T-Mobile quietly rolled out a new limited-time plan on January 14 that gives heavy hotspot users and international travelers more data for the same $140 monthly cost as its second-tier unlimited plan.
At a Glance
- T-Mobile’s Better Value plan costs $140 for three lines and matches the price of its Experience More plan
- Plan includes 250GB of high-speed hotspot data, more than four times the 60GB offered by Experience More
- International travelers get 30GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries, compared to 5GB with Experience More
- Why it matters: Heavy data users can get premium features without paying for T-Mobile’s top-tier plan
The Better Value plan targets families and accounts with three or more lines, but comes with loyalty requirements that could exclude newer customers. The plan requires either switching from another carrier with two eligible number ports, or having at least five years of T-Mobile postpaid history.
How the Plans Compare
T-Mobile positions Better Value against its own Experience More plan rather than the budget Essentials option. Both Better Value and Experience More cost $140 monthly for three lines with AutoPay active, not including taxes and fees.
Better Value Plan Advantages:
- 250GB high-speed hotspot data vs. 60GB on Experience More
- 30GB international high-speed data vs. 15GB in North America and 5GB elsewhere
- Free T-Satellite service ($10 add-on for other plans)
Shared Features:
- Unlimited 5G data
- Five-year price guarantee
- Two-year device upgrade eligibility
- Netflix Standard with Ads and Hulu included
- Apple TV available for $3 per month
After hitting hotspot limits, both plans drop to unlimited data at 600 kbps. The highest-tier Experience Beyond plan remains the only option for unlimited high-speed hotspot data.
The Loyalty Catch
The Better Value plan’s restrictions reveal T-Mobile’s strategy to reward long-term customers while attracting switchers from competitors.
For Switchers:
- Must activate three or more lines
- Requires two eligible number ports from previous carrier
For Existing Customers:
- Must have five years of T-Mobile postpaid history
- May lose tax-and-fee-inclusive pricing from older plans
The plan will be available through the T-Life app and T-Mobile’s website, with retail store employees directing customers to these digital channels.
Market Position
T-Mobile’s pricing strategy puts Better Value in direct competition with its own Experience More plan rather than attacking Verizon or AT&T. The $140 price point for three lines sits between budget options like Essentials at $90 and premium unlimited plans.
The five-year loyalty requirement excludes many existing customers who might otherwise upgrade. Long-term subscribers should compare their current plan’s total cost, including taxes and fees, against Better Value’s $140 base price before switching.
Key Differences from Experience More:
- Better Value includes T-Satellite; Experience More offers one year of AAA
- Better Value has superior international data allowances
- Both plans maintain the same five-year price protection
The limited-time nature of the offer, announced without an end date, suggests T-Mobile may adjust availability based on customer response and competitive reactions.
