T-Mobile 100GB/$50 Postpaid Mobile Internet Data Plan Ends For LTE Hotspots & Routers, 5G Option Remains

T-Mobile is at it again. The 100GB for $50/month postpaid mobile internet plan available for use in all compatible hotspots and routers has been discontinued as of today, August 6th, 2021. This plan was marketed as a "limited time" deal and it seems the limited time has run out.

This plan has been replaced by a comparable 100GB for $50/month postpaid option that can only be used with T-Mobile's 5G mobile hotspot device and some 5G tablets. For the remainder of devices, they offer a 50GB for $50/month plan.

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Plan History

T-Mobile has changed the offerings on this plan several times since they were originally introduced in December 2020.

The initial introduction of the Mobile Internet plans coincided with the debut of T-Mobile's first high-end mobile hotspot device, the Inseego M2000. As a limited-time promotion to highlight the new device, T-Mobile pushed a 100GB plan for $50/month on both prepaid and postpaid. The plan could be activated on virtually any data-only device including hotspots, tablets, and routers. 

The prepaid option retired in late March 2021 and then in May 2021 T-Mobile also retired the postpaid version, replacing it with a 50GB for $50/mo plan for LTE hotspots and cellular embedded routers. At this time T-Mobile began offering a new limited-time offer specifically for their M2000 hotspot and some 5G tablets offering the original 100GB of data for $50/month.

Then, in late June of 2021 T-Mobile surprisingly brought the postpaid version of the 100GB for $50 plan back, and again made it available to virtually any data-only device. This reemergence was again marketed as a 'limited time only' offer.

And, as of today, it seems T-Mobile has reverted back to their same offerings they made in May. 

Current Mobile Internet Plans

The options T-Mobile has reverted to include:

• 100GB for $50 for select 5G Devices - Another "limited time offer" plan that is ONLY available for a small number of approved 5G devices. The list includes the Inseego MiFi M2000 Hotspot (still available on a 50% off promo), Samsung Tab S7 or Samsung Tab S7+, and the 5G Apple iPads. No other devices are currently eligible for this plan. 5G routers are not eligible. In a comment we received back in May 2021 (the first time the 100GB/$50 any device plan was ended), a T-Mobile PR rep stated, that they were "looking to add more eligible devices soon." The plans (and devices) do include service in LTE areas where 5G is not yet available. 
• 50GB for $50 for all other devices - This is the direct replacement for the retired any device plan. It offers half the data for the same price (and matches the current prepaid plan option) and is available for all hotspots, tablets, and routers. 

They also offer lower tier data plans as well for 5-30GB of data, and prepaid options remain for the 50GB plan under their own brand and Metro by T-Mobile.  

All of their Mobile Internet plans slow to a hard throttle of 128 kbps for the remainder of the billing month after the data cap is reached, and video typically streams at 480p. 

We do not know how T-Mobile will enforce the device restrictions on the 5G plan, or if you will be able to move SIM cards to non-eligible devices once you activate the plan on an eligible 5G device.

These plans are available ala carte without needing any other lines of service with T-Mobile. However, in the fine print, they do state that 'up to a $50/month' charge may apply if you don't have other lines of service, and taxes and fees are extra if you don't have a tax-inclusive voice line on the account. To date, we have not received a single report of any additional charges being applied for a stand-alone Mobile Internet line on an account, but know the terms are there. There is also a $30 'assisted' charge to activate the plan, and a $5/month additional charge if you don't enable autopay. 

T-Mobile finally has the plan on their website in their "affordable data plans" options. (These plans also show up on their Deals Page from time to time). However, they cannot be ordered online - you'll need to contact T-Mobile directly by phone, chat, or visiting a store to get the plan.

Existing Customers Grandfathered

Existing customers who were able to get the 100GB/$50 any device plan before it retired will be grandfathered and can keep the plan as long as their account is kept active and in good standing. You will be able to switch devices used with the plan - routers, LTE hotspots, etc - simply move your SIM.

Our premium members received advanced notice that this plan was retiring as soon as we got a tip this was coming earlier this week. 

Concluding Thoughts

Here we go again.

This is disappointing news. Again. It is always a sad day when we see a carrier downgrade one of our Top Pick plan options.

It's also odd timing for T-Mobile to drop this plan when Verizon just launched their own 100GB for $60 add-on or $90 standalone, and 150GB for $80 add-on or $110 standalone plans. And AT&T continues to offer a  prepaid100GB for $55/month hotspot, router, and tablet plan too.

It's not clear what T-Mobile's calculus is for starting, changing, and ending these mobile internet options every few months other than to keep us on our toes.

Those utilizing cellular routers have lost a great legitimate option for a usable amount of data at an affordable price.

For now, the new "limited time" 100GB for $50 is only available for a handful of 5G devices, all but one of them tablets.

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