverage map shows they have zero service in the place I'd most need it (FIL's house) and barely any at our own house so I haven't pulled the trigger. 

I'm a bit shocked there isn't more info about this around!

oldtoyota

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2014, 08:07:53 PM »
You asked for warnings. You can search the forums for the threads about my agony and pain in dealing with T-mobile.

In sum, I did not get service in my house. They said I did get service in my house. I took photos to show I was not getting service in my house. Then, they told me to use wifi...their contract says I can terminate without a fee if I can't get service in my house. However, they charged me and would not let me out without a fee, breaking their own contract.

Now, let's wonder this: If am using my Comcast wifi because T-mobile doesn't work in my house, WTH should I be paying T-mobile anything?

Fun, huh?

I could not get service at the beach in North Carolina on T-mobile either. Other people on other plans could.

By the time I visited Florida, I had switched to another service. All the T-mob people could not make phone calls in Florida. I could!



geekette

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2014, 03:28:46 PM »
Bringing this back up for those who may be interested.

We have an old iPad, first gen, with cellular available via AT&T for $15/month (I think 250MB).  We used it a couple times on vacation, but not in the last few years.

I ordered the $10 mobile SIM from T-Mobile a week ago and got it today.  Plugged it in the SIM slot, called T-Mo to activate (free), and within 10 minutes, it was working.  Good thing because our internet went out an hour later, so I could use the free data to "chat" with TWC instead of my cell phone.

Obviously, I don't have a lot of experience with it, but it's free, and has already come in handy.  The coverage is limited, as is the data, but for the one time $10 outlay, I'm happy so far.

arebelspy

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2014, 05:42:40 PM »
Man, if I wasn't getting 1gb of free mobile data from FreedomPop via their hotspot (and another 1gb free via their phone), I'd be all over this.

I loves me some mobile data.  :D

Too bad it only works with tablets, would be awesome to use with a phone (that didn't have cell service anymore, just wifi + this data)...
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Paul der Krake

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2014, 05:52:29 PM »
I could not get service at the beach in North Carolina on T-mobile either. Other people on other plans could.

T-mobile in NC is weird. I get black spots at the most random places. Walk 50 yards, BAM 4 bars. Oh well.

Jags4186

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2014, 06:29:39 PM »
This is great.  I use it with my iPad and it works like a charm.  I recommend downloading Onavo Extend (its an iPhone only app) onto your iPad and you should get 2x the use out of the 200mb. 

Don't listen to anyone complaining about t-mobile.  This is truly free...you can't complain about free.

MissPeach

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2014, 01:29:36 PM »
The catch I had when I tried them (by taking my unlocked phone there) is I lost the ability to send or receive pictures by text. I don't know if I would have the same issue buying a new phone through them.

geekette

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2014, 02:56:27 PM »
This is only for tablets, not phones.

oldtoyota

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Re: Is T-mobile free data for life really good/true?
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2014, 09:28:31 AM »
Haven't done a lot of research, but I pay $50/month for unlimited talk, text and data. with Tmobile. Mostly text and data. I should probably look at a MVNO, though I don't want to buy a new phone.

You do not have to buy a new phone. I didn't.