T-Mobile has started notifying some customers that it is retiring older phone plans and automatically moving affected accounts to plans from its current lineup.

The changes could mean higher monthly bills for thousands of customers. T-Mobile hasn't released a full list of affected plans, but some customers being moved may have been on the same plan for 10 to 15 years.

By retiring older plans and moving customers over to current plans, T-Mobile is able to offer customers expanded features, like premium speeds and increased hotspot data. Retiring old plans also allows mobile carriers to streamline their billing systems and move customers onto 5G networks. Here's what subscribers need to know.

How to find out whether your account is affected

Affected plans could include Simple Choice, T-Mobile One, One Plus and plans in the Magenta family, as well as grandfathered Sprint plans that carried over after T-Mobile and Sprint merged in 2020.

T-Mobile is notifying affected customers by text and email. You can also check the T-Life app or log in to your online account for details about any changes to your plan. Pay attention to notices included with your monthly bill, too, since they may contain important information about upcoming plan or price changes.

Will your monthly bill actually increase?

Affected customers will be moved to a "like-for-like" plan with features similar to those they have now. However, that doesn't necessarily mean the price or benefits will stay the same.

The Experience More with Appreciation Savings plan offers many of the same features as the standard Experience More plan at a discounted price for eligible customers. Because the plan isn't broadly advertised, customers may need to log in to their T-Mobile account to see whether it's available and compare its price and benefits with other plan options.

For example, a customer moving from a One Plan TE plan to Experience More with Appreciation Savings could gain unlimited high-speed 5G and 4G LTE data, 60GB of mobile hotspot data, Netflix Standard with ads and video streaming at up to 4K UHD. However, some perks may change or come with an additional cost. Apple TV Plus, for example, may cost $3 per month instead of being included through a promotional offer.

Before deciding whether the new plan is worth the cost, compare the monthly price and included benefits with what you have now. Consider which new features you'll actually use, as well as whether you're losing any perks that could add to your monthly expenses.

Before switching, compare what you're getting

If you don’t think that the price increase is worth it, then you might consider switching mobile carriers. Before you make that switch, carefully compare what you’d be getting in a new plan versus what your old plan offered.

• Data allowances: Consider how much data your old plan offered, as well as how much data you tend to use. Paying for more data than you need can quickly drive up the cost of your plan.
• Hotspot access: The option to use your phone as a mobile hotspot can be a valuable perk when you’re traveling or working. Be sure to check the data limitations on a plan’s mobile hotspot usage to verify it will work for your needs.
• International features: Consider whether you need international features, like free international calling and texting, especially if you travel often.
• Streaming perks: Many phone plans now include perks like free subscriptions to certain streaming services. If you subscribe to those services already, this perk might help you save money.
• Device promotions: If you need a new phone, carefully consider the device promotions available with the new plan. A free or highly discounted phone may make a plan more valuable to you.
• Taxes and fees: Check into taxes and fees, which aren’t typically included in the plan. Try adding the plan to your cart and going to the checkout page to see the taxes and fees.
• Multi-line discounts: Plans offering multi-line discounts may help you save extra money. Family plans often let your family share in the perks, like streaming services, so they may offer extra value.

As you shop for a new phone plan, make sure the plan includes at least the features of your old plan, but don’t get caught up in all of the extra benefits, either. A new plan might seem like a great deal at first glance, but it might not actually be worth the cost if you won’t use most of the perks that you’re paying for.

When switching carriers could save you money

If you face a T-Mobile price increase, switching to another carrier may make sense in certain circumstances. Seniors and light data users who need a basic phone service without a big data plan might find a better deal through a smaller provider or prepaid phone provider.

Single-line customers also might find better prices by shopping around or choosing a prepaid option, especially if you’re not concerned about upgrading your phone.

Families may also be able to get a deal on a new family plan with a different carrier. That’s particularly true if you’re ready to upgrade all of your phones, since many carriers offer compelling discounts on new phones to attract new customers.

When shopping for a new plan, be sure to compare the total monthly cost, not just the promotional pricing, to get an accurate idea of how the plans stack up.

What to do next

If your T-Mobile plan is affected, there's no need to switch carriers right away. Start by reviewing the details of your new plan, including the monthly price, taxes and fees, and any changes to your current benefits.

Log in to your T-Mobile account and use the plan comparison tool to compare your current and new options side by side, so you can see how the prices, features and perks stack up. Then, compare the total cost and benefits with plans from other carriers to determine whether staying with T-Mobile or switching offers the best value for your needs.

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