T-Mobile on Thursday switched some things around concerning its data plans, which in some cases could mean rate increases for some consumers. In addition, it launched its T-Zones replacement, web2go, and is adding a new download marketplace for consumers.

In some cases, the rate increases are rather dramatic. Here’s a rundown:

• The $19.99 BlackBerry Internet plan jumps to $24.99 with 400 messages, $34.99 with unlimited messaging, at $39.99 without a voice plan, but no messaging (you can do this?),
• The $19.99 “Total Internet” plan also jumps to $39.99,
• Sidekick plans skyrocket: from $19.99 to $44.99 with 400 messages, and $54.99 with unlimited messaging.

These are horrific price increases. In every case, the cost of data on a T-Mobile plan is going to double in the least in some cases. The worst thing is while old customers will have their plans grandfathered, you bet the carrier’s going to likely force you to upgrade your plan when you upgrade your phone.

It used to be that T-Mobile was the leader in competitive data pricing. Now the carrier is like everybody else. I have family members on the service (I just switched to AT&T and went through ETF hell with T-Mobile, which I will talk about in a future post). The rest of my family were all staying for the cheap BlackBerry prices. That’s no longer the case.

web2go pricingis a little less clear, but Tmonews has some limited information. It is a replacement for T-Zones. A free version would be available to consumers to download and purchase content as well as view account information as before.

Two plans would be offered for phones that have connectivity as a secondary option – 50MB data and 200 messages or 100MB data and unlimited message, with a 20 cent overage fee per megabyte. All-in-one devices would have two unlimited data options, with a choice of either 400 messsages or unlimited messaging.

(Update: Hat tip to JT in the comments who does note I do have it slightly off here, I’ve corrected.)

 
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