T-Mobile raising SMS rates 33%, but you can bail with no ETF

So you've waited patiently for T-Mobile to roll out a 3G network. You've stuck with them through thick-and-thin and you even have enough friends to use the "MyFaves" feature. But T-Mo just isn't buttering your biscuit and you want to switch to a new Treo 800w or (dare I suggest it?) an iPhone 3G. Sorry Mr. or Ms. Commitment: you've got time left to serve on your contract.

What's that? T-Mobile is increasing their per-message SMS rates on August 29th from $0.15 to $0.20 a pop? Well now, that just might change things, no? If you're on a unlimited messaging plan already, you're still behind bars, but if not, this price increase could be construed as a material change to that ol' contract. Meaning: you might be able to sneak out faster than a drive-through divorce court in Vegas without paying an ETF or Early Termination Fee. Any takers?

Comments

[Travis]

EngadgetMobile says it is only upping the rate for people that go over their message limit.

[Pete]

travis..i dont think that's right. i just read the blurb on the tmobile site which reads:

Beginning on August 29, 2008, the charge to send or receive domestic messages will be 20¢ per message (plus tax). The price change applies to messages you send or receive while you are in the US, Canada, or Puerto Rico, including messages you send to or receive from international numbers while in those locations. If you subscribe to a monthly messaging bundle, the price for the bundle is not changing, and this rate change will apply only to messages in excess of your monthly allotment.

so basically everyone not on a messaging plan, will be effected by this price increase. and if you are on a texting plan, if you go over your limit, then you pay the new per msg rate for each text msg you go over. i guess if you have a text plan and you arent going over, you wouldnt have much of an arguement. so best bet would be to cancel your texting plan now, wait it out til august and then say you were adversely affected by this price increase. :)

[EwanG]

So, since I'm one of those folks who's about one year into his 2 year commitment, how would I take advantage of this? I originally signed up because I liked that the Dash had both Cell and WiFi connectivity. But now I'd really like 3G access, and it's apparent that T isn't going to give that to us anytime soon...

[Cody B]

EwanG,

What? You didn't move to NYC to get T-mobiles 3g service? Even if you did, you must not like smart phones (since T-Mobile doesn’t off a 3g smart phone).

I'm a long time T-Mobile customer that loves his Dash. I know the government was basically screwing them over, but still.... I want some 3G love on a zippy smart phone. That’s all I want.

[tmobilesucks]

i had an unlimited txt plan and changed it to per message. Per my contract i am allowed to do this. I then tried to call tmo to have them waive the etf and they refused.

My question is, it doesn't appear by the contract that it prevents me from changing my plan prior to the increase.

when i changed my plan from unlimited to the per message she stated the message fee was 15 cents.

what gives?