t-mobile's family plan/ contract question

[sd]

I have t-mobile's $69.99 family plan, and lately I noticed I don't really use the 800 minutes. And I noticed there is now a new $49.99 family basic plan. My contract is almost up with t-mobile, and although I wouldn't cosider switching carriers, I don't want to change service plans and have my contract extended. When i first signed up for tmobile, i was told contract extensions were only done in certain occasions, which I can't remember what they were, but now I wonder if the same rules apply. IF i change to the 49.99 plan will my contract be extended? Also, IF i were to change to 49.99 plan and then decide to change back to 69.99 would it get extended then? Basically, I don't think contract extensions are fair, thats why I chose tmobile when I first signed up, but IF they have changed their wasy, I would consider switching carriers. Thanks

[MOTOhooligan]

T-Mobile used to be Voicestream... a long time ago Voicestream was the GSM subdivision of Western Wireless Corp. which is who I work for. Based on that small connection and the thought that they still probably do business in a manner quite similar to how WWC does business, I will give you this advice: With WWC, contract renewals are required when customers want promotions (unlimited night and weekend minutes, mobile to mobile minutes, cheap/free phones, etc.) if you don't need a new phone you probably would not need to sign a contract to downgrade your PP to the $49.99 plan. You probably don't even need to wait until your contract is up to change the PP, just wait until your billing cycle (the day each month that you are charged for calls on a new bill.) Unlimited night and weekend minutes may seem like a great thing, but really most people don't use all that many night and weekend minutes anyway, so go over your last three or four month's bills and chart your usage for peak (daytime,) off-peak (night time) and weekend minutes. Get an average and be sure to note your highest usage for each period. Changes are you can find a PP which will cover your peak usage and you won't have to sign a contract to get it. Hope this helps.

Oh yeah, don't let pushy sales reps talk you into promotions, phones or features you don't need.

[Matt]

In general, you are not required to extend your contract when you change plans with T-Mobile. Only plans that are considered promotional will require a contract extension. I doubt the new family plan is promotional. A prmotional plan would be one like the 39.99/1000min/unlimited nights/weekends that is available only in LA, Chicago and Cincinnati. That may be the only one right now. Call customer care to confirm.