The carrier wars are already heating up for 2014. After failing to acquire T-Mobile, and being forced to dump cash into their coffers, looks like AT&T is getting a little tired of competing against their own money.
Taking a direct shot at Lil’ Magenta, AT&T announced today that T-Mo customers switching to AT&T, and trading in their old phones, would receive up to a $450 credit per line on their accounts. The credit is designed to ease the sting of paying a termination fee for those increasingly few on contract, or to offset the cost of a new phone or tablet.
This looks like an early warning shot from AT&T, as we’ve been hearing rumors of T-Mobile offering a similar “Switch to us” credit. Maybe AT&T got tired of T-Mo beating them to the punch on things like faster phone upgrades, and “zero down” phone subsidies.
It’s fun when companies get frisky. Full PR after the jump.
AT&T OFFERS T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS UP TO $450
PER LINE TO SWITCH
Customers Ring in New Year with a Superior Network Experience and a Brand New Smartphone
LOS ANGELES, JAN. 3, 2014— Starting today, AT&T* is offering T-Mobile customers the opportunity to upgrade their mobile lifestyle with value of up to $450 per line when they switch to AT&T and trade in an eligible smartphone.
In addition to a larger and more reliable 4G LTE network, T-Mobile customers who switch to AT&T will benefit from a superior smartphone line-up and award-winning customer service. With AT&T, customers can take advantage of AT&T’s new Mobile Share Value plans, which offer data and unlimited talk and text starting as low as $45 per month with no annual contract.** AT&T NextSM offers customers the chance to upgrade to a new smartphone every year for $0 down.
Beginning Jan. 3, under the limited-time offer, T-Mobile customers who switch to AT&T can trade-in their current smartphone for a promotion card of up to $250, which can be used toward AT&T products and services. Trade-in values will vary based on make, model and age of the smartphone, but many of the latest and most popular smartphones will qualify for a value of $250. T-Mobile customers can receive an additional $200 credit per line when they transfer their wireless service to AT&T and choose an AT&T NextSM plan, buy a device at full retail price or activate a device they currently own.1
Only AT&T offers the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, covering more than 270 million Americans.2 J.D. Power awarded AT&T the “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance Among Full-Service Wireless Providers” and “Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full Service Wireless Providers” in their 2013, Volume 2 studies.
T-Mobile customers can learn more by visiting www.att.com/switchfromtmo or an AT&T retail store.
* AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
**Pricing includes 300 MB data w/ 1 smartphone w/ no annual contract (or on AT&T Nextsm installment agreement). Device charges, taxes & fees not included.
1. Limited time offer. Requires qualified trade-in. Not all devices are eligible for trade-in or will receive full $250 value. Promotion Cards may only be used toward purchases of eligible AT&T products & services or to pay your wireless bill. Additional promo card terms may apply in select locations. Switcher Bill Credit requires port-in of eligible T-Mobile wireless number and qualified activation. Must activate own phone, non-commitment phone, or phone on an AT&T NextSM installment agreement w/ a qualified plan (voice & data); not available with 2 year contract option. Must maintain service & good standing status for 90 days to receive credit. Credit received within 3 bill cycles. Available at select Dealers and National Retail locations only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
2. Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.