T-Mobile slashes G1 ‘Google phone’ monthly tariff prices
Operator now giving device away for free on £30 tariffs
T-Mobile has slashed tariff pricing on its exclusive G1 Google phone just one month after release, in an attempt to overcome fierce competition from other high-end devices.
T-Mobile says the £10 tariff price drop is intended to keep the G1 competitive in the market and is not a reaction to poor sales.
The device was released on 1 November and was initially free on tariffs from £40 per month, but is now offered on a £30 per month tariff.
A T-Mobile spokeswoman said: ‘We have chosen to offer the device free with a £30 contract to make the pricing more competitive in light of recent device launches. We are well on track to achieve our sales forecasts.’
The G1 is facing competition from exclusive handsets offered by other network’s, such as Vodafone’s Blackberry Storm, which was released two weeks after the G1 Google phone in mid November. O2’s iPhone, is also being pushed with a fresh round of advertising in the lead up to Christmas.
Andrew Coull, T-Mobile retail director, told Mobile recently: ‘The G1 is T-Mobile’s best selling handset by a long shot. Core customers are getting excited by the product.’
Some T-Mobile staffers have said the lower price will expand into the market of consumers who are unaware of the product’s capability. One staffer said: ‘The lower price is just to attract more people, not a lot of people know about the G1’s capabilities.’