T-Mobile will be adding free Wi-Fi calling features for certain customers, depending on their plans and devices, in a move to help reverse a drop in subscribers and prepare for a possible AT&T merger.
Along with free Wi-Fi calling, T-Mobile plans to introduce a host of other new features and phones, including the Sidekick 4G Matte, which runs on Android, and "Name ID" and voicemail-to-text. The Sidekick Matte is a high-performance smartphone running on T-Mobile's 4G network, but only has a price-tag of $100, much less than other high-end devices like the iPhone.
Name ID is an enhanced version of caller ID that shows the caller's name, number, city and state. The new voicemail feature allows users to receive voicemails in text form. These new features are set to roll out starting May 22.
The new phones and features are an attempt to lure customers in as T-Mobile struggles with a shrinking customer base. The company reported a 100,000 subscriber loss in the first quarter, amid a $200 million profit drop, even as its 4G service expands to cover over 200 million people in the U.S.
The Bellevue, Wash.-based carrier already has some of the lowest rates on the market compared to AT&T and Verizon wireless, the two big U.S. providers, including an unlimited talk, text and data service for $80 a month. AT&T said it would honor T-Mobile contracts and pricing structure, but that could change after the merger is finalized.
A possible $39 billion merger between AT&T and T-Mobile could be hurting T-Mobile's bottom line as well. T-Mobile said it will continue to compete with AT&T until a decision is reached.
T-Mobile will begin notifying customers with Wi-Fi enabled devices of the service via text message beginning May 11.
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