While it seems that T-Mobile simply responded to complaints from customers from subscribers to these plans about losing some of their discounts, sources close to T-Mobile‘s operation say that this was not the case and that T-Mobile, like most other U.S. wireless operators, will go through periods where existing promotions are retired and new promotions are tried out.
“We’re always updating the promotions we offer for new and existing customers. Our 55+/ Military/ First Responder plans already deliver savings that are unmatched in the industry – up to 40% less compared to our normal rate plans – and now we are launching an additional new device promotion for customers on top of that.”-T-Mobile message to LightReading
This promise said, “With Yearly Upgrade, you are guaranteed the same great deals as a new T-Mobile customer joining Go5G Next.” But instead of getting a $1,000 discount toward a new phone with a trade like Go5G Next customers were getting, the discount for 55+/ Military/ First Responder plans was reduced overnight to $800.
T-Mobile reps weren’t happy with one telling a prospective customer that he wouldn’t blame him if he went to a competitor to open an account. Another said that the change resulted in the loss of eight to 10 customers. But now that T-Mobile is offering subscribers to these segmented plans a meaty discount on a new phone, we might see some of the subscribers lost start crawling back to the carrier.