T-Mobile’s G1 Data Plan Enforcement Lags by 48 Hours

I've been a T-Mobile customer since 2002. This is what I get with the top tier total Internet package

Your current plan is not compatible with the T-Mobile G1. Please visit T-Mobile.com on your computer, dial 611 from your phone, or visit a retail location.

Today I had my most dissapointing experience with T-Mobile. I’ve been a customer and serious fan of their service since it was still Voicestream. Today they shut off my mobile Internet access without warning. Not cool.

This week I’ve been reviewing and testing the G1. I started without a SIM or plan, slipped my own Total Internet enabled SIM in, and was off and running. The first two days were good. 3G was snappy and no interuptions in net access took place. Overall, the T-Mo side of a transition to the G1 seemed solid. No notifications. Life was good.

Then yesterday morning, at the completion of writing a blog post for 40 minutes, net access was shut off. Coincedentally I was writing a post exactly at that time and I found out when I clicked “Publish” (the point where you submit the post). The message that came up is shown above, in an image taken with my iPhone 3G.

It was exactly 48 hours after I began using the device. Pretty much to the minute. No SMSs were sent about needing an upgraded data plan. No restrictions were placed on 3G vs EDGE. No warning, just an abrupt shut-off at a really inopportune moment. Note: Dave Winer knows a thing or two about this with his Comcast shut-offs.

If you’ve got Total Internet for $19.99, it’s not enough. There isn’t any grandfathering. Make sure you’re signed up for the G1 plan. You’ve been warned.

Post written entirely on a G1 in web based WordPress.

6 thoughts on “T-Mobile’s G1 Data Plan Enforcement Lags by 48 Hours

  1. Yeah, they did the same thing to me this morning without warning. I had the $19.99 Total Internet Plan. I have also been with them since they were Voicestream.

  2. Ouch – I bet this is widely unknown and causing pain to many people. They
    need to get their product rollouts figured out. A shut-off notice is a
    disgrace and creates immediate negative reaction… Instead of doing that,
    either do not allow 3G access or send a text message on the first use of the
    service that warns of the shut-off.

    A courtesy notice would have gone a very long way. Instead, they're
    generating bitter customers.

  3. Yeah, they did the same thing to me this morning without warning. I had the $19.99 Total Internet Plan. I have also been with them since they were Voicestream.

  4. Ouch – I bet this is widely unknown and causing pain to many people. They
    need to get their product rollouts figured out. A shut-off notice is a
    disgrace and creates immediate negative reaction… Instead of doing that,
    either do not allow 3G access or send a text message on the first use of the
    service that warns of the shut-off.

    A courtesy notice would have gone a very long way. Instead, they're
    generating bitter customers.

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