T-Mobile launched a gratis data promotion for folks headed to the Summer Olympics in Rio, and it’s now extending that generosity a bit further. On Thursday, the Magenta carrier announced that it would offer “free unlimited high-speed data” for customers in Brazil through the end of the Paralympic Games, September 18.
Here’s the nitty-gritty: T-Mobile’s postpaid subscribers — that is to say, customers on its Simple Choice plan — will have access to a speedy, 4G LTE cellular connection “wherever they go in Brazil.” Calls won’t cost a dime, either, as long as they’re placed to numbers in the U.S. and Brazil. And text messaging is free worldwide.
“We are proud to support America’s finest in Rio and make it easier than ever for their families to share every moment of their experience!” said T-Mobile chief John Legere in a statement. “These athletes have trained hard, and we want their families to stream, snap and share this historic experience without worrying about coming home to a ridiculous wireless phone bill.”
Free data and calls aren’t the only philanthropic gesture T-Mobile is making. The Un-carrier will provide free service to family members of Team USA Paralympic athletes and cool gadgets with which to use it: a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and Samsung Gear 360 camera. “[We’re] making it super simple for Un-carrier customers, plus athletes and their family members, to capture every incredible moment of the Paralymic games and share it with everyone back home,” said T-Mobile.
The Paralympic promotion is the latest benefit to hit the Un-carrier’s plans. In July, it exempted traffic from Pokémon Go, the hit mobile augmented reality game, from customers’ data plan limits. In June, it launched a wider-ranging program, T-Mobile Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, postpaid subscribers get bonuses like free pizza, movie tickets, dessert discounts, and ridesharing coupons. It continues to grant subscribers free music and standard-definition video streaming through its Music Freedom and Binge On promotions, respectively.
Those discounts, free data, and more have done the Magenta carrier well, if its most recent earnings call is any indication. In the second quarter of this year, it topped analysts’ expectations with $9.2 billion in revenue, up 12.2 percent year over year. It added 1.9 million customers, and delivered the best postpaid phone churn numbers — or the percentage of subscribers over the quarter who canceled cell service — in its history (1.27 percent).
