T-Mobile details free global data and texting for Simple Choice customers

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....84_620x340.jpgPhase one was abolishing traditional two-year contracts and subsidies, phase two was the Jump "anytime upgrade" program... so what does T-Mobile have in store for its third Uncarrier announcement? As a leak -- and the promised partnership with Shakira -- hinted, the news is unlimited data and texting worldwide. Tonight in New York City, CEO John Legere said that the network is expanding home data coverage for Simple Choice customers to include more than 100 countries -- from Anguilla to Vietnam-- at no additional charge. Voice calls, meanwhile, will cost 20 cents per minutes in those same countries. "Wherever, Whenever," right?
The new global data offering will go into effect starting October 31st, and T-Mobile says customers with qualifying plans won't need to sign up or pay a fee to access basic service. Legere declined to detail free speeds, but we'd expect 2G performance -- enough to use text-based apps like Twitter and email, but insufficient for media consumption. Power users can boost speeds with any of three paid passes: one day and 100MB for $15, one week and 200MB for $25 or two weeks and 500MB for $50. Once your plan runs out, you can buy another, or revert to free service. To ensure that only travelers take advantage of free plans, each period abroad can be no longer than six weeks, and during a three-month period, six weeks must be spent in the US.
For those folks at home, the carrier is offering a new Stateside International Talk and Text plan that lets Simple Choice customers call or text participating countries for no more than 20 cents a minute. (Calls to landlines will be free to over 70 of those countries.) That plan will cost $10 a month. As anyone who's been abroad with a smartphone knows, getting connected is expensive, complicated or both. As for other carriers following suit? Legere has some words for them, too. "What our competitors should do is wait a year to see if this hurts us. Let 'em go for another year and see what happens." Head past the break for an intro video, along with a full list of participating Simple Choice countries.

http://www.t-mobile.com/