T-Mobile Un-Carrier 7.0 Nationwide Announcements in SF

On the heels of a huge announcement about a much-anticipated smartphone and its larger counterpart, T-Mobile had some new things to share as well. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until Frans and I walked into the darkened underground lounge with a room full of press and T-Mobile’s CEO (John Legere), CFO (Mike Sievert), and CMO (Neville Ray) on stage announcing Un-Carrier 7.0.

T-Mobile Un-Carrier 7.0 Nationwide Announcements

The major emphasis was on Wi-Fi and how T-Mobile is harnessing its best features and integrating it into their network to call and text over Wi-Fi. This is fantastic for those who don’t get good cell reception in their homes but have already gotten rid of or are planning to get rid of their landline.

• New Smartphones
  Every new smartphone T-Mobile sells will be Wi-Fi calling and texting capable.
• Current & Potential Customers
  Current customers can replace their phone and, for a limited time, there’s open enrollment for the JUMP! program to immediately upgrade to one of these phones with Wi-Fi calling.
• VoLTE (Voice over LTE)
  Use Wi-Fi like a tower for calling and texting. To deliver high-quality HD voice and seamless coverage switching from cellular to Wi-Fi.
• Wi-Fi Calls from Abroad
  T-Mobile customers can make free Wi-Fi calls back to the U.S. from anywhere outside the country.
• Personal CellSpot
  Use the free device and service (requires $25 refundable deposit) to give you full bars in places previously with bad reception. Plug it into your internet to turn it into a personal cell tower. Can completely replace or work with your router.
• In-Flight Connection
  Through a partnership with Gogo, T-Mobile customers can get and send unlimited texts and photo messages as well as receive visual voicemail while in-flight. Begins September 17, 2014. See compatible phones and steps to enable at www.t-mobile.com/gogophones.

I was pretty excited to hear about many of these announcements. There’s just so much potential in how these changes can impact the way we use our phones to communicate. I hope it will push other carriers to focus on how to benefit the customers and, hopefully, for a lower price point. Either way, I plan on taking advantage of T-Mobile Test Drive program to find out how reception is in our area. I would love to make use of the Wi-Fi calling and texting as well as the Personal CellSpot.

Which feature(s) are you most excited about?