T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS) announced on Thursday that it would enable users to send text messages, make calls and use the mobile internet in Canada and Mexico without paying roaming charges. Customers can also call their friends and relatives in both the countries from the United States without incurring any fees.
The fourth-largest wireless carrier in the US will start the program on July 15, as a part of its campaign to take an edge over its competitors by offering customers promotions, coverage plans and network upgrades. In June, the company launched a plan that enabled users to upgrade their phones three times in 12 months, as compared to its previous program of just one time upgrade per year.
T-Mobile also said that it added about 2.1 million net new users during the second quarter. The company’s latest program, named ‘Mobile Without Borders,’ is an improvement of its earlier promotion of free limitless text messages and international data. Customers were able to use data with the help of that plan, though it was restricted to a slower 2G connection.
Customers will now enjoy the fastest possible connection with the new offer in both the countries. The company has joined hands with six carriers in Canada and two carries in Mexico for complete roaming coverage.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is also looking forward to offer a similar plan to its customers in Mexico. The second biggest wireless carrier in the US purchased Mexican carrier Iusacell in a deal valued at $2.5 billion, and acquired Nextel Mexico for $1.875 billion. AT&T’s customers enjoy unlimited calling to Mexico for $5 a month, as a part of the company’s Word Connect Value plan.
Majority of international calling minutes offered by T-Mobile go to Mexico and Canada, so the free calls to both the countries represents a boon to users, according to a spokesman. Existing users can add the new feature by checking a box in their plan. Those who are subscribed to an older unlimited plan will have to shift to a new plan to get the new deal. In case, they don’t want to shift, they still can add the new feature for $10 a month.
