Overview: Postpaid Plans by T-Mobile (Cellular Data Plans)

T-Mobile has been the carrier to 'shake-up' the cellular industry in the past few years.

While their native coverage continues to lag behind that of Verizon and AT&T, an impending merger with Sprint promises greater coverage, spectrum ownership, and more speed in the future.

Currently, T-Mobile offers several postpaid plan options:

Essentials - For smartphones and tablets
ONE - For smartphones and tablets
ONE+ - For smartphones and tablets (includes 20GB of high speed mobile hotspot use)
Global Plus 15GB (*TOP PICK*) - Global add-on for smartphones (includes unlimited domestic 4G hotspot use)
ONE 55+ - Same as plans above, but with a $20/line discount for those over 55
Tiered Data Only Plans - For mobile hotspot devices or tablets

For Our Comparative Pricing Grid:
Guide to Cellular Data Plan Pricing

Unlimited Plans
- Current
- Retired
Tiered Plans
Data Only Plans
- Hotspot/Connected Car
- Tablet
General Postpaid Policies (Member Only)
Discounts (Member Only)
Analysis (Member Only)
Related News
Purchasing Options

Unlimited Plans

In August 2016 T-Mobile launched the "all unlimited" ONE and ONE+ plans. In January of 2017, T-Mobile went 'all in' on unlimited plans - making them the only T-Mobile postpaid option available to new customers. In August 2017, T-Mobile added a senior unlimited plan with reduced pricing for account holders 55 years of age and older. In August 2018, T-Mobile added a stripped-down "Essentials" plan intended as a no-frills unlimited smartphone plan, and retired their ONE+International plan option. In November, 2018 T-Mobile added the 'Global Plus' option - quickly changing it to the 'Global Plus 15GB AMP UP' option.

Current Unlimited Plans

T-Mobile Global Plus 15GB: $120/Single Line
- Global Plus 15GB AMP UP - adds 15GB of high speed international use around the world (5GB in Canada/Mexica), 5GB of high speed international tethering and 1080 video streaming internationally. Additionally, while in the US, the plan includes unlimited high speed mobile hotspot use.
T-Mobile ONE+: $80/Single Line
- ONE+ 'AMP UP' - smartphone and tablet plans include unlimited talk, text, and on device data. The '+ AMP UP' adds 20GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data to the ONE plan, then unlimited 3G speed mobile hotspot data. HD video is also permitted.
T-Mobile ONE: $70/Single Line
- Smartphone and tablet plans include unlimited talk, text, and on device data. Mobile hotspot data is unlimited at 3G speeds.
T-Mobile Essentials: $60/Single Line
- Plan focuses on unlimited talk, text and smartphone on device data but cuts out many ONE plan perks - like high-speed international data, a free Netflix subscription and HD video.

Policies & Perks

Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
Carrier Relationship: Direct
Plan Types Available: Phone (unlimited talk/text), tablet
Devices Permitted: Phone, tablets
- Hotspot devices are not eligible to be added to any of T-Mobile's current Unlimited plans.
- Tablets can be added to any unlimited plan for $20/line.
- Tablets can be added as a singular device on a ONE plan (no other phone devices on the plan) for $75/month.
Device Purchase Required: No
Mobile Hotspot / Tethering:
- Global Plus 15GB: includes unlimited 4G/LTE high-speed mobile hotspot use while in the US. On-device data speeds are prioritized over mobile hotspot speeds, so on congested towers there may be a noticeable performance hit for mobile hotspot.
- T-Mobile ONE+: adds 20GB of high-speed mobile hotspot use, then unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G (512kbps) speeds. On-device data speeds are prioritized over mobile hotspot speeds, so on congested towers there may be a noticeable performance hit for mobile hotspot.
- T-Mobile ONE: unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G (512kbps) speeds. On-device data speeds are prioritized over mobile hotspot speeds, so on congested towers there may be a noticeable performance hit for mobile hotspot.
- Essentials customers can add 10GB of 4G LTE hotspot data for an additional cost.
Network Management / Throttling:
- Global/ONE/+ plan customers who are in the top 3% of heaviest users on T-Mobile (currently those using 50GB/mo) are subject to network management once they have crossed this monthly threshold, which means that their ongoing usage will be slowed down relative to other T-Mobile customers - but only when towers are congested.
- Essentials plans are always subject to network management.
International Roaming:
- Global Plus 15GB
  - Can be added to a line for $50 add-on/month option and is available for customers on a postpaid T-Mobile One/One+ plan only. With Global Plus, customers get 15GB high-speed data on device while roaming in a Simple Global country (only 5GB in Canada/Mexico) and 5GB of high-speed tethering usage in Simple Global countries. Additional features include unlimited HD video streaming around the world, and unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi.
- ONE/+
  - Mobile Without Borders - Canada & Mexico: All T-Mobile ONE plans can be used anywhere in Mexico & Canada just as if you were at home, including tethering! However, data usage is capped to just 5GB per month of combined usage in Canada and Mexico. And T-Mobile does reserve the right to enforce a policy that the plan needs to be used 'mostly' in the USA. Essentials plan only include 128 kbps speeds over the borders.
  - Simple Mobile - Rest of the World: T-Mobile ONE plans include free unlimited international text messaging, and free unlimited data in over 210 counties internationally at a slow (but useable) 128kbps speed. T-Mobile also has reasonable rates for voice calls too. Having ONE+ bumps you up to 256kbps speeds.
  - Day Passes - T-Mobile offers $5 days passes for 512mb of high-speed data, then unlimited 2G speed data for 24-hours in their international roaming countries. A max of 2 day passes per 24-hour period may be purchased.
- Essentials:
  - Unlimited talk, text, and 2G data in Mexico and Canada, plus unlimited texting and a flat rate calling price n 210+ countries and destinations.
Domestic Roaming: After 200mb of domestic roaming data usage, T-Mobile cuts off roaming network usage until your next billing cycle, or until you're back in a native area on all plans.
Data Roll Over: N/A
Overage Charges: None - unless you request 'add-ons' such as 'day passes.'
Streaming:
- Video Perks:
  - ONE/ONE+ plans with at least two lines are provided with a free basic Netflix account.
- Streaming Restrictions:
  - The base ONE plan and Essentials plan are restricted 480p video resolution.
  - However, upgrading to ONE+ (AMP UP) allows for full HD (1080p) resolution video streaming.
  - Canada & Mexico: While usage is still unlimited in these countries, video will be throttled down to 480p.
  - Global Plus 15GB includes 1080p video streaming around the world.
Taxes & Fees:
- ONE/+ plans are flat priced and inclusive of taxes & fees.
- Essentials plans do not include taxes & fees.
Other Plan Perks:
- Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi:
  - ONE plans include one hour per flight of free Gogo access to get a smartphone online.
  - Those on ONE+ can add unlimited Gogo usage and a few other perks for an additional fee.
  - Adding Global Plus merits unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi.
- T-Mobile Tuesdays
- T-Mobile MONEY

+-ONE+International and Original ONE+ - Retired August 2018

On August 10, 2018 rolled out the Essentials plan, and increased the price & hotspot use of ONE+. They also snuck in the retirement of ONE+ International.

Those who had ONE+International or ONE+ active as of 8/9/2018 are now grandfathered in under these terms:

ONE+ International (+$25/month on top of One): Unlimited 4G mobile hotspot use and not subject to the Canada/Mexico 5GB/mo cap. However, the carrier reserves the right to de-prioritize mobile hotspot use under on device use, and high data users who are primarily using the plan for tethering may be contacted by the carrier to discuss options (this seems to be an issue if you consistently consume more than 50GB of total data per month and over 50% of your usage is mobile hotspot). International use beyond North America is at 256k speeds, with $5 day passes available for high-speed use.
ONE+ (+$10/month) - This option included 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot use per line and HD video.

Tiered Plans

in January 2017 T-Mobile retired its popular Simple Choice plans for new customers, leaving the unlimited ONE plans or tiered data only plans as the only choice for new T-Mobile postpaid customers. T-Mobile does not currently offer tiered plans that offer text/voice.

+-Simple Choice Plans - Retired January 2017

T-Mobile began phasing out Simple Choice plans in September 2016, and eliminated them in January 2017. However, they have gone on record that they will grandfather these plans for as long as customers keep paying their bill. These plans had tiered high-speed data caps, Binge On unlimited video streaming and Data Stash.

In particular, we regularly recommended the $35/month 6GB data only plan.

Policies & Perks

Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
Carrier Relationship: Direct
Plan Types Available: Data only
Devices Permitted: Hotspot, tablet, phone
International: Binge On video streaming is not included outside the USA. Simple Choice customers can purchase pricey Data Passes for 3G international speeds for outside of North America.
Mobile Hotspot Use: T-Mobile plans include mobile hotspot use, however, they do prioritize on device data over tethered / mobile hotspot data on all smartphone and tablet plans when on congested towers.
Data Roll Over: Any high-speed data you don't use is rolled over into 'Data Stash' for up to a year. You can accumulate up to 20GB in this account, to use when you need it.
Overage Charges: T-Mobile never charges overage fees. Once you hit your high-speed data cap, you are simply slowed down to 2G speeds for the rest of the billing period.
Streaming:
- Simple Choice - Binge On! All Simple Choice plans (postpaid) with 6GB of data or more include video streaming that does not count against your high-speed data cap on partnered networks (including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, YouTube, etc.), but at DVD-quality lower resolution. It officially only works on-device or when tethered to a laptop - but many have reported success using the service now with Roku, AppleTV, Chromecast, FireTV, etc (be sure to carefully watch your data usage!) They also include free music streaming over many services. (Note, their Prepaid plans do NOT include the video streaming.) Binge On usage does count towards network management thresholds and is subject to slower speeds for high usage customers when on congested towers after using 32GB of data in a month.

Data Only Plans

Hotspots & Connected Car Devices

For dedicated data devices, like hotspot devices and the Sync Up Drive connected car device, T-Mobile offers data plans in tiered data buckets. There is no unlimited data option for hotspot devices or connected car devices.

Data buckets are available in 2GB - 22GB quantities.

Policies & Perks

Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
Carrier Relation: Postpaid Direct
Plan Types Available: Data Only - texting available on eligible devices
Device Types Permitted: Hotspots/Routers
Device Purchase Required: Not required - can use your own device. $25 SIM purchase fee.
Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes
Throttling/Network Management: Data is at full speed up to the plan's data cap, then slowed to 128kbps speeds after bucket used.
International Roaming: 5GB of LTE data usage in Mexico & Canada.128 kbps speed data usage abroad in 140+ countries & destinations. Not for extended international use; you must reside in the U.S. and primary usage must occur on our U.S. network. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming.
Domestic Roaming: 200MB domestic roaming per month.
Data Roll Over: None. Unused data is lost.
Overage Charges: T-Mobile never charges overage fees.
Streaming: No additional streaming services are provided. Plan is auto-throttled to DVD-quality video streaming (480p), but is eligible for unlimited (free) HD passes.
Unlimited: True unlimited plans not available for data only devices. However, unlimited data usage throttled to 128Kbps is provided after monthly data bucket is utilized.
Max Number of Lines per Account: 5
Taxes & Fees: Included in plan price

Tablets

Can be activated as stand alone devices on ONE unlimited plans for $75/month, or as a stand alone on ONE Plus AMP UP for an additional cost. Tablets can also be be added to any existing unlimited plan account (with at least 2 lines) for $20/line. All ONE/ONE Plus plan details apply to these lines.

Policies & Perks

Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
Carrier Relationship: Direct
Plan Types Available: Tablet
Devices Permitted: Tablets
Device Purchase Required: No
Mobile Hotspot / Tethering:
- T-Mobile ONE+: 20GB of high-speed mobile hotspot use, then unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G (512kbps) speeds. On-device data speeds are prioritized over mobile hotspot speeds, so on congested towers there may be a noticeable performance hit for mobile hotspot.
- T-Mobile ONE: unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G (512kbps) speeds. On-device data speeds are prioritized over mobile hotspot speeds, so on congested towers there may be a noticeable performance hit for mobile hotspot.
Network Management / Throttling: plan customers who are in the top 3% of heaviest users on T-Mobile (currently those using 50GB/mo) are subject to network management once they have crossed this monthly threshold, which means that their ongoing usage will be slowed down relative to other T-Mobile customers - but only when towers are congested.
International Roaming:
- Mobile Without Borders - Canada & Mexico: plans can be used anywhere in Mexico & Canada just as if you were at home, including tethering. However, data usage is capped to just 5GB per month of combined usage in Canada and Mexico. And T-Mobile does reserve the right to enforce a policy that the plan needs to be used 'mostly' in the USA.
- Simple Mobile - Rest of the World: plans include free unlimited international text messaging, and free unlimited data in over 210 counties internationally at a slow (but useable) 128kbps speed. T-Mobile also has reasonable rates for voice calls too. Having ONE+ bumps you up to 256kbps speeds.
- Day Passes - T-Mobile offers $5 days passed for 24-hours of high-speed data use in their international roaming countries.
Domestic Roaming: After 200mb of domestic roaming data usage, T-Mobile cuts off roaming network usage until your next billing cycle, or until you're back in a native area on all plans.
Data Roll Over: N/A
Overage Charges: None - unless you request 'add-ons' such as 'day passes.'
Streaming:
- Video Perks: ONE/ONE+ plans with at least two lines are provided with a free basic Netflix account. Single line Tablet plans do not include Netflix.
- Streaming Restrictions:
  - The base ONE plan and Essentials plan are restricted 480p video resolution.
  - ONE+ (AMP UP) allows for full HD (1080p) resolution video streaming in US.
  - Canada & Mexico: While usage is still unlimited in these countries, video will be throttled down to 480p.
Taxes & Fees: Included in plan pricing.
Max Lines Per Account: 5
Other Plan Perks: None.

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Overview: Postpaid Plans by T-Mobile (Cellular Data Plans)

For Our Comparative Pricing Grid:
Guide to Cellular Data Plan Pricing

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