T-Mobile could launch data-only plans

OREANDA-NEWS. March 30, 2016. T-Mobile is reportedly set to introduce data-only plans on Wednesday that would come without the usual voice service, blog TmoNews reported on Monday, citing a purportedly leaked image describing the carrier's latest initiative. Without voice minutes, you'd have to rely on texting to communicate with someone, or make Internet-based phone calls using an app such as Skype or Whatsapp.

Assuming the report is true, T-Mobile is betting that smartphone owners are using their devices less for phone calls and more for texting, apps and Web surfing. This would be the latest bold move by the Bellevue, Washington-based company to shake up the mobile-phone market as T-Mobile battles to retain existing customers and lure new ones from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.

T-Mobile is also counting on the popularity of apps like Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts and Viber, all of which support phone calls without eating into or even requiring any voice minutes. Eliminating voice service also reduces the cost of your overall plan. T-Mobile will reportedly offer unlimited texting as further incentive.

The Simple Choice Data-Only plans would come in six varieties, according to the image published by TmoNews:

• 2 gigabytes of data for \\$20 per month
• 6GB for \\$35 per month
• 10GB for \\$50 per month
• 14GB for \\$65 per month
• 18GB for \\$80 per month
• 22GB for \\$95 per month