T-Mobile unveiled "The Full Monty" pay monthly plan today, which includes unlimited calls, texts and data, priced at £41 per month for two years. The plan is available on all phones in the T-Mobile range and features no fair use restrictions on internet, calls or text messages. T-Mobile will also allow customers to tether their smartphones as part of the plan, allowing laptop owners to get online without the fear of restrictions or cost.
Plans start at £36 per month on a two-year contract, but the £36 option is limited to 2,000 minutes for calls to non-T-Mobile networks. Plans at £41 a month onwards include truly unlimited calls to other networks. T-Mobile claims the plan is "ground-breaking," but it feels like a return to unlimited contracts that were in place before smartphones put a strain on British networks. Either way, it will be available from February 1st through T-Mobile stores, online shop, telesales and in-direct partners.
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I never understand how anyone can send more than 1000 texts pm or call for 2000 minutes (30 hours!). Maybe I’m a special case or something. I’m just gonna stick to their cheaper plans: their soft cap means that I’m always gonna get data service even after the rare event I use over 1GB.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:43 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
I can go over 1GB, especially if tethering is included. I use my phone a lot for business calls so all the minutes are great. Since iMessage my texts have reduced though…
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I send 3000 to 4000 texts per day and consume 4-6GB data per month: in India, this is a rather common statistic.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 6:08 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Presuming you’re awake around 16 hours a day and send 3000 texts, that means you send 188 text in an average hour? I find that really hard to believe! That’s a text every 20 seconds…
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 6:29 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
Or a text every 14 seconds, consistently over 16 hours to hit the 4k. Of course it’s possible that he simply doesn’t sleep and has a full 24 hours to partake in texting, at which case he only needs to send a text every 21 seconds for a full 24 hours.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
maybe he has a huge social life, and has 100 friends that he sends the same text to – in which case he’s only sending a text out every half hour or so…
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:20 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ll join the crowd that cries for an “Edit” button – that was supposed to mean “per month”, not per day – on an average of 100 messages per day.
Carriers here usually offer 200 message/day SMS packs with a flat rate over a month.
Posted on Feb 02, 2012 | 10:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
In a month? Or are you spamming?
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:34 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
I’m like that too. I might only send 400 texts and have 400 minutes of calling max. And usually I don’t text at all and only call for about 60 minutes per month. I don’t even use a lot of data, I use about 768MB per month.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:02 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I have unlimited everything, and I end up using like 100min, 200txts, but 10GB of data. Most of it is streamed music and video.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:19 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Sounds great, I pay near £41 for only 600 minutes and don’t get tethering built in.
I have been with T-Mobile for years and find them good too.
Might… Sign… Up….
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:43 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Really? I pay £15 a month and do get tethering. Mind you, I got contract-only (i.e. I didn’t get a phone with it).
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Well, this is with Vodafone when iPhone 4 was released….
I got a deal with T-Mo for 300 minutes, 300 texts, Unlimited Landline and ‘Unlimited’ Data with a Semi-decent Android Phone for £5 per month… I gave that to my Grandad…
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:47 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Ah OK, gotcha. Thought you meant that tariff was with T-mobile. My mistake.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:49 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s cool I should have been more clear.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I got 900 min, 1GB 3g/1GB WiFi, unlimited texts for £40 a month with Vodafone.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Probably a lot of that cost is from your iPhone though – the 600/500/500 plan is £22 iirc.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:48 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
YUP.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
As an existing T-Mobile subscriber I’m displeased at this news because their network is already shockingly creaky (I sometimes fail to get coverage for the entirety of my 1 hour commute between Waterloo and my house that is 7miles inside the M25). Its going to be even worse when folks on this new contract start saturating the bandwidth.
I was considering leaving T-Mobile when my contract was up anyway (because of the connection issues) – this just confirms it.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:44 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Who would be your alternative though? I find no one I know on any of the big 4 gets stellar connections or speed.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 6:12 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m hoping for a recommendation :)
Seriously though, any network that doesn’t have an “all you can eat” plan would suit me. I have no need for such a thing so don’t want other customers dragging the network down.
At the moment I’m thinking Vodafone cos I hear less bad things about them (which is not the same as saying I hear good things about them).
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 6:18 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m with Virgin mobile and I think they are using Orange and Tmobile networks and frankly I never had any issues over the past two years. Living in NW2, working WC1. Maybe I just got lucky.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Vodafone are OK for signal coverage; I’ve been with them for the last two years and haven’t had any major issues in and around London apart from occasional 3g signal black holes. The only thing I don’t like about them is that they can be a bit more pricey than the other networks for the minutes and texts they offer.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:27 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
OK thanks, that kinda makes my mind up for me. Vodafone it is.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:53 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Go with 3. I had them for my iphone 4 eith the one plan. I used to get 5 or 6 meg down in areas that arent even covered by anyone else. And that was everywhere as well, 3’s network is epicly fast at the moment. I’m on t-mo now and i never get more than a meg. Ever.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 2:51 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Christ, don’t go near Vodafone whatever you do. I’ve never been so happy to end my relationship with a company. Yes, they generally have decent signal pretty much everywhere, but they have messed up so many of my bills it’s ridiculous – I think they can’t be THAT incompetent, so they must be doing it delberately. Add to that the way they illegally tried to change all their subscriber’s contracts when it came to data usage around 18mths ago (and then got slapped down again when everyone kicked off about it), and their useless CS staff. I would never go near them again, nor will I let anyone I know go near them if I can help it.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:34 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
have you not signed up to roam on orange?
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 10:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yawn, Three’s already has its One Plan, which rings in at £25/month with 5000 minutes, unlimited data and tethering. Plus its network actually works.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:50 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The One Plan is 2000 minutes to non-three, not 5000. This is good for people who talk…a lot.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:58 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Yeah, Three’s had it a while and their 3G network is very good. They used to get a bad rep but I’ve been with them for about 6 years now and don’t have any complaints (even their foreign based call centres are always polite and helpful, though I rarely have to call them).
That said, it’s good another UK operator is following suit so hats off to T-Mobile. =)
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 4:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Its Three’s customer support I have heard most complaints about. The other is the “fall back” issue – Three have removed the fallback to Orange 2G that used to exist if you had no 3G coverage and many people have found they can’t get either.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 5:19 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m new to since and only got it when the 4s came out. Yes the One Plan is great and the 3G coverage is perfect for me (never had 3G with O2 at work or home). Can’t fault them so far, but I’ve not had to use their customer service yet.
However, as you say, their fall back 2G is shafted. No 3G? I may as well use smoke signals. It’s a rare thing, but annoying none the less. At least T-Moble are in bed with Vodaphone.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 5:36 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I meant “I’m new to 3” arrrg where’s that damn edit button Verge????
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 5:37 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
My Three signal sometimes falls back to what my iPhone thinks is GPRS when I’m on a train, but in reality it’s a dead connection as far as data goes. It sometimes works for text messages, but usually not. No idea if it works for calls as I don’t make any!
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:17 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Not quite true – they’ve removed it for some areas where their 3G coverage is good and 2G isn’t required (their 3G coverage now covers 97% of the UK population). However, it’s still available where 3G reception isn’t so good. =)
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:09 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The only issue is if you need to work/study in a building that appears to have been built according to nuclear bunker specs. I’m in a city saturated with 3G coverage, yet my university’s building design kills all signals within its walls and I have no fallback as long as I’m inside. Not really Three’s fault, but it’s a minor issue. At least I have excellent wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage inside
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 10:57 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, I think that is the issue – they have removed it we her they think they have good coverage but in reality they don’t
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 11:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Three has signal in my cottage in a signal shadow at the bottom of a valley. The only operator that does. I never had any issue with signal. Streamed Spotify merrily all through the troughs and valleys of darkest Lancashire.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 2:55 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
I think Three is the worst, at least in my area. 3G signal is so poor.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:36 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Three only works in cities and towns. Once you’re out in the sticks, you’re on ‘No Service’ unfortunately.
But hey, the data is unlimited and speeds are probably higher than usual for crappy UK 3G. (around 3.5mbit down and 1.5mbit up)
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:16 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I live in Croydon, South London. I had an N96 with them, still burned by the phone and network.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:34 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Not true – I work in the countryside and 70% of my train journey to work is through countryside and it works fine for the vast majority of that journey.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:12 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Nah I’ve nearly always got coverage in the sticks with Three with only a certain area in at work where its dodgy (but there’s a crapload of electricity there, so that’s to be expected.)
Speed is accpetable with anything between 1.5mbit and 8mbit,
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh and Lichfield is cups tied with string territory.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:37 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
All I can say as a former T-Mobile customer is be very careful and read here > http://www.google.com/url?q=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D823302&sa=U&ei=aXQmT9j6C8q_8AO7wtHLBw&ved=0CAoQFjAD&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHy6MT7sw40ukaLZA1HbkHoR6WXgw Make sure you are getting full speed before signing up.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 5:46 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This is awesome news! Thank you T-Mobile! I’m happily on The One Plan with Three , and I would say that still sounds better for most customers, however this could be great for very heavy callers and people not in a good reception area with Three. At the end of the day, the more companies offering genuinely Unlimited contracts the better – I think people are willing to pay a bit extra… just give them the option (Hint Hint, Voda, O2 & Orange)!
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 6:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Can I get some speeds from people on carriers other than T-Mobile UK, in London? I can only get ~510kbps down and ~380kbps up in Canary Wharf, but faster is I head more central.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:14 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
That’s about right. I switched to giffgaff and my download speed raised by a 100k
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah, GiffGaff uses O2’s network and I have been in the situation on 02 in London where data is really fast but calling is really poor.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 11:09 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Sounds too good to be true… Whats the catch?
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:40 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The price.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
What? $65 sounds like a steal to most Americans considering our data plans can cost up to $80…
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 7:47 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Unlimited data/text/calling could be had for <$60 on US networks for a while (MetroPCS, Cricket, etc) and i’m betting other UK networks have had it at this price point as well.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:03 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I pay £32.00 for 1GB and don’t ever go over my limit….. Plus unlimited texts and 600 minutes….
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 1:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I pay £15 a month on Three for unlimited data and a bunch of text messages and minutes I never use. It’s also pay as you go so I can leave any time I like. Sounds like a much better deal than T-Mobile are offering.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:14 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Sounds fantastic, although flying in the face of Chris Ziegler’s great (US-orientated) editorial. I’m on T-Mobile (decent service, OK mobile speeds), and maybe their merger with Orange has given them enough spectrum for this kind of thing. I hope it doesn’t reduce everyone else’s speeds, though… The price seems fantastic too, so I don’t get why they’re doing it so soon after they reduced everyone’s data.
TIN FOIL HAT.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 8:30 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I think the merger is exactly the issue here – their total subscribers are actually lower than they were when separate. This is them trying to pull back
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 11:10 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
“he’s too fat, he’s too thin and he’s a pigeon-chested tosser”
- unforgettable line :)
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 9:54 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Then how come you forgot it?
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 10:24 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
*too old
typo :(
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 10:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I stream alot.. so this would be excellent for me :)
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 11:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I wish O2 did unlimited data. I went to them on recommendation and am fairly happy but their stingy data caps are a joke. I want to stream music but there’s not a cat’s chance in hell I’ll be able to do it on my 1GB allowance (which I’ve already upgraded from 500mb). Starting to wish I went with 3, or hell, even T-Mobile now…
Posted on Jan 31, 2012 | 4:02 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Just checked the small print on this – they will still charge you 30p for a photo message and 40p a minute for calling an 08 number.
Posted on Feb 01, 2012 | 8:01 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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