T-Mobile alters the terms of JUMP! frequent cellphone upgrade program

Not all that long after implementation, wireless carrier T-Mobile is readying significant changes to its Jump program. Starting February 23, new signatories to the frequent upgrade plan can trade in a phone whenever desired, but users must have paid at least fifty percent of the original retail price of the device, and must also trade in the phone. The $10 monthly fee and breakage insurance remains unchanged. Given most vendor-specific annual upgrade cycles from Apple or Samsung, the new program will still allow for no-cost upgrades after a year, netting no benefit from one program to another. However, Android ecosystem devotees may find a Samsung device attractive for six months, then another vendor’s preferable in six months — this class of user is the most impacted by the new program’s specifics.