seeing BB web for $20

[Artemis68]

So the other day, I logged into my t-mo account and I saw a new data option that I could switch to.

It's called "Preferred BB web" for $20.

I'm not going to switch because I need unlimited text and I already have the 34.99 package, but I thought it was weird. Why is T-Mobile putting it out there? I thought the $30 data plan was what they wanted everyone to have...? Wouldn't they lose $$ on this?

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[CharredPC]

Originally Posted by Artemis68

So the other day, I logged into my t-mo account and I saw a new data option that I could switch to.

It's called "Preferred BB web" for $20.

I'm not going to switch because I need unlimited text and I already have the 34.99 package, but I thought it was weird. Why is T-Mobile putting it out there? I thought the $30 data plan was what they wanted everyone to have...? Wouldn't they lose $$ on this?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Thanks for posting this! The new $20 plan is just web access without the email push- my wife happily did drop her plan down from the $30 one (never uses email), but I finally upgraded from my required $15 Unlimited Texting to this $20 Preferred Web. Of course, then I had to add on the 300 texts for $5, so the entire thing was a sort of wash money-wise... though I now have a true BlackBerry data on my line, not the old direct tcp/ip T-Zones apn connection.

[Artemis68]

Oh wow, so the $20 web online is just web (and probably BBM) but no push email via BIS? Wow that's interesting! I had no idea they offered that now.

in that case, I would definitely stay with my BB web/txt package, as I use push email all the time!

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[CharredPC]

Yeah, it allows all the default BB plan stuff (BB Maps, BBM, Facebook, IM apps, VVM, web etc) it just doesn't have push email. In fact, I can't even get the Gmail app to set up on my wife's phone- it only gets "Unexpected Server Response". Mine works, but it was installed and running previously, so could still be using the alternate APN settings.

Edit: Got her Gmail working Just had to connect to Wifi momentarily so the app could set up via TCP/IP instead of through BIS. Now it's no different than before, except that she pays $10 less. Maybe this new plan isn't for everyone, but it's a great option. Thanks, T-Mobile!

[Artemis68]

Yeah that's totally awesome! If my mom was on T-Mo, she would probably use it since she doesn't like email on her phone. Lots of people just want web and that's it. $20 is also easier to swallow than $30.

I really need my push email for school and such but if I didn't, I'd use this

I'm glad they offer this option now...but they need to say "web only, no email" on the site, just to be a little more clear.

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[ralfyguy]

Originally Posted by Artemis68

Yeah that's totally awesome! If my mom was on T-Mo, she would probably use it since she doesn't like email on her phone. Lots of people just want web and that's it. $20 is also easier to swallow than $30.

I really need my push email for school and such but if I didn't, I'd use this

I'm glad they offer this option now...but they need to say "web only, no email" on the site, just to be a little more clear.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I tried to force me to sign up for that when I logged in. I have the $24.99 + 400 messages included. Why would I change and pay $30 fo 1000 messages and unlimited web without email. To **** with that. I closed it without changes. So to get the same I have now it would be $35 a month including just 300 messages?

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[ralfyguy]

It tried to force me to sign up for that when I logged in. I have the $24.99 + 400 messages included. Why would I change and pay $30 fo 1000 messages and unlimited web without email. To **** with that. I closed it without changes. So to get the same I have now it would be $35 a month including just 300 messages?

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[CharredPC]

Originally Posted by ralfyguy

It tried to force me to sign up for that when I logged in. I have the $24.99 + 400 messages included. Why would I change and pay $30 fo 1000 messages and unlimited web without email. To **** with that. I closed it without changes. So to get the same I have now it would be $35 a month including just 300 messages?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Maybe that's the point of this new plan change. It looks cheaper on the surface, but it might actually costs more for some (most?) people to get the same services. Another forced "restructuring" that makes some people happy they are grandfathered into the old ways, perhaps?

Works great for me & mine, though. Push email isn't important to me... my Gmail app automatically checks the mail for me periodically, so there'd only be a theoretical few minutes where I'm not notified. If I were really worried or expected something immediately, I could always hit "refresh" I'm happy to pay 33% less for that "hassle."

[TheScionicMan]

If you've got data, you can SMS for free with the Google Voice app. Could make it even more affordable...

[Artemis68]

ralfyguy,

That's weird...I didn't get pushed to change to any plan. My old 34.99 (data/msg) plan satisfied the requirement and now they don't push me online to change.
Even if you have an old plan, you should be okay and shouldn't have to change.

CharredPC - I was told by someone (who doesn't have the plan) that it DOES include email. But it really doesn't? So you don't get the option to set up your push email either on your phone or online?

[Artemis68]

Originally Posted by TheScionicMan

If you've got data, you can SMS for free with the Google Voice app. Could make it even more affordable...

Yeah that is a good idea...

The only problem is receiving. Unfortunately, T-Mobile bills for incoming txts as well as sent, so you'd still have to pay .20/msg for each message you receive.

[CharredPC]

Originally Posted by Artemis68

ralfyguy,

That's weird...I didn't get pushed to change to any plan. My old 34.99 (data/msg) plan satisfied the requirement and now they don't push me online to change.
Even if you have an old plan, you should be okay and shouldn't have to change.

CharredPC - I was told by someone (who doesn't have the plan) that it DOES include email. But it really doesn't? So you don't get the option to set up your push email either on your phone or online?

We didn't get pushed to change anything, we had to go look for it (wife had the $30 plan, I had the $15 Unlimited Texting). I think it only pops up and harasses you if it determines that what you have doesn't 'satisfy the requirements' for having a BlackBerry. Just guessing, but maybe older grandfathered plans don't automatically fall into that category... plus they'd love for you to drop those older services and use the new ones.

I'm assuming there's no email, because of the descriptions:

$30.00- BlackBerry Unlimited Web: Harness the power of your BlackBerry to stay connected on the go with Web access. Search the mobile Web; send/receive personal e-mail; play online games; get directions, news, stock quotes, weather, sports, and more. Includes Unlimited Web access and Unlimited personal e-mail.

$20.00- Preferred BlackBerry Unlimited Web: Preferred BlackBerry Unlimited Web Only

I'm assuming it's cheaper because you're only using their data service, and not putting any load on their push servers. Like I said, we never use push email... but if anyone can describe to me how to test it, I'd be happy to do so to solve the question

[ralfyguy]

I logged into my account and went to change services to check out the new plan. That's when it prompted me that I HAVE to change. I closed the window without going any further.

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[ralfyguy]

I hope it didn't change anyways. I'm afraid to log back in.
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[TheScionicMan]

Originally Posted by Artemis68

Yeah that is a good idea...

The only problem is receiving. Unfortunately, T-Mobile bills for incoming txts as well as sent, so you'd still have to pay .20/msg for each message you receive.

You can send and receive for free with GVoice app, the biggest hurdle is to get your current contacts to start using your GVoice number because they don't have a porting option yet. You can also change the ReplyTo number on the phone's native SMS app to the GVoice number