T-Mobile web2go to replace T-Zones and add new download marketplace

In addition to the disappointing increase in data rates for voice customers, T-Mobile also introduced their new web2go service. The web2go service is designed to make it easier to view and browse the internet from your feature phone and select smartphone. Yahoo! oneSearch is being used for the mobile search engine and the service also gives you access to the new T-Mobile store front that was talked about a few months ago. It sounds like the web2go service is a proxy service since T-Mobile states that customers can visit virtually any website from even a feature phone and be able to view and navigate the page.

I couldn't find any details on costs for this new service, but read on TmoNews that this is an upgrade to the existing T-Zones service and will be part of an unlimited data plan (if your phone supports this) or priced with caps for feature/phone-first devices.

Here are the features that are advertised for the service:

•   A customizable home page, for easy access to your favorite sites.
•   Yahoo! oneSearch™ mobile search—right on your home page—for fast, relevant answers right when you need them.
•   Account access: Check minutes and messages used, view your bill, and more, right from your phone.
•   Access to T-Mobile’s new download marketplace, where you can browse for ringtones, apps, games, and more.
•   Better browsing—turns clunky “mobile Web” pages into sleek, easy-to-use sites.

There is also a free limited access version of web2go that gives you:

•   Free access to your account—account activity, a summary bill, and more.
•   Free browsing of T-Mobile’s new download marketplace—new apps, ringtones, CallerTunes®, wallpaper, games, and more. (There is a charge to purchase content.)
•   Trial websites—each week, a different free website will be featured. Check it out!

Web2go is available today across the majority of new T-Mobile phones, including most Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and BlackBerry handsets. This enhancement is automatic for T-Mobile customers with compatible phones. T-Mobile plans to make web2go available on nearly all new T-Mobile phones over the coming months.

I logged into my account and was unable to access web2go with my G1 account. I have four other phones on T-Mobile, but I couldn't find a way to switch to those phones in my account login page (is there a separate login for each phone number) so I couldn't get any hands-on experience with web2go.