On your phone, go to Settings, About phone, Status, and go down to PRL Version. You should be at 3020 or higher. If 19 or below, especially if lower, you will need to call MetroPCS via Activation by dialing *228, and after hearing her ask "What are you calling about today?" open up your Dialpad and press 5, she should ask "Okay, so you want the Latest Roaming List with MetroUSA Nationwide Coverage, if this is not right, say Go Back." Don't say anything and it should proceed "Now just a moment..." with a little 'hip' sound. After a minute, it should say it was updated, and will ask you to repeat information, just say No, and your phone should restart, with the newest PRL.
If it says she couldn't do it, you will either have to try again at a later time, or move about the place, surefire place is near a Metro Store.
If your number is 20 or higher...then you will have to play the 'waiting' game, like all my friends have. Took me a long time to get the 3G, but you'll have it, if you live in an area, as I hear, with ze Purple/Home Area, or where there are towers that support it.
MetroPCS | Coverage As for the towers, like Sprint's and ATT's, you really don't have a sure fire way of knowing due to location.
They never really supported it so its denied at all places but from talking with a Corporate *And you can see it on the forums* they are using other carriers towers, where available. 1X is 1xRTT connection which is NOT 3G, 3G is CDMA - EvDo., which the M835 is Cert. to receive 1xEV-DO rev.0, but I've seen people run rev. A, if you're lucky.
The only difference is that it's a wee bit faster, about 50-200 kpbs than 1xRTT, you can see the difference if you do a Speed Test *Avaliable free from the Market* Even then, its still crappy and slow as hell, but its all about location, location, location. Over here in Northeast Dallas/Garland Remnant, its pretty much below average, but meh. That's MetroPCS to you.