T-Mobile's Un-Carrier 8.0 event saw the introduction of the Data Stash feature that allows users to keep extra 4G LTE data over succeeding months.
The Data Stash feature, T-Mobile says, is aimed to counteract the business moves of other carriers into making its users to purchase extra data to be able to avoid overage charges. However, to add to the stress of extra expenses for buying additional data, unused data that users have already paid for are snatched back by other carriers.
According to T-Mobile, it is the only national carrier in the United States that will allow users to roll over paid for but unused 4G LTE data to the next month, whereas other carriers will take away all the unused data at the end of every month. T-Mobile added that the service will require no additional charges.
"Americans have been gamed by the carriers into buying huge data plans - all to avoid getting screwed with overage penalties. Only to find out they bought more than they need, which is then confiscated by the carrier. For the consumer it's lose, lose." T-Mobile CEO John Legere said on the data problems that consumers face with other carriers.
"If you buy data, it's yours," Legere also said.
The feature is automatically included for T-Mobile subscribers on the Simple Choice Plan that have a minimum of 3GB 4G LTE data subscription for smartphones and a minimum of 1GB 4G LTE data subscription for tablets, beginning in January. At the end of each month, all of the unused 4G LTE data of users will be rolled into their stash, which will be valid to use for a year.
Eligible subscribers will also be receiving a one-time 10GB worth of 4G LTE data in their stash for free. The free stash will be included in the January bill cycle of the eligible users, and will also be given to new subscribers after Jan. 1. The free data will expire by the end of next year.
T-Mobile added that there is no limit to the size of a user's stash. In addition, to prevent stashed data from expiring, users that tap into their stashes will first consume the earliest stashes.
The Data Stash feature is the latest among several aggressive promotions that T-Mobile has recently been rolling out in order to put up a fight against its bigger rivals in the wireless communications industry.
Such promotions translate to bigger costs for the company. However, when Legere was asked whether T-Mobile's investors should be concerned about the profitability of the carrier, Legere responded by saying that T-Mobile is the fastest-growing wireless carrier in the country.
