T-Mobile has launched a new unlimited plan aimed at families and small groups, called “Better Value,” which expands on existing benefits. While it appears attractive at first glance, especially for those seeking more hotspot data and international roaming, the eligibility requirements and fine print matter significantly. The plan’s structure and incentives reveal that T-Mobile is focused on attracting new customers and rewarding existing long-term users.
Pricing and Feature Comparison
For three lines with AutoPay, the Better Value plan costs $140 per month (plus taxes and fees), matching the price of T-Mobile’s Experience More plan. The cheaper Essentials plan is $90 for three lines but lacks the added perks that make the other two options more compelling. All three plans offer unlimited data on T-Mobile’s 5G network, a five-year price guarantee, and two-year device upgrades.
The key difference lies in the details: Better Value provides 250GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data—significantly more than Experience More’s 60GB. Both plans throttle hotspot speeds to 600kbps after the high-speed allowance is exhausted. The most expensive plan, Experience Beyond, offers unlimited high-speed hotspot data.
International Use and Additional Benefits
Better Value also stands out with its international roaming benefits. The plan includes 30GB of high-speed data for use in Mexico and Canada, along with 30GB for use in 215 other countries, whereas Experience More offers 15GB in North America and 5GB elsewhere. T-Satellite, normally a $10 add-on, is included at no extra cost.
The plan also bundles Netflix Standard with Ads and Hulu, with Apple TV available for an additional $3/month. These streaming services are also included with the Experience More plan.
Who Qualifies?
Here’s where things get specific. To qualify for Better Value, new customers must port in three or more lines from another carrier and have two eligible transfers. This targets families or small businesses switching providers.
Existing T-Mobile customers face a higher barrier: the Better Value plan is only available to those who have been a T-Mobile postpaid customer for at least five years. Notably, long-term customers may also find that their current plans have taxes and fees included, while Better Value does not, making the actual cost comparison more complex.
Strategic Incentives
The Better Value plan is not being heavily promoted in retail stores, where customers are directed toward the T-Life app or T-Mobile.com to sign up. T-Mobile has framed this as a limited-time offer, but confirmed that it currently has no end date. This suggests that the company is testing the market and gauging customer response before making any long-term commitments.
T-Mobile’s new plan isn’t just about better perks; it’s a strategic move to lock in loyal customers and attract new ones by leveraging exclusivity and long-term commitment.
Ultimately, the Better Value plan is worth considering if you meet the requirements, especially if you frequently use mobile hotspot or travel internationally. However, the fine print demonstrates that T-Mobile is carefully structuring its offerings to maximize customer retention and growth.
