- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 380 reviews
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Product summary
T-Mobile offers competitively priced plans and extensive international roaming.
CNET editors' take
- Reviewed on: 02/20/2007
The second-largest GSM carrier, T-Mobile, grew out of the former VoiceStream Wireless in 2001 when VoiceStream was acquired by Germany's Deutsche Telekom. T-Mobile operates one of the smaller U.S. networks of the big four carriers, but it has roaming agreements with AT&T and other smaller operators. Though different from AT&T's, T-Mobile's phone lineup is still quite varied and includes a number of smart phones.
Things you should know:
- This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
- T-Mobile's myFaves feature gives you unlimited calling minutes to any five numbers on any network, even landlines.
- As a GSM carrier and a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile has extensive international roaming and thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in the United States and Europe.
- Of the major carriers, T-Mobile received the highest customer service rating by J.D. Power and Associates for several consecutive years.
- Offers mostly Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia phones. Does not feature LG handsets but is the exclusive provider of the Sidekick and the T-Mobile Dash smart phone.
- T-Mobile's plans are some of the most competitively priced among the major carriers.
- 3G high-speed data network still in development but it should launch a preliminary network in 2008.
Fast facts:
- Subscribers: 28.7 million
- Coverage: Though T-Mobile has network coverage in every state except Alaska, reception in rural areas can be spotty. Also, as with all carriers, reception will vary due to location. International coverage is available in more than 187 countries.
- Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE
- 3G network: No (scheduled rollout for 2008)
- Streaming video service: No
- Music download service: No
- Push-to-talk: No
| AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint Nextel | Verizon Wireless | |
| Coverage map | AT&T coverage map | T-Mobile coverage map | Sprint Nextel coverage map | Verizon Wireless coverage map |
| Technology | GSM; GPRS; EDGE | GSM; GPRS: EDGE | CDMA; 1xRTT; iDEN | CDMA; 1xRTT |
| 3G network | Yes, UMTS, EV-DO | No (coming in 2007) | Yes, EV-DO | Yes, EV-DO |
| Data plans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming video network | Yes, AT&T Video | No | Yes, Sprint Power Vision | Yes, Verizon V Cast |
| Music download service | Yes, AT&T Music | No | Yes, Sprint Music Store | Yes, V Cast Wireless Music |
| Push-to-Talk | Available, depending on phone model | No | Available, depending on phone model | Available, depending on phone model |
| Analog roaming | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Prepay plans | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Family plans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| U.S. Cellular | Alltel | MetroPCS | |
| Coverage map | U.S. Cellular coverage map | Alltel coverage map | MetroPCS coverage map |
| Technology | CDMA; 1xRTT | CDMA; 1xRTT | CDMA; 1xRTT |
| 3G network | No | Yes, EV-DO | No |
| Data plans | Yes | Yes | No |
| Streaming video network | No | Yes | No |
| Music download service | No | No | No |
| Push-to-Talk | Available, depending on phone model | Available, depending on phone model | No |
| Analog roaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prepay plans | Yes | Yes | No |
| Family plans | Yes | Yes | No |
- See more CNET content tagged:
- T-Mobile,
- VoiceStream Wireless,
- GSM company,
- EDGE,
- EVDO
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 380 reviews
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Showing 5 of 380 user reviewsSee all 380 user reviews
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11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
"Great connection & signal strength, awesome customer service, phone selection could be better"
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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