testdrive

T-Mobile is not shy about taking risk. That boldness has paid off very well for them these last few years. They are about to over take Sprint as the #3 phone carrier service in the United States. Once the AT&T merger failed T-Mobile have been on a tear through the industry with one creative out of the box idea after another. AT&T had to pay T-Mobile $2 Billion as part of a breakup fee because of the failed merger. With that kind of financial support T-Mobile had some room to try new things without too much fear of hurting themselves. The newest idea to gain more customers is a test drive of the T-Mobile network.

T-Mobile who calls itself the Uncarrier will let customers sign up for a service called T-Mobile Test Drive. All you have to do is go to the company’s website put in your name and email address. At the moment it does not ask for a credit card but it will once the service is up. Keep in mind in order to try out T-Mobile’s network for seven days, it will cost you. T-Mobile says the Test Drive is free but it really is not. You have to read the fine print. $700 is on lock for those 7 days that you have the phone.

T-Mobile Test Drive is free with no obligation to buy, but if the iPhone 5s comes back with a cracked screen, damaged screen display, water damage, active Find My iPhone feature, or can’t be powered on we have to charge a $100 damage fee. If you don’t return the device, we have to charge $699.99 plus applicable taxes.

A hold for $699.99 + taxes will be placed on your credit or debit card. The timing of releasing that hold will vary by credit card company. We won’t charge your card unless you fail to return the device.

You have to register for the Test Drive on the T-Mobile website but the site is on hold  at the moment until the service kicks off on June 23rd. Once a user is done with the phone, they can just drop the device at any T-Mobile store. I wonder will it be a first come first serve type of deal? Also will T-mobile have a high conversion rate?

“The way this industry forces Americans to buy wireless is completely, utterly broken. I’m here to tell you there’s a better way. While the carriers ask you to buy blind, the Un-carrier gives you transparency. Our network kicks ass, and now people can experience for themselves what a data-strong network can do with T-Mobile Test Drive.” ~T-Mobile CEO John Legere

T-Mobile expects at least one million people to try out the service in the first year of the program. If just half the people remain on  T-Mobile or break their phones during the 7 day trial that will be a big infusion of cash for the company.  If giving people a test run on thier network was not enough. T-Mobile also is practically giving away data as well. T-Mobile is offering customers free music streaming via its “Music Freedom” service. It’s more of a Netflix for music than a one service. “Music Freedom” gives you the option of using streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, iTunes Radio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Milk Music and iHeart Radio. I noticed that Beats Music is missing from the lot. Although T-Mobile said that additional services may be added in the future, I doubt that Apple’s Beats Music would be one of them because Beats Music already has a deal with AT&T.

The full press releases below.

T-Mobile Test Drive: 

T-Mobile Sets Your Music Free 

By Rubens Saintel

Proud father, #Haitian, photographer, consultant, writer & entrepreneur. I love video games, movies, plays, technology (surprise), beta testing apps and all things sci-fi. SaintelDaily.com |AppleWatch101.com | NBA101.com