X
Tech

T-Mobile G1 data stopped working? Free trial is over and new data rates are coming

I just returned from a meeting in Houston and then found I was unable to access the Android Market or surf with the browser, while Gmail and IM seemed to work fine. I went online to check my T-Mobile account details and there was no data services selected on my account. When I ordered my G1 online I signed up for the US$25 data plan and 400 messages and was getting data just fine until today. I called up T-Mobile customer service and found out that T-Mobile gave everyone who bought a G1 free data access for a while (seems to be about 10 days for me) before the system was supposed to automatically add the G1 data plan. Apparently, my switch didn't get automatically flipped over so the customer service representative made the update manually and I should have full data access again in the next few hours.
Written by Matthew Miller, Contributing Writer

I just returned from a meeting in Houston and then found I was unable to access the Android Market or surf with the browser, while Gmail and IM seemed to work fine. I went online to check my T-Mobile account details and there was no data services selected on my account. When I ordered my G1 online I signed up for the US$25 data plan and 400 messages and was getting data just fine until today. I called up T-Mobile customer service and found out that T-Mobile gave everyone who bought a G1 free data access for a while (seems to be about 10 days for me) before the system was supposed to automatically add the G1 data plan. Apparently, my switch didn't get automatically flipped over so the customer service representative made the update manually and I should have full data access again in the next few hours.

I also confirmed that my grandfathered family time US$9.99 unlimited text messaging plan remains in effect, even with the lower cost 400 text message G1 plan. However, I can no longer use my T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve for data (unless I connect via WiFi) because the BlackBerry and G1 plans are completely different so that is a bit of a bummer. I REALLY like my Curve with the long battery life and functionality and may have to consider if I should keep the G1. I also need to try out my T-Mobile SIM in my S60 devices because I still want to evaluate lots of different phones, but need a SIM that can pop into other data-enabled devices too.

In other T-Mobile data news, according to the TmoNews site data plan pricing will be getting as complicated as AT&T's options. While they are going up, it looks like the most expensive will be US$34.99 for unlimited data and unlimited text messaging that also includes WiFi HotSpot access (finally including BlackBerry devices). I understand that T-Mobile needs to increase their data plan fees to support the 3G infrastructure, but it is VERY limited right now and increasing the data plan fees this early in the process may have people switching over to AT&T with their much more expansive data network.

Editorial standards