T-Mobile will be hiking up prices for its older data plans once again "to respond to rising cost."
According to internal documents via The Mobile Report, the data service provider will increase prices for several older data plans by $2 to $5 per line per month.
These include One, Magenta, Magenta 55 Plus / Military, and Simple Choice. Even the Go5G 55 plans for seniors are expected to go up, although specific details on the price increase have not been released yet.
The billing changes are initially set to take effect by June 5, however, a "small fraction of customers" may already start to burden the additional charges today.
T-Mobile Pushes Postpaid Wireless Plans Amid Customer Backlash
In response to backlash, T-Mobile assured that it remains "committed to offering low prices and best value in postpaid wireless."
Thank you. We're adjusting prices to respond to rising costs, but we are committed to offering low prices and best value in postpaid wireless. We offer customers more for every dollar they spend than ever before, especially when you consider taxes & fees included. ^KenStone https://t.co/8DIvLVByJj
— T-Mobile Help (@TMobileHelp) May 22, 2024
It is worth noting that T-Mobile's wireless internet plans while having unlimited data, could cost up to $80 per line per month compared to a $130 per month bill for three lines in older data plans.
The announcement came nearly a year after the telecom cut off 5,000 employees, or 7% of its total workforce, as part of its cost-cutting measures.
Internet Prices Expected to Grow Further for Low-Income Households
With the recent internet service price hikes, more low-income US households are expected to have more difficulties accessing affordable data connections in the future as subsidies run out.
The US Federal Communication Commission has earlier warned that millions of Americans could lose access to high-speed internet without a budget extension for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
The shutdown could affect several institutions, Native American communities, veterans, and the elderly.
So far, the FCC has already reduced and halted new applications to the program, while current beneficiaries will receive lower discounts.
The FCC said it would try to slow down the closure of the program. It estimates that the remaining budget could only last until this year.
