T-Mobile has partnered with Apple to offer the iPhone 5S to US consumers to try out its network before switching carriers.
T-Mobile, the fourth largest carrier in the US known for its disruptive moves, is making yet another vigorous attempt to steal new customers from its rival carriers. T-Mobile has launched a program that allows customers to test the network with unlimited calls, texts and data on a brand new Apple iPhone 5S before switching from current networks. The flamboyant CEO John Legere announced the new plan during an event Wednesday afternoon at the Paramount Theater in Seattle.
The "T-Mobile Test Drive" is a part of carrier's Un-carrier strategy, which aims at changing the way wireless industry has operated for years. Ditching contracts, offering cheaper plans among other offers has not only forced other carriers to adopt the new changes but has also won several million customers. It now serves nearly 47 million subscribers across the nation, with 1.6 million customers added in the fourth quarter last year.
With the new test drive plan, T-Mobile wants customers to try the company's network without buying the handset or signing up for a contract. The carrier has partnered with tech giant Apple to loan an iPhone 5S to go wild with its high-speed data offering, calls and texts. At the end of a seven day trial, if the customers are not happy, they can simply return the handset in any T-Mobile store.
As simple as it sounds, there are caveats, which are still reasonable. After all, the carrier needs some sort of insurance before lending Apple's current flagship handset and a week of free services. To take up the free trial, customers must be above 18 years of age and within the T-Mo's coverage in the US. Customers need to provide identity proof and credit card information. Although, the carrier promises not to charge anything, a working credit card will be used as an insurance to cover the cost of the device in case it is not returned. Also, if the handset is damaged or activated with Find My Phone, T-Mobile will rightfully charge you a $100 fee. (One must be a truly harsh user to damage a new phone in just seven days, but accidents do happen, hence the precaution.)
"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," the carrier noted on its official website.
The new offer is limited and runs till August 18, 2014.
