Nearly half a million customers left T-Mobile in Q1 2011

Not even promises of a new Sidekick can keep T-Mobile from hemorrhaging customers, it seems, as the company reported significant losses in its Q1 statement for 2011. According to reports, 471,000 contract customers either failed to re-up, or outright canceled their contracts. Stacked against a shortcoming growth of just 372,000 prepaid customers (including MVNO customers for sub-carriers), T-Mobile suffered a net loss of 99,000 users, a 29% increase in losses over the same period for the previous year. Ouch. The firm chalked its loss to increased “competitive pressures,” which lends credence to AT&T’s insistence that Sprint and Verizon are such fierce opponents that it has to acquire T-Mobile for the magenta-tinted carrier to stay in the game.

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Tags: Financial Results, T-Mobile, T-Mobile USA

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T-Mobile temporarily suspends Bobsled VoIP app for Facebook

Just last week, T-Mobile launched its new Bobsled brand of VoIP and data services. The service launched with a Facebook app that lets users make a phone call with their computer and social network’s built-in chat window. We tested it when it launched and found it easy to use. You install the VoIP app and launch a call by clicking on the phone icon in the chat window. The call will dial and connect. Surprisingly, call quality is decent for an internet calling solution. If the receiving party does not answer, then you can leave a message on the other user’s wall.

T-Mobile is pleased with the service, but Facebook apparently is not. The wireless carrier announced over the weekend it is voluntarily and temporarily suspending its Bobsled voice service for the popular social network. According to the statement below, the social networking giant is concerned about differentiating T-Mobile’s calling service from a Facebook created property. The statement below comes straight from the carrier’s Facebook page,

We are voluntarily and temporarily suspending the Bobsled service as we work with our partners at Facebook to address their design questions, including working to ensure that the Bobsled experience is clearly differentiated and is not mistaken for a Facebook created property. We apologize to our customers for this temporary disruption in service.

This minor setback does not mean the end of the Bobsled service or the voice calling app. This is merely a miscommunication where the T-Mobile voice app does not clearly identify itself as being a third-party service. A few UI changes and the service should up and running again soon. Besides, T-Mobile’s original press release about Bobsled hinted the carrier was interested in expanding the brand beyond the social network and into other online services that could benefit from a VoIP solution.

Article: RSS via IntoMobile

Tags: Apps, Bobsled, Facebook, T-Mobile, VoIP

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Free voice calling to Facebook friends compliments of Bobsled by T-mobile

T-mobile is renewing their commitment to helping people stay connected on the cheap with Bobsled by T-mobile. The new brand kicks off with its Bobsled application for Facebook, providing the site’s more than 500 million users worldwide with free, one-touch calling. If you’ve been waiting for Facebook to offer free voice chat, Bobsled by T-mobile just delivered the goods.

Let it be known that Bobsled by T-mobile is a completely free solution for making live voice calls to your Facebook friends and is in no way exclusive to T-mobile customers — anyone can use the service. Bobsled can also be used to leave voice messages for your friends either privately or via their walls.

In order to join in the fun head on over to Bobsled by T-mobile and launch the installer. Once installed, your browser will restart and take you to facebook.com where you’ll see a new phone icon next to your online contacts in the Chat window. If you’re wondering why T-mobile is offering the free service, let me explain.

The free calling is a way for T-mobile to establish its Bobsled brand while at the same time delivering a feature than “88 percent of Facebook users” wanted. On a larger scale, the Sidekick 4G includes Bobsled Group Text and Cloud Text applications, additional steps T-mobile is taking to become the premier provider of cloud-based communications services over the Internet.

The end game here is that T-mobile wants to see Bobsled evolve into full-fledged video chat, with the ability to place VoIP calls to mobile and landlines as well as offer applications on smartphones and tablets across various mobile platforms, regardless of carrier. Simply put, this is the first of many steps and a great way for T-mobile to establish its Bobsled brand.

Article: RSS via Electricpig

Tags: Apps, Bobsled, Facebook, Social Networks, T-Mobile, VoIP

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Everything Everywhere stops plundering the charity box

Enter the repentant villain, stage left

Everything Everywhere has suspended its practice of taking 10 per cent of charitable donations, and claims it is now working on an alternative, and more sustainable, model.

EE had been taking the cut from text donations to cover its costs, other than those charities selected as “partners” by the operator. The operator still maintains that it never made any money from the practice, but in the face of a media bandwagon it had no option but to suspend the collections immediately while it comes up with a better plan.

The partner charities include Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Children In Need, Royal British Legion and Unicef. Those charities, the operator reckons, soak up the “vast majority” of charitable giving by text message, but collecting money costs money – so the thousands of other charities were expected to cough up a 10th of the gifts to cover the collection costs.

Every fundraising mechanism costs money, but EE got caught out as the only operator charging charities for the service. That created a perfect storm for stories about the big bad corporation which was stealing from little charities – but not big charities: how perfect can a pantomime villain get?

EE tells us that it is more concerned with the £700m lost by donors who did not take advantage of Gift Aid (which enables charities to claim back the tax on donations), and the operator is apparently working on a donation system which will redress that problem.

But while it does that, EE is suspending the collection of its 10 per cent cut, so every penny texted will go to the charity of choice, at least until the operator can find another way to cover its costs.

Article: RSS via The Register

Tags: Charity, Everything Everywhere, Orange, SMS, T-Mobile

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Everything Everywhere accused of lining pockets with charity cash

Just covering costs guv’

Everything Everywhere has been taking 10 percent of charitable text messages, excepting its selected charities, on the flimsy excuse of having to cover its processing costs.

The problem is that it seems the other network operators are more generous with their cut, passing on the entire payment, so the operator is being forced to re-examine its charging structure to avoid appearing as the villain of the piece as everyone leaps aboard the already crowded bandwagon to accuse the company of lining its own pockets on charitable donations.

In defending the indefensible, EE claims it has to cover costs, and that half a dozen “partner” charities get the full payment while the thousands who also take donations by text get 90 per cent of the money. But given the media pressure, the operator is currently holding meetings to reconsider its position.

Processing payments does cost money, and all the charitable collection mechanisms have to cover costs: JustGiving, for example, takes £15 a month plus 5 per cent of every donation, but Everything Everywhere’s problem is that it was the only network operator with its hand in the till.

Mega-corporations taking money from charities is something we can all abhor with a clear conscience, and EE will, no doubt, come out with a statement in the next hour or two saying they’re dropping the charges.

The operator, like the others, will then take the money off us in other ways, but everyone will then be able to claim a victory while EE stands in the corner looking repentant in the best pantomime tradition.

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Tags: Charity, Everything Everywhere, Orange, SMS, T-Mobile

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T-Mobile cancels Even More Plus unlimited plan on eve of launch?

Just when we thought T-Mobile was about to rock the world by offering bring-your-own-phone customers an insanely cheap unlimited plan, we’re hearing that the company has strangled the $60 unlimited version of Even More Plus in the crib – TmoNews snagged a supposed internal communique that claims the plan was canceled at the last minute. We just reached out to T-Mobile ourselves, however, and were told the reality is nothing of the sort:

T-Mobile did not officially announce any rate plans yesterday, and the company doesn’t comment on rumors or speculation. Today, T-Mobile officially announced a new, single-line unlimited plan that is available starting today for just $79.99 per month, with an Even More plan and a two-year contract.

In other words, T-Mobile says it never sent out the previous press release (also originally obtained byTmoNews) at all. We’re not sure who’s telling the truth here, but either way, one thing’s for certain — there still won’t be an $60 unlimited Even More Plus plan starting tomorrow morning. You’re more than welcome to dry your tears with the $80 on-contract plan right now, though. PR after the break.

Article: RSS via Engadget

T-Mobile Introduces New Unlimited Data, Calling and Texting Plan for Only $79.99 Per Month

New lower-priced unlimited plan with no overage charges makes wireless more affordable to more people on America’s Largest 4G Network

BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced that a new, single-line unlimited plan is available for just $79.99 per month, with an Even More™ plan and a two-year contract. The new plan offers great value for new and existing customers with unlimited nationwide calling, texting and data – with no overage charges – on America’s Largest 4G Network™.

“Consumers today are looking for even more value and flexibility from their wireless plans”

“Consumers today are looking for even more value and flexibility from their wireless plans,” said John Clelland, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “While data plans for many of our competitors continue to be very expensive, T-Mobile is lowering the price of our unlimited plan and offering more options, making it easier than ever for customers to step up to a richer mobile data experience on our 4G network.”

Combined with an extensive lineup of affordable smartphones, T-Mobile’s new Even More unlimited plan allows customers to save more than $350 per year on an unlimited smartphone plan, compared to similar plans from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint1. Additionally, T-Mobile customers continue to receive high-quality 4G experiences where they live, work, and play – America’s Largest 4G Network™ now reaches 167 markets and more than 200 million people nationwide.

In contrast to some competing offerings, T-Mobile’s new Even More unlimited plan enables customers to use mobile data on their smartphones without incurring any overage charges. Consumers exceeding 2GB of usage in a billing month will still have access to unlimited data at reduced speeds until their new billing cycle starts. On average, T-Mobile 4G smartphone customers consume about 1GB of data per billing month.

In addition to its unlimited plans, T-Mobile continues to offer one of the industry’s most affordable entry-level data plans, starting at just $10 for 200 MB per billing month. The company also strives to help customers on these data plans avoid surprise bills with SMS alerts when they are reaching their data limit.

The new $79.99 Even More unlimited plan is available now for qualifying customers. To find the T-Mobile plan that best fits their needs, customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com.

1 Based on comparison against comparable post-paid plans for smartphones from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint; does not include taxes and fees or cost of phone. Plan features and limitations may vary. Data as of March 2011.

Tags: Even More, Even More Plus, T-Mobile, T-Mobile USA, Unlimited Data, Unlimited Plans, Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text

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T-Mobile’s new plans get official: starting at $60 for unlimited everything, throttling included

T-Mobile’s just gone official with the new unlimited plans we caught wind of a few days ago, and while they are truly unlimited by numbers, they’re not completely unlimited in functionality. The plans cost $79.99 for Even More customers (buy a subsidized device on contract) and $59.99 for Even More Plus subscribers (bring your own phone commitment-free). Either way this gets you unlimited data, domestic calling, and domestic messaging, with a $5 surcharge for BlackBerry users. Unlike Sprint’s similar offering, once you pass the 2GB bandwidth mark, “data speeds will be reduced for the remainder of that bill cycle,” essentially informing users that throttling will most certainly take place. In all, we’re pleased to see the compromise T-Mo’s put in place for data (whereas most other carriers are simply axing the unlimited option altogether), and we hope some of the competition takes heed. It does sound like a pretty sweet deal for those of you not grandfathered in on unlimited data plans.

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Tags: Even More, Even More Plus, T-Mobile, T-Mobile USA, Unlimited Data, Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text

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HTC HD7 finally gets NoDo, WP7 users revel in the splendor of copy / paste

Last week, Microsoft released a NoDo update schedule for all of its WP7 devices, and it looks like T-Mobile’s sticking to the plan. That’s right folks, T-Mobile’s HTC HD7 owners are officially the first to get a crack at the OTA NoDo download through the Zune software. T-Mo announced on its Twitter feed and website forum that the update has commenced, and our tipsters confirm that some have indeed already received the new software. The announcement states that users will only start getting the update today, and will get a pop-up notification telling them when its available. So if you haven’t yet been hit with your dose of NoDo, rest assured that help is on the way.

Update: Quick clarification, T-Mobile customers will be getting OTA notifications, but must download the update using Microsoft’s Zune software.

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Tags: HTC, HTC HD7, OTA, Smartphones, Software Update, T-Mobile, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7

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Nokia E7 UK pre-orders open: Will you stick with Symbian?

When we first copped the Nokia E7 QWERTY smartphone back in September, we were blown away. It’s one of the most beautiful, astoundingly designed phones we’ve ever seen. You’d have thought then, that today’s news that it’s up for pre-order in the UK at long last would be cause for celebration. The thing is, with Nokia dumping Symbian for Windows Phone 7, is there any point investing in it any more? You tell us, right here.

Head on over to Nokia’s UK online store right now and you can pre-order a Nokia E7, either on a £35 per month contract on T-Mobile or Vodafone, £469 Pay As You Go or £499, for delivery in late April. That wait itelf is galling, especially since the Nokia E7 is shipping internationally already, but what we want to know is if you’ve been lusting after this metal beauty with a 4-inch AMOLED screen, do you still want it, knowing that Nokia is all but giving up on Symbian as a smartphone OS?

Last month, Nokia announced its earth shattering plans to switch to Windows Phone 7, but since we’re not expecting the first Microkia phones until next year, that’s a long wait in between, and Nokia is still hoping to sell plenty of smartphones in the meantime.

The good news is we’re expecting our own Nokia E7 review unit imminently, so you can expect a full verdict long before then. Will you be buying? Let us know in the comments.

Article: RSS via Electricpig

Tags: Nokia, Nokia E7, Pay As You Go, SIM Free, Smartphones, Symbian, T-Mobile, Vodafone

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T-Mobile first to declare iPad 2 prices

UK network plays its hand

T-Mobile has announced its subsidised iPad 2 pricing – stating that you’ll be able to pick up the next-gen Apple device for £199 if you’re already a customer of the network.

If you’re signing up as a new customer, the price goes up to £229.

For that, you’ll be getting the 16GB iPad 2, and you’ll be signing up for a 2-year data plan which is £25 a month for existing T-Mobilers and £2 more for new customers.

This buys you 1GB of data a month, plus 1GB to use in T-Mobile’s declared “quiet time” of 12am – 10am.

So, as an existing customer your total outlay over the 2 years would be £799 and as a new member of the T-Mobile club, it would be £877.

For a tablet that retails at £499, you need to ask yourself just how badly you need the 3G data – and consider that your network may now allow hotspot sharing using your iPhone with iOS 4.3.

If you do want to take the T-Mobile plunge, it will be taking orders online and on the phone from 5pm on 25 March.

Article: RSS via Pocket-lint

Tags: Apple, iOS, iPad, iPad 2, T-Mobile, Tablet PC's

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