Price Wars: T-Mobile Raises Costs For One Plus Unlimited Data, Verizon And Sprint Face Off

T-Mobile will probably raise the price of its One Plus add-on from $5 a month to $10, BRG reported. This is the add-on that gives T-Mobile users access to a lot of the same features that are already included in Verizon’s unlimited plan, stuff like HD video streaming, 10GB of tethering hotspot data and free Wi-Fi on planes. On the other hand, Verizon charges almost $3 a month for anti-spam features to weed out robocalls and automated messages, even though AT&T and T-Mobile include these services for free.

All things considered, T-Mobile’s $75-a-month unlimited plan will soon cost just a little more than Verizon’s offering. A spokesperson from T-Mobile told International Business Times the price hike marks the end of a discount promotion, claiming the plan will still be cheaper than Verizon's alternative because the new price includes taxes and fees.

Read : T-Mobile Digits Cost Is Free To Add A Second Wireless Line

T-Mobile’s price boost is an interesting move in light of Verizon’s 2017 strategy, which included new unlimited data plans for $80 a month with better video quality and international roaming options than T-Mobile’s comparable offer. Sprint and AT&T both unveiled similar unlimited data plans in February. Although T-Mobile may soon have to relinquish its shtick about being the cheapest way to get top-notch quality, Time still deemed T-Mobile’s plan the best value option for comprehensive coverage.

Sprint vs. Verizon Rivalry

U.S. mobile carriers are narrowing in on Verizon across the board. Bloomberg reported Sprint, which already has one of the country’s cheapest unlimited plans starting at $40 a month, sent emails to Verizon customers offering a year of free service if the customers switch over and bring their Verizon phone to Sprint. The bargain carrier is also offering similar deals for customers that buy a new iPhone. Rivalries have been running high since Sprint hired Verizon’s former spokesman, Paul Marcarelli, to do a series of commercials with pointed jabs at Verizon.

The wireless network battle is heating up. Competitors are looking to team up against Verizon, arguably the nation’s most popular mobile carrier.

Read : T-Mobile Wants To Pay The Rest Of Your iPhone Or Pixel Lease With Verizon

According to Reuters, business negotiations about a potential merger between T-mobile and Sprint have been going on for months. But any talk of combining the two U.S. mobile carriers is currently on hold while Sprint’s parent company, SoftBank Group Corp, makes moves toward an even bigger telecommunications deal with Comcast Corp and Charter Communications Inc.

None of this necessarily has to be disastrous for Verizon. The mobile company has been busy with negotiations of its own, recently acquiring Yahoo for $4.5 billion. At the same time, Verizon is reportedly exploring new digital advertising models, relying on mobile data, and slinging discount deals for products like Google Pixel and Google Home.

However, two can play at that game. T-Mobile now lists AppleCare perks as part of the Jump upgrade program. With all these new features and deals in just a few months, it remains to be seen which wireless carrier will come out on top, with the nation's cheapest and most comprehensive data plan for 2017.