T-Mobile adds more customers than expected as new plans catch on

T-Mobile added more total customer accounts in the third quarter than analysts had predicted. The company says its mix of offers and loyalty perks is working, both for keeping current customers and for winning new ones. The report comes from Bloomberg Technology and covers the three months of the third quarter.

What changed

Analysts make estimates before a company reports its results. T-Mobile beat those estimates on customer accounts. The headline on the story also points to new rate plans, which are the monthly pricing packages customers choose from, as one reason people are signing up.

Who it affects

The company counts total customer accounts, not just phone lines. So a gain means more households and businesses signed up. If you are a T-Mobile customer, you may see more offers aimed at you. If you use another carrier, rivals may respond with deals of their own.

What is not known yet

The material available does not include the exact number of accounts added. It also does not say how much profit the company made, what the new plans cost, or which perks drew the most people. Those details would show how big the gain really is.

What to do

Carriers are competing hard with deals and perks, so it may pay to ask your provider what it can offer you.

• Check what you pay each month and what your plan includes.
• Ask your carrier about loyalty perks or new plans.
• Compare any offer with what other carriers are advertising.