Feeling fed up with your current carrier? T-Mobile is offering up to $3,200 for you to make the switch.

      **T-Mobile / YouTube**

      If you're dissatisfied with your current carrier, T-Mobile is offering to pay up to $800 per line for you to switch. The Carrier Freedom program allows you to retain your current phone number while settling any outstanding financing with your existing carrier. If this sounds familiar, it's because T-Mobile's initiative resembles one provided by AT&T.

      You can also bring your whole family. T-Mobile's program now covers four lines (increased from two), allowing you to potentially receive up to $3,200 in total. This amount typically suffices to cover early termination fees and any remaining payments on your device.

      However, there are a few restrictions. Device payment plans from Verizon and prepaid plans are excluded from eligibility. Although the precise eligibility criteria are not currently available on T-Mobile's website, which still displays information from the previous version of the program, we do not expect significant changes.

      Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

      Additionally, you can receive up to $1,000 in bill credits for your phone, an increase from the former cap of $830. This arrangement enables you to pay off an older device and then trade it in to T-Mobile for a new one. It's a convenient way to escape an unfavorable contract while acquiring a new phone.

      T-Mobile has also recently made substantial enhancements to its service. In 2024, the carrier recorded an average download speed of 200 Mbps on 5G. In December, T-Mobile launched satellite service with Starlink to further extend its coverage area. Once regarded as a secondary option among carriers, T-Mobile now stands alongside AT&T and Verizon, all while offering competitive pricing. If you're seeking ways to save money, switching may be a worthwhile consideration.

      **Patrick Hearn** writes about smart home technology such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.

      **T-Mobile has been subjected to a $60 million fine. Here’s why**

      T-Mobile, the third-largest carrier in the U.S., has been fined $60 million by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS). This penalty pertains to its non-compliance with the terms of a mitigation agreement established during its acquisition of Sprint Corp. in 2020.

      As reported by Reuters, Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile's parent company, did not adequately prevent or report unauthorized access to sensitive data following the Sprint acquisition. The unauthorized access occurred in 2020 and 2021 when "information was shared from a limited number of law enforcement information requests."

      **A new FCC rule could make your phone carrier less frustrating**

      The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced a proposed regulation that could alleviate one of the most annoying aspects of smartphone ownership: carrier locking. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel aims to mandate that mobile providers unlock customers' phones within 60 days of activation, simplifying the process for consumers who wish to change carriers.

      The proposal, which will be addressed at the commission's July 18 meeting, seeks to establish uniform unlocking standards for mobile service providers. Carrier locking serves dual purposes: discouraging theft and promoting customer retention, as a locked phone cannot be used with a different carrier.

      **If you use AT&T, monitor your next bill closely**

      If you hold an older unlimited plan with AT&T, expect a price increase soon. Beginning in August, the second-largest mobile carrier in the U.S. will impose additional charges for various legacy plans while simultaneously introducing new advantages for those customers.

      According to an AT&T support document, pricing will rise by $10 per month for single lines and $20 per month for multiple lines, regardless of the number of lines. The document states, "This change will enable us to provide additional benefits to your plan and ensure the delivery of the excellent wireless service you anticipate."