T-Mobile entices subscribers with stock options, weekly prizes, free in-flight Wi-Fi
T-Mobile at its latest "Un-carrier" event on Monday announced a fresh set of incentives designed to woo subscribers, including a stock program for customers, weekly giveaways and free Gogo Wi-Fi service on domestic flights.
Announced by CEO John Legere in his usual over-the-top fashion, the new set of offers is part of continued efforts to boost customer churn from competing networks, while at the same time solidifying T-Mobile retention rates. As with past T-Mobile incentives, existing subscribers net the greatest rewards from today's "Un-carrier 11" promotions.
For example, the stock program, called Stock Up, provides T-Mobile postpaid customers a single share of the company's common stock. Subscribers can net an additional share -- up to 100 shares per year -- by referring a friend, while customers who have been with the network for five or more years get an additional two shares for each recommendation until 2017.
The stock program is run through T-Mobile's brokerage partner, Loyal3. Owners receive the first share free through the T-Mobile Tuesdays app and pay no maintenance fees as long as they're active customers.
Users of the T-Mobile Tuesday app can also redeem a pizza from Domino's, a Wendy's drink and a special gift each week. Prizes come from a variety of brand partners including American Giant, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cond? Nast, Fanatics, Fandango, Gilt, HotelTonight, JackThreads, Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures, Lyft, Major League Baseball, MGM Resorts International, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Shell, StubHub, The Clymb, The Grommet and Warner Brothers. This week's special gift is a movie from the VUDU movie rental service.
T-Mobile plans to vary prizes with new partners and each week award a major prize like a trip, private movie screening or sports event to a single customer drawn at random. Such prizes include stays in Las Vegas hotels, attendance at major league baseball all-star week in San Diego, a trip to the Peruvian ruins at Machu Picchu and a shopping spree in New York City.
Finally, T-Mobile is offering users an hour of free Wi-Fi access on Gogo-equipped domestic air flights in an expansion to the carrier's in-flight texting program. The initiative starts on June 13.
Announced by CEO John Legere in his usual over-the-top fashion, the new set of offers is part of continued efforts to boost customer churn from competing networks, while at the same time solidifying T-Mobile retention rates. As with past T-Mobile incentives, existing subscribers net the greatest rewards from today's "Un-carrier 11" promotions.
For example, the stock program, called Stock Up, provides T-Mobile postpaid customers a single share of the company's common stock. Subscribers can net an additional share -- up to 100 shares per year -- by referring a friend, while customers who have been with the network for five or more years get an additional two shares for each recommendation until 2017.
The stock program is run through T-Mobile's brokerage partner, Loyal3. Owners receive the first share free through the T-Mobile Tuesdays app and pay no maintenance fees as long as they're active customers.
Users of the T-Mobile Tuesday app can also redeem a pizza from Domino's, a Wendy's drink and a special gift each week. Prizes come from a variety of brand partners including American Giant, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cond? Nast, Fanatics, Fandango, Gilt, HotelTonight, JackThreads, Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures, Lyft, Major League Baseball, MGM Resorts International, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Shell, StubHub, The Clymb, The Grommet and Warner Brothers. This week's special gift is a movie from the VUDU movie rental service.
T-Mobile plans to vary prizes with new partners and each week award a major prize like a trip, private movie screening or sports event to a single customer drawn at random. Such prizes include stays in Las Vegas hotels, attendance at major league baseball all-star week in San Diego, a trip to the Peruvian ruins at Machu Picchu and a shopping spree in New York City.
Finally, T-Mobile is offering users an hour of free Wi-Fi access on Gogo-equipped domestic air flights in an expansion to the carrier's in-flight texting program. The initiative starts on June 13.
Comments
By David Silverberg"
Mr. Silverberg,
My understanding is that T-Mobile will be giving shares of stock to its subscribers, not stock options.
But now, despite living in T-Mobile's best coverage zone, calls break up, and sometime drop.
Looking into alternatives now. Back to AT&T I suppose.
T-Mobile, you've got the right attitude, but without decent service, you've got nothing.
Further, my coverage has improved over the last few years.
i know people have different experiences, but it is hard to believe you live in one of the better coverage areas and drop calls frequently when I hardly ever drop calls and don't live in one of the best coverage areas.
maybe it is the people you are talking to dropping calls.
That said the remainder of the time I get the best price, $138 for four smartphone lines with 10 gigs each plus Binge-on, international service, etc.
I'll take the trade-offs for now. This last Memorial Day weekend I was watching SlingTV on my phone and enjoying the Western Conference Finals all with no hit to my data cap.
I hope Tmobile will keep growing and improving. I'll suffer a few slings and arrows to have the reduced cost and the increased competition.
Besides that, you have to give some credit to T-mobile and it's CEO to keep pressure on AT&T and Verizon to keep them in track and not raise prices hurting customers on those carriers. Indirect benefits..
I'm not with TMobile currently, but it seems like they have the best deals for mobile consumers. Good for them, it seems to be working.
worst reception I had was at home, so they gave me an LTE cell hotspot. Now it's perfect (and my neighbors benefit).
Further, my coverage has improved over the last few years.
i know people have different experiences, but it is hard to believe you live in one of the better coverage areas and drop calls frequently when I hardly ever drop calls and don't live in one of the best coverage areas.
maybe it is the people you are talking to dropping calls. I have visited Michigan for work perhaps 6 weeks since getting on t-Mobile and already dropped more calls than you have. In populated areas where ATT used to work fine. I would love if it were that way for me, but not even close. Anywhere I travel. Except from Mexico actually. I wish. If that was on par w ATT, would not leave despite the con artist who served me in the store.
However, T-Mobile has horrible customer service, but I cannot say AT&T's is good either...