‘Locking in their lies,’ blast T-Mobile customers over ‘price lock’ increase for the first time in nearly a decade

T-Mobile customers are slamming their phone company for raising prices for the first time in years.

The cellular company began a price hike this month.

Starting June 5, customers began seeing $5 increases per line on their monthly payments.

"For the first time in nearly a decade, we’re making price changes on some of our rate plans,” the company said.

"You’ll keep all the benefits you currently enjoy, including access to America’s largest and fastest 5G network, and no further action is needed from you."

The price hike is impacting millions, as T-Mobile is among the largest cellular carriers in the US.

Some newer plans will not be impacted, CNET reported.

Customers have not been thrilled with the change.

LOCK DOWN?

For years, T-Mobile has offered “price locks” on certain contracts, which are meant to guarantee that prices do not go up.

Some have said their contracts were advertised as having price locks.

One plan in particular, called the “un-contract,” was launched years ago with what appeared to many as a price lock.

“The Un-contract is our promise to individuals, families and businesses of all sizes, that − while your price may go down − it won’t go up,” then-CEO John Legere said in 2015.

However, the same announcement said that the price lock on those accounts would be for a “minimum” of two years.

The company kept an exit strategy open in some plans, however.

T-Mobile offers to pay the last bill of customers who wishes to switch providers because of a price increase, if given 60 days notice. This implies that despite the language of press releases, the company has maintained a right to hike prices.

While it’s unclear if many un-contract customers have seen changes to the terms of their plans, many are up in arms.

Several Redditors have claimed their terms did not appear to have a clause allowing prices to change.

These could not be independently verified by The U.S. Sun.

“That's not a Price Lock. What exactly is being Locked In?” one asked.

“Locking in their lies,” another disgruntled plan-holder claimed.

Several said they filed complaints with federal regulators like the FCC.

The U.S. Sun reached out to T-Mobile for comment.

T-NO-BLE

Wireless plans are a common source of frustration for consumers.

Some have called out T-Mobile for raising prices despite making billions last year.

The company reported making $8.3 billion in profits in 2023, and the company has recently bought US Cellular.

T-Mobile is offering a cash incentive to switch to the company.

Verizon has revealed plans for a surcharge increase.

Cellular Sales

Here's what Joy Dumandan, Consumer Editor with The U.S. Sun, has to say...

T-Mobile is making moves again in the cellular space.

On May 1, 2024, the company announced, "The deal is done!" in reference to its acquisition of Ka'ena Corporation.

The $1.35 billion deal included Mint Mobile.

Mint is a company backed by actor Ryan Reynolds.

Reynolds said he'll continue his creative role on behalf of Mint.

In April 2020, T-Mobile merged with Sprint. At the time, the deal said it would "deliver a transformative 5G network."

This time around, T-Mobile's acquisition of US Cellular touts it as the "country's largest and fastest 5G network."

There's a twist.

Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported on T-Mobile and Verizon both in talks to buy parts of US Cellular.

Now that T-Mobile swooped in, any hope for Verizon to purchase a part appears to be dashed.

T-Mobile's acquisition of US Cellular must get regulatory approvals, but the companies expect to close in 2025.