At just $ 10 per month for unlimited national calls, recently launched HotSpot @ Home VoIP Service T- mobile seems to be much for most consumers on the surface. However, there are a few limitations and requirements which may cause potential customers, especially those who are not already using T-Mobile for their wireless service, to change to the new service.
First, HotSpot @ Home is only available for customers to existing T-Mobile with qualifying wireless plans. In this case, the qualification means that you must spend at least $ 40 per month on your wireless service. Existing T-Mobile customers who have opted for cell phone service plans at low prices would need to upgrade in order to buy a VoIP service. Consumers who do not subscribe existing T-Mobile should buy a new wireless service T-Mobile in order to qualify.
The T-Mobile subscribers who do qualify to buy HotSpot @ Home service will also have at least a two-year service contract with the company. The multi-year commitment is a fairly common practice in the cell phone industry, so it is not necessarily surprising that T-Mobile would include a long-term contract for new VoIP subscribers. However, these types of commitments are much less frequent with VoIP providers, many of which offer competitive pricing plans month to month and even test without risk. We believe that blocking two-year period is what makes HotSpot @ Home far less competitive, even for subscribers of T-Mobile's existing, she could not otherwise.
In fairness, T-Mobile is not really trying to compete with the more established VoIP service providers like Vonage, with the launch of HotSpot @ Home. Their main target audience are the T-Mobile subscribers who want the convenience of managing all of their calls, whether through their cell phone line or VoIP home on a single current bill. HotSpot @ Home also has the added benefit of allowing subscribers to receive calls on either a home or a mobile location from a single phone number.
HotSpot @ Home may not be for you, even if you are a subscriber to existing T-Mobile. additional contract of the engagement means is locked in pricing both your wireless network and a VoIP service. Since these are two very competitive markets with the steady decline in price levels and a better deal around every corner, we suggest not lock yourself in.
Most consumers would probably be better to consider a VoIP service like Vonage, which is an alternative to the real land line with a very high call quality and advanced features available only on VoIP. You can learn about Vonage and other VoIP service providers by visiting our guide for VoIP service providers.