Latest news with #TMobile
Android Authority
4 hours ago
- Business
- Android Authority
T-Mobile may soon offer 36 month installment plans, versus the current 24-month default
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR A new report claims T-Mobile is at least considering 36-month EIPs, versus its current two-month contract for new devices. Not only is there an internal report claiming such a program is the in the works, a few smarwatches briefly showed the new terms live on T-Mobile's website before they were reverted back. It's possible 36-month EIP program will only apply to select devices like watches and tablets, though it's also certainly possible the carrier has postponed or cancelled the plan altogether. It has been years since Verizon and AT&T ditched two-year device installment plans in favor of 36-month payment plans, leaving T-Mobile as the only major carrier that doesn't lock customers into a three-year commitment. I've stated many times in the past that it was only a matter of time before the Uncarrier followed suit. It seems that time is finally approaching — at least if a new leak from The Mobile Report proves accurate. The publication points to multiple signs suggesting 36-month installments are coming soon, including a document privately shared with them detailing that 36-month Equipment Installment Plans (EIPs) are in the pipeline for at least some devices. Additionally, a few Galaxy Watch devices briefly showed the new 36-month EIP length on T-Mobile's website, as seen in the screenshot below. Andrew Grush / Android Authority Let's be honest: the Galaxy Watch incident was certainly no mere error. While the company may have prematurely posted it or decided to delay the official announcement, the deliberate mention of 36-month terms strongly suggests legitimacy. The bigger question is whether this change will apply broadly to all devices and plans. It's quite possible these new 36-month plans might be exclusive to accessories like tablets and watches, while smartphone installment plans remain unchanged. Still, it would also make sense for T-Mobile to completely phase out two-year EIPs. This move would not only lock customers in longer but also align with T-Mobile's recent shifts toward resembling the very carriers it once criticized. For example, the carrier recently began rolling taxes and fees into all newer plans, including watches, tablets, and nearly everything except home internet service. T-Mobile has also incrementally raised prices and fees across its services. However, T-Mobile would be taking a risk by making this shift. The carrier currently offers its New in Two program, which would need significant adjustments to accommodate the 36-month structure, potentially restricting it to specific devices or plans. Such a change would likely face backlash, further undermining the carrier's credibility and giving the world just another example of how T-Mobile isn't afraid to break its customer promises. After all, the Uncarrier has already made several recent changes that are largely considered regressive by its former fanbase, and frankly, two-year device payment plans remain one of the stronger advantages T-Mobile has left beyond its strong 5G network and its (slowly declining) T-Mobile Tuesdays program. For now, the only (near) certainty is that T-Mobile is at least considering introducing 36-month EIPs. T-Mobile customers: Would the end of 36-month EIPs drive you away? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % Unsure/Other (Tell us more in comments) NaN % T-Mobile's other recent moves already drove me away! NaN % As for timing, that's anyone's guess. The product page changes and the internal document suggest T-Mobile may have intended to implement this alongside other recent fee and tax adjustments, but decided either to postpone or phase it in later to avoid making a bad situation even worse. Of course, this is purely speculation on my part. I've reached out to T-Mobile for comment, but with rumors like this we typically don't get much of an answer. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
4 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Rumored T-Mobile change will be a double-edged sword for customers
New devices can be expensive, which is why many people finance their purchases through carriers. The downside to that is that customers can't leave their telecom company before paying off their device. For T-Mobile users, the installment plans are usually spread over 24 months but the company may extend the duration in the future. T-Mobile 's 24-month installments are known as "Equipment Installment Plans" or EIPs. AT&T and Verizon both switched to 36-month installment plans around four years back and now, T-Mobile is gearing up to follow suit. Apparently, T-Mobile briefly increased the duration of the installment plan for some Samsung Galaxy watches before reverting the change. T-Mobile was briefly offering longer installment plans. | Image Credit - The Mobile Report Per The Mobile Report , that wasn't a glitch. According to a leaked internal document, T-Mobile is contemplating introducing 36-month EIPs for at least some devices. The longer installment plans may only be for select plans. The new policy may violate the "New in Two" guarantee that some plans offer to make it easy for customers to upgrade every two years. For now, it looks like the change has been delayed. However, given that it went live for a while, we might see it implemented soon. Revising installment plans to stretch over 36 months instead of 24 would allow T-Mobile to retain customers for longer, thereby reducing churn, which is an industry-wide concern. For customers, this would mean being beholden to the company for a year longer. A policy introduced last year already made it less enticing for customers to pay off their devices early and relieve themselves of the obligation to stick with the company for a long time. That said, longer installment terms may not necessarily be viewed as an anti-customer move, as payments will be spread over a longer period. For customers not thinking about leaving in the future, this would mean smaller payments every an average American keeps their smartphone for more than 2.5 months, so a 36-month installment plan might be a better idea. Either way, T-Mobile will once again have to eat its words and go against its statement about giving customers the freedom to upgrade to a new device every two years. Switch to Total 5G+ Unlimited 3-Month plan or Total 5G Unlimited and get a free iPhone. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Phone Arena
10 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
T-Mobile just did something Verizon and AT&T haven't (yet)
In 2023, mobile operators across North America bought 16 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity – nearly half of their total usage. But only one matched 100% of its electricity with renewables: T-Mobile . That clean energy push helped T-Mobile slash its operational emissions by 90% between 2019 and 2023. North American operators as a whole cut emissions by 44% during that time, with T-Mobile leading the charge. In fact, North America contributed the biggest share of global net reductions over that period. Sustainability might be the next battleground for US carriers North America contributed the biggest share of global net reductions. | Image credit – GSMA US carriers love to compete – and now, the race is on to be the greenest, too. That kind of rivalry can only be a good thing for the planet. T-Mobile is currently leading on renewables, but AT&T and Verizon are clearly pushing forward as well, which could keep the pressure high. Still, the clock is ticking. Hitting net zero targets won't just require more clean energy – it's going to take faster action across the board. For example, while power sourcing is improving, fleet vehicles remain a major source of emissions – especially in the US. Operators here rely more on cars and trucks than in other regions, making fleet electrification a key area for future gains. I'm all for environmental progress and seeing US carriers take it seriously is a big deal. But whether they can keep up the pace – or even speed it up – is the real question. I mean, with AI now in the mix, the challenge might grow faster than expected. Global data center electricity use jumped 50% between 2019 and 2023, with AI demand being a big driver. That trend is not slowing down. The irony of it all? AI might also be part of the solution. It could help networks manage demand more efficiently – like turning off unused sections in real time. So yeah, we'll see how that plays out. If the momentum sticks, great. If not, these early wins could be short-lived.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
The One App Travel Experts Say Everyone Should Download Before Going Abroad
The One App Travel Experts Say Everyone Should Download Before Going Abroad originally appeared on Parade. When traveling abroad, especially to many different countries, it can be stressful and difficult to figure out how to get cell service. Many cellular carriers in the United States have international plans; however, they can be a bit expensive, have strict limits on amount of gigabytes used and are difficult to keep track of your usage. I used to work as a cruise ship performer, and was often traveling to different countries every single day for weeks at a time. I found that although my home cellular carrier, T-Mobile, offered an international plan, it wasn't very reliable or affordable. I would constantly get stuck with the predicament of running out of gigabytes in my cellular plan, and I'd have to roam with incredibly low-speed internet. When trying to use Google Maps to navigate around foreign cities, or attempting to communicate with my family, this became quite a problem. Related: On TikTok, @beachykj, also known as the carry-on queen, shares valuable travel tips all over her social media. From packing tips, flying hacks and app recommendations, her page is a great spot for all things travel. Averaging 75 flights a year, KJ knows what she's talking about. In one video, KJ shares her most-used app while traveling–Airalo. She shares that roaming charges can be incredibly absurd, and that she's come home to expensive phone bills after trips abroad–clearly regretting that mistake. She then introduces Airalo, which is an app that allows users to buy and download eSims onto their phones, allowing them to get cell service to their specific location. This is similar to a physical Sim card that you can place into your phone, but with this app, you can download it straight onto your device without having to insert anything into your phone. KJ continues to share that having data when she travels is non-negotiable, and she uses it constantly for navigating maps, social platforms, working and communicating with others. It can be deceiving how quickly data gets used up, and Airalo tends to be a cheaper option than any offerings from American cell service lines. Related: When getting an eSim through the Airalo app, you can start by choosing the country or region that you are traveling in. There are local eSims, where you can choose one specific country to get your coverage in. Then, there are regional eSims, which give you a more generalized area–like Europe, Caribbean Islands, or Oceania. You can also choose a global eSim, which gives you global service. Within each of these categories, you choose which eSims you want based on gigabytes used. The wider the range of your location, the more expensive the eSim. For example, the local eSims are the cheapest, while the global eSims are the most expensive. Related: I've used just about every type of eSim on the Airalo app while traveling, and the type that I've used always depended on how many countries I was visiting within a given amount of time. One thing that I found incredibly useful in the app is that you can easily track how much data you've used. This way, you have an idea of when you'll need to purchase more coverage. Another great reason to use Airalo is that it finds the best cell service provider in the area that you're in. When I was traveling onboard cruise ships, I would often toggle between my eSim and my home T-Mobile plan, which gave me a small amount of International coverage every month. In the top corner of my phone, I would always see what cell service company my phone would be connected to. Many times, the one that T-Mobile would connect to would be different from the one Airalo connected to, and 9 times out of 10, the service through Airalo was much faster. Lastly, a great perk with using the Airalo app is that if you share it with a friend, and they download the app using the link that Airalo creates for you, you will get Airmoney added to your account. This is a balance that can go towards future eSims, helping you save money as well. With every referral, Airalo sends $3 to the friend who uses your code, and you get $3 added to your account in return. Ultimately, I find that the Airalo app takes away a lot of stress when it comes to traveling and having access to the internet, and saves me money while doing so. Sources: One App Travel Experts Say Everyone Should Download Before Going Abroad first appeared on Parade on Jun 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T are under pressure – and it's not from each other this time
Mobile Net Zero report shows momentum is building. | Image credit – GSMA Still, to hit net zero by 2050, the pace needs to more than double. Emissions must fall 7.5% per year until 2030 – so far, we're not even close. Quick hits from the GSMA report: 2024 is off to a decent start: emissions are estimated to be down another 4.5%. 37% of electricity used by mobile operators came from renewables in 2023, up from just 13% in 2019. 81 operators (covering almost half the planet's mobile connections) have committed to science-based climate targets. Operational emissions dropped in most regions between 2019 and 2023, with Europe leading the way at -56%. North America followed with a 44% cut and Latin America trimmed 36%. Greater China, on the other hand, saw an 8% increase during that time – but early 2024 data shows a nearly 4% drop. If that trend holds, it could be a game changer globally, since China is the world's biggest smartphone market. – Steven Moore, Head of Climate Action at the GSMA, June 2025 A huge chunk of emissions still comes from power use. Operators like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T used 290 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2023 alone – roughly 1% of global energy use. That includes running networks, stores, data centers and even EV fleets. But the big elephant in the room? Scope 3 emissions – things like phone manufacturing and supply chains – make up over two-thirds of the industry's total carbon footprint. And they're still a mess to track. The good news: more people want greener tech. Nearly 90% of users care about repairability and longevity and almost half say they'd consider a refurbished phone. Refurbs generate up to 90% fewer emissions and the second-hand phone market is booming – expected to hit $150 billion by 2027. Video credit – GSMA So, why should we care about this? Well, it's pretty simple: the networks powering your life – yes, I'm looking at you, T-Mobile , AT&T and Verizon – are major players in this global effort. Their commitment (or lack thereof) to sustainability directly impacts our planet's future, and let's be honest, it's increasingly becoming a competitive battleground, too. T-Mobile 's been loud and proud about its green goals. In 2023, it pledged to hit net-zero emissions across the board, and earlier this year, it came up with a clever idea: turning old phones into Wi-Fi routers to cut down on e-waste. Verizon is also in the game, targeting net zero by 2050. To get there, it just expanded its deal with Invenergy, locking in 640 megawatts of solar power across four US states. But, still, it's not all about carbon cuts. There's also growing attention on "energy justice" – making sure these green shifts also benefit underserved communities. Sustainability isn't just a tech problem – it's a people problem, too. And being aware of what each company does is a good idea. It's honestly pretty exciting to see the mobile industry – usually slammed for being wasteful – start making real moves on sustainability. Seeing emissions drop while data usage keeps climbing shows there's some serious behind-the-scenes innovation happening. It shows that innovation doesn't just mean a faster chip or a better camera; it can also mean a greener network. That said, the hard part is still ahead. The GSMA report makes it clear: cutting emissions twice as fast and cracking down on those giant Scope 3 numbers won't be easy. And it's not just about throwing up more solar panels (though, hey, that helps). It's about rethinking how phones are made, where the parts come from, and what happens when we're done with them. For us, that means looking a little closer at which brands and carriers are actually doing the work. Would I pick a phone or a plan based on how green it is? If the performance and price are solid, too – definitely. Sustainability should quickly become part of the decision-making checklist.
