By David Laguerre
New Yorkers whose T-Mobile bills rose despite a price guarantee will get new choices: leave with a reimbursement, or stay with protection against further rate increases. Some customers will also qualify for a phone upgrade.
Attorney General Letitia James announced the T-Mobile settlement on October 20. Her office estimates the available benefits could exceed $38 million in value. That figure includes potential benefits, rather than a $38 million cash-refund fund.
What happened to the price guarantee?
The attorney general said T-Mobile promised stable prices on certain plans marketed from 2017 to 2019, then raised charges by about $5 per line in 2024. Approximately 252,957 New York plans were enrolled during the original offer period.
“New Yorkers deserve clear and honest prices, not misleading offers with hidden fine print,” James said.
Who qualifies for the T-Mobile settlement?
The signed agreement covers New York-billed accounts that joined T-Mobile ONE from January 1, 2017, through April 30, 2019, and remained on that plan during the 2024 increase.
Benefits depend on whether T-Mobile identifies a line receiving less than 5G service as of October 20, 2026. Accounts with all lines on 5G, or incomplete device information, fall into the other group.
The choices for affected customers
- Upgrade-eligible accounts: Cancel for payment of the final month’s recurring service charge plus a $25 cash card. Those staying can choose certain free 5G phones valued up to $250, or a $150 credit toward other models, for qualifying lines.
- Other covered accounts: Cancel for payment of the final month’s recurring service charge, or stay.
Both groups that stay on their current plans receive a freeze on monthly recurring charges until at least May 30, 2029.
Watch for a notice, then check the deadline
T-Mobile must send notices within 150 days of October 20. Customers generally get 45 days after notification to choose time-limited benefits. Mailed notices carry five extra days; billing statements will include reminders.
The agreement specifies a $98,834.75 payment to New York. T-Mobile neither admits nor denies the attorney general’s findings.
Mohawk Valley readers should save their notice and compare its options with their household’s needs before changing service. Confirm account-specific details through a trusted T-Mobile contact channel.