T-Mobile responds to Verizon with new smartphone giveaway

Last week, Verizon Wireless increased the size and cost of it’s data buckets, immediately prompting social media responses from the CEOs of T-Mobile U.S. and Sprint. Now, T-Mobile US is launching a new promo that couples specific data plans with new smartphones.
Starting July 13, T-Mobile US will offer existing or new subscribers on the Simple Choice plan, which offers six gigabytes or 10 GB of unthrottled data per month, a new Samsung Galaxy device for up to 12 people on a single plan.
Family plans will go for $30 per line up to four lines, each of which has access to 6 GB of LTE data. Each member can get a Samsung Galaxy On5, based on monthly service credits during a 24-month no-cost finance agreement.
“This is our best deal ever – a free Samsung Galaxy smartphone on us. And this is a lifeline for the carriers’ long-abused customers, who have got to be sick of the rate hikes, the restrictions and the carrier BS,” said T-Mobile US CEO John Legere, in a statement. “We’ve found a better way to do wireless at the ‘Un-carrier.’ That’s why T-Mobile customers are the most satisfied wireless customers in America.”
Knocking Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile US reps said, “Un-carrier customers are used to getting more without being asked to pay more. More freedom from overages and bill shock.”
Verizon Wireless is billing its data plan changes as lowering the cost per gigabyte of data. Specifically, the small data bucket doubled to 2 GB per month for an additional $5. The mid-tier plan goes from 3 GB to 4 GB with a cost change from $45 to $50.