AfterDawn: News

AT&T giving T-Mobile users up to $450 to switch carriers

T-Mobile, which has not-so-quietly been taking back subscribers from rival carriers, seems to have struck a nerve with the U.S' second-largest carrier, AT&T, which is now offering up to $450 to users that switch over.

AT&T has offered up to $250 for smartphone trade-ins along with $200 credit per phone line.



T-Mobile started a revolution last year when it eliminated contracts, instead making subscribers purchase their own phones (or finance them) in exchange for much cheaper monthly rates. The company then introduced "Jump," a program that allows customers to upgrade their phones twice per year at a cost of $10 per month. Finally, the company killed off international roaming data fees and dropped the price on minutes and texting when roaming.

The U.S.' third-largest carrier, Sprint (Softbank), appears to be readying a bid for T-Mobile, and such a merger would create a company large enough to properly compete with Verizon and AT&T, which have created a duopoly in the nation.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 5 Jan 2014 17:01

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• 6 comments

• Bozobub

  You'll end up paying AT&T that $450 right back within half a year.

  5.1.2014 17:35 #1

• DarthMopar

  ^What he said^....
  

  5.1.2014 18:27 #2

• Bozobub

  I'm glad I went with Ting (2nd-party provider using Sprint Verizon's voice networks, but ONLY SPrint's data network). With BYOD ("Bring Your Own Device") and FAR lower prices, even standard prepaid is (usually) more expensive.
  
  I've avoided AT&T like the spotted plague, since my grandfathered Cellular One plan (they were bought out by AT&T) was cancelled for a bogus reason, then reoffered back to me with crappier terms at almost twice the price.

  5.1.2014 19:22 #3

• molsen

  AT&T is desperate in getting more customers. They are plainly greedy. I'm not a fan of theres. The marketing people are more than likely banking on the money so people will foolishly switch. It will be interesting for sure.
  

  5.1.2014 20:01 #4

• SoTired

  AT&T couldn't pay me enough to switch back to them.

  6.1.2014 02:02 #5

• Mrguss

  Originally posted by SoTired: AT&T couldn't pay me enough to switch back to them.
  Well say it :)
  

  +5000

  8.1.2014 14:26 #6