T-Mobile, known for its “Un-carrier” approach and promises to disrupt the telecom industry, appears to be shifting its strategy when it comes to pricing for its fiber internet service. The company has quietly ended its “Price Lock” guarantee for new fiber internet customers, raising concerns about potential price increases in the near future.
Price Lock, introduced in 2022 as a replacement for the company’s “Un-Contract” pledge, initially guaranteed that customers would not face price hikes as long as they maintained their current plan. However, the program was later revised to merely a “promise” that T-Mobile would not raise prices, and if they did, they would cover the customer’s final month’s bill. This change, along with price increases on some legacy “Un-Contract” accounts, drew criticism from customers who felt misled.
Now, T-Mobile has confirmed, according to a report from The Mobile Report, that Price Lock will no longer be offered to new fiber internet customers. A document obtained by The Mobile Report reveals that the company considers Price Lock a “promotion” that ended on January 20, 2025. Existing fiber internet customers who signed up before this date will retain their Price Lock, albeit the less robust version that only promises a final month’s bill credit in the event of a price increase.
Implications of Ending Price Lock
The decision to discontinue Price Lock for new fiber customers suggests that T-Mobile may be planning to raise prices on its fiber internet service in the future. While the company has not announced any immediate price hikes, the removal of the price guarantee raises concerns about the long-term affordability of its fiber offerings.
This move is particularly noteworthy given that T-Mobile continues to offer a strong Price Lock guarantee for its 5G Home Internet plans, ensuring that prices will not increase for those customers. The discrepancy in pricing policies between fiber and 5G home internet services raises questions about T-Mobile’s overall pricing strategy.
Expanding Fiber Footprint
T-Mobile’s decision to end Price Lock for new fiber customers comes as the company expands its fiber footprint through acquisitions. In April 2024, T-Mobile entered into an agreement to acquire Lumos, a smaller fiber internet provider in the eastern US. This deal, expected to close early this year, will bring a significant number of new fiber customers under the T-Mobile umbrella.
While the immediate impact of ending Price Lock remains to be seen, it signals a potential shift in T-Mobile’s approach to pricing its fiber internet service. Customers and industry observers will be watching closely to see how this change unfolds and whether it leads to price increases in the near future.