T-Mobile To Cover All Fees For Switchers, Promises Not To Raise Rates With ‘Un-contract’

T-Mobile wants AT&T’s customers – and it’s willing to spend as much as $650 per line to bring them over. The feisty wireless “Un-carrier” announced this week that it will cover the outstanding payments of AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon customers who are willing to make the switch to T-Mobile. It’s calling the move “Carrier Freedom.”

“The carriers will do everything they possibly can to lure you in – then screw you out of every possible penny while you’re locked in,” said T-Mobile CEO John Legere in a statement. “Now, the millions who feel stuck with AT&T Next and Verizon Edge can jump to T-Mobile at no risk. Carrier Freedom is the next phase in bringing more choice and flexibility to this broken industry.”

The deal applies to smartphones and tablets. To make the switch, you’ll trade in your device and buy a new one under T-Mobile’s Simple Choice plan. T-Mobile issues a prepaid card that has a balance equal to outstanding phone payments for up to $650 per line. Businesses that switch over more than 10 lines will get credits of up to $100 per line after crossing the 10-line mark. 

T-Mobile and its gregarious CEO are known for taking aim at larger carriers, both with public comments and deals that seek to woo customers, but the Carrier Freedom plan sounds ambitious, even for T-Mobile. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact it has. If the plan succeeds, we’re sure Legere will be quick to let the world know.