12:38 PM 11/7/2019
TMUS opened a new front in the cellphone pricing wars, unveiling a monthly data plan that starts at $15 as the company responds to critics that its planned merger with Sprint Corp. will lessen competition.
Half the Cricket rate.
AT&T's (T) prepaid Cricket service offers a similar 2GB plan for $30 a month. Sprint's Boost charges $35 a month for 3GB.
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T-Mobile's proposed takeover of Sprint, the No. 4 provider, has secured approval from federal telecommunications and antitrust officials, but has been delayed by an antitrust suit brought by a coalition of state attorneys general.
The states, led by New York and California, worry the deal would stifle competition, especially in the market for prepaid mobile plans that tend to cost less. A trial is set for Dec. 9.
T-Mobile Chief Executive John Legere said he wrote to attorneys general Thursday morning, including New York's Letitia James, laying out the new pricing plan and other moves, and said he had met with several in recent weeks to hear their concerns.
"What's important to these states is exactly the things we're talking about," Mr. Legere said, adding that he was confident the Sprint deal would be able to progress after either a settlement or successful trial.
In addition to offering the $15 prepaid plan, T-Mobile said it would also offer free in-home internet for some low- income and rural households with children, as well as free wireless service to first responders. It plans to offer free internet to 10 million households with children, a move that amounts to a $10 billion commitment by the combined company. First responders will have access to free 5G wireless service for 10 years, T-Mobile said.
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and T hit a 52-week high today |
