T-Mobile Home Internet Gateway - Replacement Isssues

[Scubawise]

They are 3 different products offered by T Mobile for different applications.

1. Phone Hotspots
2. Mobile Hotspots
3. T Mobile Home Internet

You have to decide which application you need. There is no comparison of one better than other, and pricing can vary based on other services or packages you have with T Mobile. i.e. If you have a Magenta package; T Mobile will open doors for you, if you have more than 4 phones they may do more.

We have Phone Hotspots on 5 phones; but not enough data to rely on. I don't like or want dropped speeds.

I didn't like the Mobile Hotspots because they had limits & require you to buy a device.

I got the Home Internet because I did not believe it was free, truly unlimited, and that you could take with you portable on occasions. I was paying $50/mo; but they dropped us to $35/mo as part of a unlimited promo (5 phones).

With that said, I expect one day mobile T Mobile Home Internet may be shut down? But until then, it is the greatest thing for the way we use. I think the Jetstream with battery is nice convenience, but for me I don't need battery access to internet, because we have Mobile Phones to do that. If I wish to stream TV or pull out my laptop, I am likely going to have power anyway. Having Internet in the RV 24/7 is all I need, and it runs off the Inverter if not on shorepower.

I will add that I can also use my T Mobile Home Internet at Home like it is intended. It runs our entire house (all TVs, computers phones, etc.) just like Spectrum fiber.

All good points.
BUT
" If I wish to stream TV or pull out my laptop, I am likely going to have power anyway"
In the case above we switched to part time travel to our resorts around the world, airports etc. So we need a secure hotspot.

 

[dkoldman]

All good points.
BUT
" If I wish to stream TV or pull out my laptop, I am likely going to have power anyway"
In the case above we switched to part time travel to our resorts around the world, airports etc. So we need a secure hotspot.

I believe if we travel and want the data, we can add the T Mobile International Data plan, the rates varies based on how many days you will be out. Last time I used T mobile added it before the trip (Puerto Rico) and they gave us a customer credit at same time so it was all free.

At Airports we use our phone's 5G or phones Hotspot, but most airports have free wifi. If I need it secure, I login into my VPN. Lord knows what would happen if I post on this forum and some hacker were to read my comments and it become public information

Just so you know, by the letter of T Mobile's intent, what you have is what I should have. I don't because for right now, I am benefitting from T Mobile's growing pain. When they mature Home Internet service, they may lock it down to certain IP addresses. But until they do; it is $35/mo with no end date for me, month to month, no equipment to buy, no contract, and I can cancel anytime.

 

[Scubawise]

Maybe this will benefit us campers

Biden announces how $40 billion for high-speed internet

 

[dkoldman]

I have a correction. My T Mobile Black Box is $25/mo; not $35/mo.

What is interesting is that I was actually trying to get the $25/mo promo, but was told it was too late; so $50 was only option. So trying to work with me, they discounted to $35/mo at least that is what I was told, but I had a chance to see my actual bills today because I was changing the auto pay to be direct from my bank, and I see since Jan 2023; I am only paying $25/mo. So $300/year, T Mobile Home Internet is Gold in my Book

FWIW, I asked if the new Gateways coming had batteries and they said no. However they flagged my account for a new Gateway when they become available :coolsmiley: If I just had to have internet with no power, I could always use my Inverter or Portable Ryobi Power Pack with 6AH.

 

[Scubawise]

I have a correction. My T Mobile Black Box is $25/mo; not $35/mo.

What is interesting is that I was actually trying to get the $25/mo promo, but was told it was too late; so $50 was only option. So trying to work with me, they discounted to $35/om at least that is what I was told, but I had a chance to see my actual bills today because I was changing the auto pay to be direct from my bank, and I see since Jan 2023; I am only paying $25/mo. So $300/year, T Mobile Home Internet is Gold in Book

FWIW, I asked if the new Gateways coming had batteries and they said no. However they flag my account for new Gateway when they become available :coolsmiley: If I just had to have internet with no power, I could always use my Inverter or Portable Ryobi Power Pack with 6AH.

You did great! T mobile home or jextream I feel comfortable traveling all over !

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

I have a correction. My T Mobile Black Box is $25/mo; not $35/mo.

What is interesting is that I was actually trying to get the $25/mo promo, but was told it was too late; so $50 was only option. So trying to work with me, they discounted to $35/mo at least that is what I was told, but I had a chance to see my actual bills today because I was changing the auto pay to be direct from my bank, and I see since Jan 2023; I am only paying $25/mo. So $300/year, T Mobile Home Internet is Gold in my Book

FWIW, I asked if the new Gateways coming had batteries and they said no. However they flagged my account for a new Gateway when they become available :coolsmiley: If I just had to have internet with no power, I could always use my Inverter or Portable Ryobi Power Pack with 6AH.

Good job sir!

The only thing you mention above that I refuse to do is allow T-Mobile or any utility service provider to auto draft via ACH from our bank accounts. I.much prefer to take advantage of the superior fraud and/or dispute protections offered by credit cards. That being said I do take full advantage of the auto pay discounts, using a credit card, offered by T-Mobile at this time.

 

[Judge64]

Good job sir!

The only thing you mention above that I refuse to do is allow T-Mobile or any utility service provider to auto draft via ACH from our bank accounts. I.much prefer to take advantage of the superior fraud and/or dispute protections offered by credit cards. That being said I do take full advantage of the auto draft discounts offered by T-Mobile at this time.

I use my credit card for the Autopay option with my TMobile Home Internet account. It’s non-issue.

 

[Scubawise]

Same here..always use credit cards

 

[dkoldman]

Good job sir!

The only thing you mention above that I refuse to do is allow T-Mobile or any utility service provider to auto draft via ACH from our bank accounts. I.much prefer to take advantage of the superior fraud and/or dispute protections offered by credit cards. That being said I do take full advantage of the auto pay discounts, using a credit card, offered by T-Mobile at this time.

I agree with you, but T-Mobile is changing policy, they have delayed once, but soon ( next month) you will NOT get the Auto Pay Discount unless you switch to a Debit card or ACH. That is how or why I was talking to them in the 1st place to get my facts straight. With that said, I have been with T Mobile 9 years, NEVER had a payment / charge dispute. T Mobile Customer service is the absolute best. I have been with them 9 years because I ran from AT&T after fight with them over unexpected charges seemingly every other month. That was 10 years ago; so AT&T may be better now and even better than T-Mobile, but like Solar panels & Lithium house batteries in my current RV; you are talking to a guy that will NEVER find out. AT&T is reserved as my last resort. I call it the GoodLife II

 

[Judge64]

I agree with you, but T-Mobile is changing policy, they have delayed once, but soon ( next month) you will NOT get the Auto Pay Discount unless you switch to a Debit card or ACH. That is how or why I was talking to them in the 1st place to get my facts straight. With that said, I have been with T Mobile 9 years, NEVER had a payment / charge dispute. T Mobile Customer service is the absolute best. I have been with them 9 years because I ran from AT&T after fight with them over unexpected charges seemingly every other month. That was 10 years ago; so AT&T may be better now and even better than T-Mobile, but like Solar panels & Lithium house batteries in my current RV; you are talking to a guy that will NEVER find out. AT&T is reserved as my last resort. I call it the GoodLife II

I guess I’m grandfathered in with the credit card. I got mine about 13 months ago and got it for $50/mo with a credit card auto pay.

 

[dkoldman]

I use my credit card for the Autopay option with my TMobile Home Internet account. It’s non-issue.

You may be Judge, but that is only judicial. Legislative wise there is new policy or new law coming to T-Mobile. Credit cards will no longer be accepted as Auto Pay option for T Mobile. At the end of next month (July) let me know if it still non issue. Now granted it is only $5 if you do not have Auto Pay turned on, but for me that is like getting 2 1/2 months of Home Internet free every year. I signed up for ACH.

FWIW, I don't have a Debit card nor any of the cash apps. Anybody need money from me like presto is SOL. I don't owe anybody anything, I put it all on cards and pay in full each month. I get amused when people want to do something and the expect me to cash app them Johnny on the spot. If I had to send you $75 you would get it in a check form via my Bill Pay. If one doesn't have a way to cash my check or scared that my check will bounce; that is the receiver's problem, not mine.

 

[dkoldman]

I guess I’m grandfathered in with the credit card. I got mine about 13 months ago and got it for $50/mo with a credit card auto pay.

Our posts overlapped. I have been on credit card Auto Pay for 9 years until yesterday. Maybe the grandfather some, but I don't think so? That is why I called them to find out. I admit after learning I was only paying $25/mo for my Home Internet I was in a very good mood. So I switched to ACH during the same card, maybe I did it a month to soon, but I am assured to not see a $5 charge to argue about later.

 

[dkoldman]

Same here..always use credit cards

Me thinks that is going to change or you will be adding to $60 more per year to that $199 equipment fee. If you don't switch to ACH with the money T Mobile getting from you on the lack of AutoPay Fees and the Jetstream, no wonder they can afford to let me have Home Internet for $25/mo.

 

[Judge64]

Our posts overlapped. I have been on credit card Auto Pay for 9 years until yesterday. Maybe the grandfather some, but I don't think so? That is why I called them to find out. I admit after learning I was only paying $25/mo for my Home Internet I was in a very good mood. So I switched to ACH during the same card, maybe I did it a month to soon, but I am assured to not see a $5 charge to argue about later.

I just logged onto my account and there ate no messages or warnings about the need for me to change to direct debit instead of a credit card to keep my discount.

I just made a payment yesterday so I will keep an eye in my next bill.

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

They were going to supposedly start requiring auto pay by ACH withdrawal in May. Didn’t happen. In my case the monthly discount totals $25 for using auto pay, and if they try in the future to require that I authorize ACH withdrawals to continue that discount I will simply tell them to accept my current auto pay arrangements or lose all of my business. T-Mobile had a fairly significant data breach in 2021, and I don’t want my bank account information kept on file with them in the future for auto pay purposes.

 

[dkoldman]

One more time. Yes they were suppose to make change earlier this month (late May or whatever), but they didn't; so I called to see what the $#@% was going on, and they said it was delayed to next month. So I changed to ACH yesterday. If they NEVER force the rule change; I can always switch back. If you have doubts you many do what I did which was to call 611 and see myself.

I am set up for ACH for T Mobile now, if you wish to say I went a month to soon, I would agree; but my focus yesterday was to not fight City Hall ( T-Mobile) especially when City Hall is providing me with all I need and more. Let's revisit this topic on 8/1 and let's see who is In with ACH / debit, or Out still paying with Credit Card with an extra $5 to their bill, or cancelled service altogether.

 

[dkoldman]

They were going to supposedly start requiring auto pay by ACH withdrawal in May. Didn’t happen. In my case the monthly discount totals $25 for using auto pay, and if they try in the future to require that I authorize ACH withdrawals to continue that discount I will simply tell them to accept my current auto pay arrangements or lose all of my business. T-Mobile had a fairly significant data breach in 2021, and I don’t want my bank account information kept on file with them in the future for auto pay purposes.

Your other option will be Debit card. I have 5 lines and one Home Internet, but my discount is only $5, but it is $5 that I want in my pocket. My wife could tell me that I now have to start cooking every Friday night or pay to take her out to dinner. I ain't gonna fight it, I will just go to kitchen take out a pot, fill it water, and boil a few hot dogs. It can't be that hard

If you do leave over the ACH thingy, please let us know where you go. I hear Starlink has great just about anywhere service and they may not require ACH payment. Yeah you may pay 5 times more for a full year service, but your point will have been made.

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

Had Sprint for probably 15 years, followed by AT&T for around 10 years, and now T-Mobile for 2 years or so. T-Mobile is just one more in the line of service providers, albeit they have been a good one. Bear in mind that I didn’t post any opposition to ACH payments in and of themselves, rather it’s auto pay by ACH, with that information being stored by the recipient, that I will not authorize for any company or utility provider.

 

[dkoldman]

Had Sprint for probably 15 years, followed by AT&T for around 10 years, and now T-Mobile for 2 years or so. T-Mobile is just one more in the line of service providers, albeit they have been a good one. Bear in mind that I didn’t post any opposition to ACH payments in and of themselves, rather it’s auto pay by ACH, with that information being stored by the recipient, that I will not authorize for any company or utility provider.

You can do Debit card for AutoPay discount. My kids have Debit cards, but I don't. I view a debit card as more risk than ACH. Yes it does matter who you ACH with, but debit cards are normally used everywhere, or with anyone. I have 9 years of billing from T Mobile, their flawless history, no surprise billing, no price increases unless you are changing products says all I need to know and ACH don't concern me for T Mobile. Besides my checking account is insured for up to $250,000. Make no mistake, when I first heard, I too had trouble believing, so I called. But T Mobile is like my wife, if she needs something; I known her long enough to know it is real need. I like T Mobile's low cost; so I ain't mad at them

 

[TheGoodLife-THOR]

I don’t use debit cards for anything other than ATM withdrawals, and that’s only on very rare occasions. I really prefer credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases anyway for the cash back credits. T-Mobile, Atmos, GP Water Dept, and my current REP are all getting me cash back…win-win!