T-Mobile last month stopped offering its juiciest promotions to some customer groups, sparking complaints not only from customers but also some employees. Now, the operator is resurrecting part of those promotions.
T-Mobile confirmed to Light Reading that it will resume offering parts of a promotion to customers who subscribe to the operator's plans for people aged 55 and up, those serving in the military, and first responders such as police and firefighters. The move follows complaints among T-Mobile customers and employees that those customers couldn't access the operator's best promotions.
"We're always updating the promotions we offer for new and existing customers," a T-Mobile representative wrote to Light Reading. "Our 55+/ Military/ First Responder plans already deliver savings that are unmatched in the industry – up to 40% less compared to our normal rate plans – and now we are launching an additional new device promotion for customers on top of that."
The representative said that, starting November 7, customers on T-Mobile's 55+, military and first responder plans can also get a discount of up to $1,100 on the latest Samsung and Google Pixel devices. However, iPhones are not included in the new offer.
A source familiar with T-Mobile's operations said the company's newest promotion is not a reaction to complaints from employees and customers. Rather, it is simply the operator's latest promotional gambit, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. Indeed, T-Mobile – along with the rest of the US wireless industry – routinely launches new promotions while retiring others.
Upset customers and employees
At issue is T-Mobile's decision last month to reduce the amount of the phone discount offered to customers on its 55+, military and first responder plans. As noted by The Mobile Report, the operator cut its phone discount by several hundred dollars on those plans while continuing to offer bigger discounts to other customers on its standard Go5G plans.
T-Mobile customers and employees complained, arguing that the operator should offer its best promotions to customers on those specialized plans.
"I'm extremely disappointed with T-Mobile and their decision to lower promotions for some of there [sic] GO5G specialty plans," wrote one user on T-Mobile's website.
Employees also aired grievances. "It's November I hope we can fix this now," wrote one staff member on an internal T-Mobile employee message board viewed by Light Reading. "In October I lost about 8 or 10 customers because they are just getting better deals with the competition."
Dozens of other employees posted similar messages on the board, and a user on Reddit went so far as to suggest that T-Mobile employees should stage a walkout in protest.
"Employees argue that the change has led to an unacceptable situation where many veterans and first responders are now paying more for their monthly service than customers on standard plans," wrote the Reddit user. "This, they say, is a betrayal to those who have sacrificed their lives and well-being to serve and protect the nation."
To be clear, it's relatively normal for 5G operators including T-Mobile to routinely change promotions to target one demographic or another. However, it is rare for an operator's employees to complain publicly about the changes.
You May Also Like
