Can we still weasel our way out of it if we have an unlimited texting plan? I plan to sell my soul to AT&T when I get my iPhone 3G anyways, but it'd be nice to avoid that $200 blow. :(

Aashay

@Manator Is Sorry: Oh, and that is for ATT, I know that 10000.1% - not necessarily for Tmobile. But the looks of their terms of service, it doesn't look like you can weasel out of their contract either as easy as this post points out.

Manator Is Sorry

Damn! I have unlimited text messages!! and I am stuck with tmobile, the only reason I will not get an iPhone in 10 days (and counting.)

ghostbusterbob

Wow - Miss Information.
Pay per use text messaging is not a subscribed service, so if it goes up in rate, and the company does give notice in writing (which is DOES), then no, a customer may not and cannot escape their contract without an ETF.

The post is a lie.

If you are on a messaging plan, then you're NOT AFFECTED. You're only affected if you goto PPU (Pay Per Use) - because if you're under contract and you decide to cancel due to this little increase, then you're still paying that pesky ETF. And take that from someone with some experience, please!

Manator Is Sorry

@matt buchanan: Does that not also mean they cannot charge me until notified :P

aelver

@Evan394: Thanks, updated with a link to T-Mo's spokesperson explaining you need to get the notification first.

matt buchanan

@innout3x3: T-Mobile is committed to change. They're asking for more of it, after all.

itchytooth

You have to give credit where credit is do, T-mobile customer service is the best but they have one of the worse networks around too, can you believed they charge Sidekick users $30 for Edge Data services?? sure you get unlimited Texting but WTF, they also have the worse phone selection possible

snitch29

I remember when it was 5 cents.... the good old days of 2003.

Joewithay

People still pay for individual text messages? I would have thought most people had already swapped over to unlimited plans.

SMG3er

It's kind of sad when SMS rates are around the same price as sending a postcard.

markgm

One thing to point out is that a raise in text messaging does not constitute a breach of contract. If you read your contract, it specifies that it only protects your RATE PLAN. And as the Text Messaging is considered an "added feature", it is not part of your rate plan. You can quite easily fully cancel your text messaging, while still having a service.

Therefore, if you don't like the new text rates, T-Mobile will tell you to cancel your plan, or suck it up because if you're on contract, your SOL. Now if they raised your rate plan by $.20, then you have a case.

SnakeDiver

In the UK, we pay 10 - 15p a message already (which, I guess, is about 20 - 30 cents?). I hope this doesn't mean UK prices will soon go up as well.

scndmg

I am sick of t-mobile and their mediocre service and phones. We need a change.

innout3x3

I have to tell you that this is VERY incorrect reporting on your part GIZ. The only customers elligible to "weazel" out of the ETF are those who have recieved the billing insert indicating that the SMS charges are increasing. They have a specific que you'll be transferred to if you claim that "well I just heard that I can get my ETF waived if I act like a douchebag and cry like a bitch and give up all dignity" you'll be denied. And you should be, T-Mobile has the best pricing STILL even after this hike, and how many of you can actually justify quitting a service provider for this hike, when UNLIMITED mesaging is a feature offered. Now, you want to quit for the iPhone, I can totally understand because that shit is dope, but you agreed to pay an ETF if you quit before the contract term is up, and the terms you agreed to specifically state that they have the right to change pricing at any time.

Welcome to adulthood, children. Put on your big boy pants and TFSU

Evan394

@Hectorvex: ... or just give in, get their cheapest text plan (which is like $5 I think) and then enjoy texting at just over a penny a txt. Plus T-mo's 3G network barely exists, so I'd only be disappointed that the 3g iphone doesn't work with said network if I lived in New york or something.

That said, I'm a T-mo customer with an iPhone and I don't plan on switching either phone or plan anytime soon.

behavin

They do this to get people into the messaging plans.

i4ni

20 cents per message?!? Holy carp! Are they hand delivering the messages using scantily clad messenger chicks?

hakubak

Data is supposed to be getting cheaper! Get a clue moron phone companies!

itchytooth

good bye tmobile... it has been a very painful year and change... :-) suckerz!
Hello iPhone

zimstyles

I know gas prices have effected many things in the consumer marketplace - but I can't find a link between gas and text messaging. Therefore, it's my declaration that T-Mobile is doing this because they suck and are losing customers and money. What's a company to do? Easy, raise prices on the little shit and hope no-one notices. I'm on Alltel. I pay 6 bucks a month for unlimited text. However, I'd still rather have an iPhone...

Hectorvex

$0.20 isn't so bad, my text messages were $0.10 with AT&T as early as a year ago. Now each text will cost me $0.25, they have gone up by $0.05 consistently every 3-4 months... I don't expect it to stop any time soon.

TaitRT

As long as they roll out the text-blocker feature they fumfuh'ed about, it doesn't really matter. Currently my text-blocker feature is customer-implemented, and it works like this:

1) Friend texts me.

2) Friend instantly gets kindly but irate phone call in return. "How many times have I told you not to text me? If you call me it costs nothing. If you text me I pay a dollar for the same conversation. Now let's review: What are you not supposed to do? ...That's right. Very good. So what did you want anyway?"

Why yes, I do have a very small circle of friends, why do you ask?

Killjoy

Anyone remember the old days where a text cost 5 cents? And the funny thing is that is now costs more to send a text than to beem data from the Mars Rover to Earth! Those were the days...

dagamer34

The notification is already on the website when you login to "My T-Mobile". Here is the agreement for December 2004, you'll notice their Terms and Conditions changed June 28th, 2008 to close this 'loophole'.

"Changes to the Agreement or Charges. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW, IF WE: (A) INCREASE THE CHARGES INCLUDED IN YOUR MONTHLY RECURRING ACCESS RATE PLAN, OR (B) MODIFY A MATERIAL TERM OF OUR AGREEMENT WITH YOU AND THE MODIFICATION WOULD BE MATERIALLY ADVERSE TO YOU, WE WILL NOTIFY YOU OF THE INCREASE OR MODIFICATION AND YOU CAN CANCEL THAT SERVICE WITHOUT PAYING A CANCELLATION FEE (WHICH IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY)"

Notice (A) is relevant to your Data Plan only, (B) is any material terms that effects you. In the June 2008 Terms and Conditions it is changed to say that texting isn't included. I tried to get out of it earlier but the Supervisor said "If I don't want to get a texting plan to subside getting charged per text message, then that is my problem". She then flagged my account for 'no major changes' as was told to me buy another CSR. Regina, if you're reading this, you're a terrible supervisor.

jaroth

The door swings open for those tempted by the latest Apple creation. The path is lit by the gentle glowing of iPhone's dancing in their heads.

duffyanneal

I have just sucessfully broken out of my T-Mobile contract 14 months early. Here are the details: you can get out as long as you either do not have an SMS plan OR you have gone over your SMS plan once in the last three months. Basically, you have to have paid $0.15 for an SMS at least once in the past three months. If you haven't, you can't get out.

You don't have to wait for a notification to come in the mail -- I didn't. I just called and said I wanted to cancel my contract and that I don't think I have to pay an ETF because I do about 20 SMS per month and the rate increase will affect me. They didn't put up a fight and transferred me to an Account Manager immediately, who waived the ETF.

I'm going to AT&T, where my HTC Kaiser will actually be able to get on a 3G network.

--FCOD

flyingcowofdoom

@Aashay: No.

matt buchanan

I'm leaving T-Mobile sometime this month to get the iPhone...I am in an area where T-mobile gives me pretty good service. Aside from the fact that my blackberry drop calls like a man with oily fingers holding onto a fishbowl. I love T-mobile, they gave me my first sidekick, and they helped start the flame of my insanity with phones.

carmen loves sexist gizmodians

i have been waiting for this day for so long. i never get service anywhere. take 2 steps into a basement-- you're out. anywhere with trees-- you're out.

ru486

so it makes sense to buy a txt msg add-on. BUT I thought telco companies are supposed to compete and LOWER prices... not jack them up. this is sad.... what is happening here?

chopstickhero

@snitch29: Sidekick plan is $20 its $30 if you dont have any minutes. With most carriers right now individual unlimited text is $20 by itself.

forty4

You think houses can go up 400% without everything else going up 400%?

heroineworshipper

Eh, can't really complain. I've had good service (reception and customer service) for 4 years with tmo, get 1500 min/month, after a company discount for $44 total, including the $4 or whatever it is for the 400 msgs. Who knows what's gonna happen about 2 years from now phone-tech wise when I'm finally contract free again. :)

Beven

@flyingcowofdoom: When they cancel your contract, do they automatically kill the account? I've paid for picture messages ($0.15 for a message is still a $0.15 messaging charge)in the last 90, but don't want to immediately kill my account. I'll do that after I port my # to ATT on the 11th.

yokozuna

I'm already paying 20 cents for my stupid texts and 25 cents for my stupid "PIX TXT" at Verizon -.-
And unlimited is $30/mo for family plan =(

Mr_LaZy

I just called them they stated they cant cancel or disable the text messages to your phone, because the increase in price is effective on 8/23/08. so looks like till then we can get messages at 0.15.

Benitocarmona

I just cancel my account today without paying a ETF. I only been in my contract for 3 months. I just called in and talked to a rep and explain why i wanted to cancel and with no arguement or manager,sup to talk too. I got to say it was painless and easy.

Peace out T-Mobile!!

poopoo-nunu

@Benitocarmona: When I called them about disabling incoming text messages, T-Mobile said it wasn't possible period. Then they mumbled something about working on the feature which would be available "soon."

By "soon" I assume they mean "never," since this would not enhance shareholder value.

Killjoy

@yokozuna: No. The Account Manager will flag your account for cancellation without turning off your service. Then, you go to AT&T and port your number(s) over. This will automatically cancel your T-Mobile service, at which point they will charge you the $200 ETF, but it will be immediately credited. T-Mobile will send you a pro-rated bill for the fraction of the month you had service that shows the ETF being charged and credited.

--FCOD

flyingcowofdoom

Looks like I'm getting the iPhone.

OMG! Ponies!

With unlimited data we should all boycott text messaging and demand IM clients on all phones..

8026mn

It's bullshite. They should be happy people are texting more and lower rates, because it puts less strain on the network than voice or data sessions.

Kevin1a

You can still get out of a contract if you have unlimited. Ask the CSR, "If I remove my unlimited plan in the future, will this affect me?". You could also drop your unlimited plan online and call after a couple of days.

Just keep calling till it's done (took me 2 calls last Friday), I bluffed them on receiving notice and am on AT&T now.

williamn

It makes me feel really great knowing my contract with At&T (Cingular) expired last December. I thought about it many times to upgrade my RAZR v3 to something more current, but I have no reason too. I receive great reception, and I don't have any need for any data plan. And as far as texting goes, I only chat from my home computer. I have no love for AT&T (Cingular), but I will admit that they are the only carrier with "roll over minutes". I have the cheapest plan they offer, but with my "roll over" I have accumulated over 4,600 additional minutes.

SBM_from_LA

just rock an unlocked 1st gen iphone. it's much cheaper than going with att. you can use the tzones plan (5.99$) for edge.

kellygeorge

@snitch29:

Look on Howard Forums, it's fairly easy to get the whole net with the $5.99 "hack" (actually only $2.99 for me since I'm grandfathered in!).

LUV2CattleCall

T-Mobile is still the best thing going price wise and their customer service is unbeatable. I'd love an iPhone but refuse to downgrade the quality of my service just to get one. Texting is stupid anyway. You got a phone nitwits. Call and say what you have to say. It's not rocket science.

Thrillcekr

@Thrillcekr: Texting is vital. Sometimes it's the only line of communication available. If texting was something that only tween girls did, RIM wouldn't be successful.

OMG! Ponies!

This took about 6 minutes. I'm now contract free!

yokozuna

@OMG! Ponies!: You have a good argument, but RiM major profit comes from it's licensing which allows full enterprise business support, mainly in the form of Exchange server support and Push email.

Leonard Nimrod

ARE YOU SERIOUS!? 20c a single text message!? WTF!? I live in Finland, and I pay something a little under 5c per txt... I think That is overpriced if you ask most people here, but 20!? WTF?! I guess I missed something, it can't be that expensive.... Correct me plz

Bash_

hahaha... that image is awesome.

phrequency

@Evan394: Waaaambulance is here!

iCanhasLs2plz