They do? The vast majority of T-mobile's ads that I've seen are focused on how other data plans from other carriers are "limited", and are not really unlimited, and how T-mobile is the only carrier that offers a real unlimited plan. Quite hypocritical at the moment.
The article tries to weasel around it too,
> T-Mobile only says it offers unlimited data for standard phone or tablet use. It clearly spells out the limitations
"clearly", being,
> Unlimited talk, text, and data while on our network in the U.S., plus in Mexico and Canada. Up to 1GB of 4G LTE data (Speeds reduced after 1GB)
> Up to 1GB of 4G LTE data per month. 4G LTE data is available while in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. After all your 4G LTE data is used, data speeds are reduced to 2G speeds through the end of your bill cycle. Add more 4G LTE data whenever you want.
Clearly, "clearly" here means you must delve into the 10 pixel legal disclaimer:
> Full speeds available up to monthly allotment, including tethering (Unlimited on-smartphone 4G LTE data option includes 7 GB of tethering); then, slowed to up to 2G speeds for rest of billing cycle.
The article goes on,
> of the "Smartphone Mobile Hotspot" feature, which is included for free in the data plan.
"included for free": it's a software capability of your device; T-mobile is providing nothing.
I've been cut off for "too much tether" well before the 7GB mark (it was either 512MiB or 2GiB; I've forgotten now…). Frankly, I'm wondering if this isn't one of those living ToS that's been changed a few times. Makes me wonder if I have a hardcopy of the agreement I actually agreed to.
edit:
> Makes me wonder if I have a hardcopy of the agreement I actually agreed to.
T-Mobile still has the industry standard "right to make changes" verbiage in all of their service agreements, you get notified via bill inserts of any changes their make to the T&C's and have 30 days to cancel service without penalty if any materially adverse changes have been made.
> Your Service is subject to our business policies, practices, and procedures, which we can change without notice.
but go on,
> WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH AT LEAST 30 DAYS' NOTICE OF ANY CHANGE WARRANTING CANCELLATION OF THE AFFECTED LINE OF SERVICE AND YOU MUST NOTIFY US OF YOUR INTENT TO CANCEL SERVICE WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE NOTICE, OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE NOTICE.
It is not clear to me how the statements "We can change without notice" and "We will provide you with […] notice" are not contradictory.
> This is all spelled out quite clearly on their website when choosing a plan
I only see that screen if I explicitly click on "Comparison chart"; if I simply select the plan, I never see that; nonetheless, I concede that it is there, if hidden.
Since finding a hardcopy of my agreed terms is utterly hopeless, I looked it up via the Wayback Machine: At the time that I signed up with the plan[1], it was "Unlimited" with no qualifications, and none appeared even in the fine print, AFAICT (correct me again, if I'm wrong). I'll concede that the terms allow changes at any time, and while it may be within their right to do so, I still find it morally objectionable; AFAICT, such terms exist in nearly every contract a person agrees to these days, from renting to cell phones to ISPs; what choice have I?
[1]: https://web.archive.org/web/20111231100541/http://prepaid-ph...
Any materially adverse changes must be disclosed to you, per the policy listed in the T&C's.
They probably just can't justify the cost. The licensing and additional tools and support may cost hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, for a small section of their customer base, and they have millions of users. So the loss of a marginal amount of extra data use probably is not greater than the cost of looking for and terminating tetherers. (Plus competitive advantage, etc)