T-Mobile Updates Ultra Mobile’s Plans With More Data and Features

Ultra Mobile, via T-Mobile, announced several updates to its prepaid wireless plans, adding more high-speed data and international features for customers at the same monthly prices. These changes apply to both new and existing customers. Ultra Mobile is a T-Mobile owned prepaid brand.

Overview of Plan Changes

The upgraded plan lineup is as follows:

• $15/month now with 500MB hard capped data, previously 250MB
• $19/month now with 4GB of high-speed data, previously 3GB
• $24/month now with 8GB, previously 5GB
• $29/month upgraded to 12GB from 10GB
• $39/month 24GB, previously 15GB - Now has 5GB of high-speed data for use in Mexico
• $49/month Ultra Unlimited Plan
  Now includes:
  • 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico monthly
  • $10/month international calling credit up from $5
  • $10 international roaming credit for use in 200+ destinations, up from $5. Still one time only credit
  • Up to 100 minutes to call anywhere, plus up to 500 texts, or 500MB of roaming data abroad
• $59/month Ultra Unlimited+ Plan
  • 25GB of hotspot data, up from 20GB
  • $15/month international calling credit, up from $10
  • $15 one time international roaming credit usable in 200+ destinations, up from $10

Customers are automatically upgraded to these new benefits, and there is no action required to receive the enhanced features.

All of Ultra Mobile's plans include the same basic set of features: unlimited nationwide talk and text, unlimited talk to 90+ international destinations and global text to 200+ destinations, Wi-Fi Calling, mobile hotspot and support for SIM or eSIM. Most plans also include a monthly allotment of 500 SMS, 500 minutes, and 500MB data of domestic roaming.

Multi-Month Plan Discounts

Ultra Mobile is also expanding discounts for customers who choose multi-month plans:

• Up to 10% off 3-month plans
• 20% off 6-month plans
• 30% off 12-month plans

Ultra Mobile had been running steep discounted offers on its multi-month discounts plans for awhile now including the on again off again deal for Ultra's Unlimited Annual Plan for $20/month. That offer has been discontinued with these plan updates. However, Ultra Mobile has dropped the renewal price on that annual plan to $34/month from $40/month.

Brand Update

In addition to changes to its service plans, Ultra Mobile has introduced a new logo, replacing its traditional SIM card icon with a globe, to reflect a focus on global connectivity and the increasing adoption of eSIM technology among its users.

Editor's Take

While upgrades to wireless plans are always welcome, that doesn’t necessarily mean they offer the best value. Ultra Mobile’s lowest-priced monthly plan, $15 per month for 500MB of high-speed data, stands out as an example. This plan is difficult to find on Ultra’s own website, suggesting that the company isn’t eager to promote it. When purchased as an annual plan, the cost drops to $10 per month, which is more prominently advertised on their website. However, even at that price, it remains a relatively poor value compared to other options.

There are other providers on the T-Mobile network that offer similar international features and significantly more data for the same or lower price. For example, Tello offers 5GB of data for $15 per month, along with international calls and texts, and a 2GB plan for $10 per month. The same issue applies to Ultra’s other limited data plans, there are simply better-value options available from other T-Mobile MVNOs. Consumers can easily use tools like the BestMVNO phone plan filter to compare and find plans with similar features but better value.

Ultra Mobile’s unlimited data plans do offer comparatively better value when unlimited data plan shopping, particularly when seeking a plan with international features. However, they recently discontinued a $20 per month unlimited data annual plan, which lessens their competitiveness. Many carrier-owned prepaid brands across all networks are now targeting new “bring your own device” customers with unlimited plans at around $25 per month. For Ultra Mobile to remain competitive, it needs to offer similar deals.

Additionally, Ultra could improve its value proposition by making international roaming credits renew monthly instead of being one-time bonuses. Doubling or even tripling the data allotments for its limited data plans would also help bring them more in line with the market.