Is T-Mobile good?

[nickarli]

Right now I'm on Sprint and was thinking about getting a GNex from Google Play (No contract) I was wondering how everbody likes T-Mobile. I'm looking for general signal strength, speed would be good but that's not important, and price. I see a $50 unlimited plan with no contract, is that good, too?

 

[lordj]

I get great signal all over town, and get around 7mbps at my house, sometimes more. The $50 plan is useless @ 100mb of data before throttle. I don't use a lot of minutes so I got the $30 plan which includes 100 minutes, unlimited text, and 5gb data. Additional minutes are $0.10 so if I need another 100 I just add ten bucks.

 

[LoyalServant]

Fine for me... but my area is covered fairly well.
If your in a metro area you have little to no problems usually.

Did you look at their coverage map to make sure that your area is covered?

 

[mogelijk]

T-Mobile is fine but, like Sprint, their coverage can be spotty. As was said in other posts, check the coverage in your area and, if you are in a metro area, chances are the coverage should be pretty good.

Also, the PC Mag article about the fastest mobile networks might be help give you an idea of what kind of speeds you might expect, again if you are in a metro area; though as a general rule, if you compare the cities, T-Mobile appears more reliable and faster than Sprint.

You may also want to check the Carrier Coverage app as it can show you the signal strength of T-Mobile users in your area -- the one issue is whether they have enough data for your area for T-Mobile.

As someone that switched from Virgin Mobile to T-Mobile, I've been happy with the switch and love the Galaxy Nexus. I have the $30 plan that is 100 minutes talk and up to 5GB data before throttling; to extend my talk time I use Google Voice with GrooveIP to use VoIP calls when I'm connected to WiFi. As was previously pointed out, the $50 plan, while having unlimited talk, starts throttling after 100MB; throttling slows you down to EDGE speeds.

 

[nickarli]

You keep saying $30 plan, I couldn't find that on T-Mobile's website, but that would be even better since with the Kroger iWireless plan I have now is $50 and could last me 2 months. Could someone please add a link to that plan details?

 

[lordj]

T-Mobile Prepaid Plans
Its the "web exclusive" $30 plan.

 

[nickarli]

OK, thanks, now if I activate my GNex, I would just get a SIM card, correct? Sorry about all the questions, I'm new to this concept completely

 

[mogelijk]

OK, thanks, now if I activate my GNex, I would just get a SIM card, correct? Sorry about all the questions, I'm new to this concept completely

Yes, just order the Activation Kit online for $.99. I believe you can also get it in a T-Mobile store, but they charge about $7 for them. Then once you get the SIM you need to activate it online to get the $30 plan.

 

[Petrah]

Yes, just order the Activation Kit online for $.99. I believe you can also get it in a T-Mobile store, but they charge about $7 for them. Then once you get the SIM you need to activate it online to get the $30 plan.

Yes, you can get the sim cards from a physical T-Mobile store (they charged me $9.99 for mine).

MrFroyo, if you do go that rout and purchase a sim card from a physical T-Mobile store, don't get the $30.00 plan from there as they cannot offer you the 100 min 5GB plan (there are two $30.00 plans). That's for online (T-Mobile website) first time customers only and is the one you want.

In short, you can get the sim card from the T-Mobile store (which costs more than the one offered on the site), but make sure you get the online special plan from the T-Mobile website.

 

[nickarli]

Alright, so what I've collected from this is that like sprint, T Mobile is spotty in places, I can get a 30 dollar plan with 100mins, unltd texting, and 5GB of data online only, get a SIM for 10 bucks from the store, put the SIM in the GNex and go. Got it. Thanks, guys.

 

[LoyalServant]

I am curious as to how this turns out.
Can you keep us posted on how things are in your area as far as coverage and the likes?

 

[nickarli]

I am curious as to how this turns out.
Can you keep us posted on how things are in your area as far as coverage and the likes?

Yessir, of course.

 

[as439726]

Just want to add that I LOVE TMOBILE.
I have been with them since they were Voicestream. Best rates, great customer care (if you know what to do), and the most reliability I've had with the major carriers. Yes there are issues sometimes, but they are outweighed by all the positives.

 

[BadWolf47]

I love 'em so far! Coverage is better than Boost was and the network is a lot faster.

 

[johnny424]

I love 'em so far! Coverage is better than Boost was and the network is a lot faster.

that is exactly the reason I can't wait to get away from sprints network..I use virgin..their network is unreliable at best..plus the phone selection with T-Mobile you just can't beat.

 

[agentc13]

I switched from Verizon to Virgin to save money. Then I switched to T-Mobile, as Virgin's network just didn't cut it for me.

So I am still saving money, and in my area I get pretty much the same coverage as when I was with Verizon. (I didn't have 4g on Verizon, so I can't compare that)

 

[KidFromSpace]

the 30 dollar monthly 4g payments are normal bills through the mail correct? im looking to switch from metro pcs for the galaxy s3

 

[mogelijk]

the 30 dollar monthly 4g payments are normal bills through the mail correct? im looking to switch from metro pcs for the galaxy s3

No, you will not receive a bill in the mail. You will get reminders on your phone. There is also an app you can get on your phone or you can set up a my.t-mobile.com account, if you want it. There are plenty of options to pay: you can pay online including setting up an auto payment, you can pay in a T-Mobile store, you can pay over the phone, or you can buy a T-Mobile prepaid card.

 

[ajbuck68]

the 30 dollar monthly 4g payments are normal bills through the mail correct? im looking to switch from metro pcs for the galaxy s3

Monthly 4g is prepaid. so for june, you might pay on June 1, for service June 1 - June 30. Not sure if you knew that already or not.

 

[sleedeane]

$59 for unlimited talk and text, $20 more for 2g of data, which I never even get close to using.
With my T-Mobile TV, my bill is $105.

I get lousy reception at my house. I have wifi just for my phone (I don't have a computer). Without it I get about 1mb down. I need to go to KC or St.Louis to get 4g.
Which is a shame as my phone (S2) is HSPA+42 capable, which is T-mobiles version of LTE:

http://www.tmonews.com/2012/06/t-mobiles-hspa-network-takes-on-lte-in-pc-mags-latest-speed-tests/.

So T-Mobile can be pretty good. Look at a coverage map and see if your area gets 4g.

 

[KidFromSpace]

Monthly 4g is prepaid. so for june, you might pay on June 1, for service June 1 - June 30. Not sure if you knew that already or not.

so it is not as if u get billed once a month like a normal phone bill? im sorry for asking so many questions.

 

[nickarli]

so it is not as if u get billed once a month like a normal phone bill? im sorry for asking so many questions.

You do get billed every month, just not by mail. You just have to remember the day to pay or as iWireless calls it the 'anniversary date'

 

[Petrah]

so it is not as if u get billed once a month like a normal phone bill? im sorry for asking so many questions.

No, you don't get billed. They'll remind you to pay, but you never get a bill with a prepaid account.

 

[mogelijk]

No, you don't get billed. They'll remind you to pay, but you never get a bill with a prepaid account.

I suppose we should also point out, it doesn't necessarily kill you if you forget to pay. There are no late fees or anything else, you just lose the ability to call (except for emergency numbers) or use data on your phone. Then, as soon as you pay, your service is reconnected complete with phone number (so long as you don't go a month or two without paying).

 

[johnny424]

hi guys ..

i was looking at the nexus development over at xda and a few other places and i am kinda confused..

i seen sub forums for..

sprints galaxy nexus..and
verizons galaxy nexus

..but no tmobile nexus forum..i know that sprint is cdma and doesn't apply..but do the tmobile nexus users use roms from the verizon nexus forum? please forgive me if I'm way off..but i am curious where tmobile nexus users go on xda and other forums?