It’s incredible just how much popularity Pokémon GO has attained since its release last week, becoming the most popular mobile game in US history, surpassing Twitter in daily active users, and earning more than $14 million in microtransactions.
With that, a lot of companies are taking advantage of the game’s popularity with promotions, from small businesses hosting Pokéstops and special deals to bigger brands creating Pokémon-themed features like Spotify’s soundtracks and a special “Live Story” on Snapchat. But mobile carrier T-Mobile may have scored the biggest coup to date, offering a special promotion for its consumers to celebrate the release.
The mobile company recently announced that it’s thanking its customers by offering free, unlimited data for use with Pokémon GO for a year’s time starting July 19. Playing the game will not affect their current high-speed data plans. In addition, it will also offer a free Lyft ride to a nearby PokéStop or Gym location, a free Frosty provided by Wendy’s and a special deal on T-Mobile licensed accessories.
This is a very huge deal for mobile users, as it enables them to continue playing the game without the need to upgrade to a new data plan. T-Mobile will also award 250 different customers with $100 in Pokécoins, and five grand prizes winners will get trips anywhere in the US, so they can hunt for Pokémon creatures wherever they like.
“This is what T-Mobile Tuesday is all about—thanking customers with hot, new, totally free gifts every week, and right now, nothing is hotter than Pokémon GO!” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “With the carriers’ shared data schemes, players could easily burn up the family’s data bucket—and then, hello, overages! At T-Mobile, we’re unleashing Pokémon GO so our customers can play free for a year.”
There’s no word yet if other mobile carriers will follow suit with similar Pokémon GO! plans, so T-Mobile has the advantage at the moment.
