Can you Switch from straight talk to T-Mobile?

In This blog post, we will guide you to switch from straight talk to T-Mobile. It covers topics like the major difference between T-mobile and straight talk, key features of both network providers, prerequisites for switching to T-Mobile, and porting instructions. 

Can you Switch from straight talk to T-Mobile?

You can easily switch from straight talk to T-Mobile. Just contact the T-mobile network provider, they will happily help you. But your phone must be unlocked and it should be GSM compatible.

Basics of network providers 

 T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless network provider in the USA. T-Mobile is a German telecommunication industry and it has some investments in other mobile communication industries in the United States

T-Mobile USA has a network sharing agreement with Cingular Wireless, an American mobile operator. Due to this, T- mobile has access to some top markets in the USA.

straight talk is a wireless network service provider and it was launched in 2009. It offers a no-contract phone plan service.

What is the major difference between T-mobile and straight talk?

T mobile is a major cell phone carrier. T-Mobile makes use of its network. It has roaming agreements with other major carriers to improve the network coverage.

Straight talk does not have its towers. It is MVNO(a Mobile virtual network operator). The straight talk uses four major carriers, namely Verizon, AT& T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. But here you don’t have a choice to move from one network carrier to another.

Is it worth switching from straight talk to T-Mobile?

Before switching from straight talk to T-Mobile, you should compare the following factors of straight talk and T-mobile.

  • Key Features
  • Mobile phone plans
  • Network coverage
  • Extras and perks
  • Customer care services

Key Features

We Will discuss key features of both, T-Mobile and straight talk.

Key features of T-mobile  

  • Monthly installment plans are offered for T Mobile phones. 
  • More priority is always given to the T-Mobile subscribers on the network over other subscribers. This is a prime important factor in case of network congestion. 
  •  T mobile offers some better additional options, for example, international talk and data add-ons
  •  T mobile network providers have an excellent customer service record. 
  • Some extra perks are offered only for T-Mobile subscribers. 

Key features of straight talk

  • The straight talk uses four major carriers namely Verizon, AT& T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Ultimately one can expect better network coverage.
  • Low-cost activation.
  • It offers a large number of compatible devices.
  • Offers a good selection of iPhones, even at a discounted price.
  • There is no credit check.
  • offers good international options but with some additional charges.

Cons of straight talk

  • Limited primary plans and family plans are not available.
  • Hotspot connectivity is available only on one plan ($ 55 plan).
  • Below average customer care service.

Mobile phone plans

compared to straight talk T-Mobile offers a large variety of mobile phone plans.

T-mobile plans

Under this category, we will consider the following significant plans.

  • Unlimited plans
  • Family plans
  • Prepaid plans

Unlimited plans

It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data.  But after reaching a specific data limit, the data speed is affected, and it is reduced.  

Technically, these plans are unlimited, but the fact is that speed gets reduced as you go on using premium data.

T-Mobile provides three unlimited data plans: 

  • Essential unlimited plan
  • magenta unlimited plan
  • magenta plus unlimited plan.
PlanPrice per lineUnlimited text and talkPremium dataMobile hotspot dataUnlimited Video streaming
Essential$60Applicable50GBUnlimited at 3GB speedSd streaming
Magenta$70Applicable100GB5GB high-speed dataSd streaming
Magenta plus$85ApplicableUnlimited40GB high-speed dataUp to 4k UHD streaming
Family plans.

T-Mobile network providers give reasonable offers for family plans. If you add lines, then the cost per line will get reduced. For the magenta max family plan, if you add one line, the cost per line will be reduced by $15. If you add more lines, you can bring the cost down to $40 per line. It’s a perfect offer for totally unlimited and high-speed data. Speed up to 30 Mbps or even more can be obtained.

Prepaid plans

T-Mobile offers its prepaid plans. The range of prepaid plans is from $45 to $75 per month. You can avail 4GB of LTE data for  $45 and 10GB of data for $50. At the higher end, T-mobile offers unlimited data plans for $75.

Straight talk plans

The straight talk offers the following three major prepaid plans.

  • 3 GB plan for $35 per month.
  • 25 GB plan for $45 per month.
  • Unlimited plus 10GB  hotspot plan for $55 per month.

Practically these plans are not unlimited. These plans are for 4G LTE data speed allotment, but after reaching a certain limit the speed is reduced to 2G.

Network coverage

For the 4G network, T mobile covers 62% of the country. T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs. 

The straight talk uses four major carriers, namely Verizon, AT& T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. But you don’t have a choice to move from one network carrier to another. 

In case of network congestion, whenever there is heavy traffic, less priority is given to the straight talk subscribers compared to other major subscribers.

Extras and perks

T mobile offers the following parks for their subscribers.

  • On every Tuesday, Magenta and Magenta Plus subscribers are eligible for freebies. It may include movie tickets at discounted prices or free food.
  • For family unlimited plans, if any one of the family members is not using the full data, then T-mobile offers an account credit.
  • T mobile offers a “digits program “, where you can use one number on multiple devices, and subscribers with two or more lines will get a free Netflix subscription. 

Straight talk does not provide any extras and perks to their customers, but they offer some rewards for the payment of ontime phone bills.

Customer care services

T- mobile provides better customer service support compared to straight talk. T-Mobile handles inquiries of customers using various means like; on phone, live chatting, and also using social media. Apart from this, the website of T-Mobile provides much useful information.

Straight talk is a budget cell phone service provider. The customer care service of straight talk is below average.

Prerequisites for transferring the number from straight talk to T-Mobile

To transfer the current phone number from straight talk to T- mobile, the following prerequisites should be satisfied.

  • The current phone number must be active.
  • If the phone number is deactive, then it must be activated again to transfer to another carrier.
  • The information for port-out requests sent by T-Mobile must match with information already stored in the straight talk system.

What are the porting instructions?

If you want to switch from straight talk to T-Mobile, initially you need to call straight talk customer service. Request them to release your phone number for port out. This is required to minimize the delays in the porting process.

How to get an account number for a straight talk phone?

To complete the porting process, you need to know the account number of your straight talk phone. It is a 15 digit number registered with straight talk. This is the IMEI number of your phone.

Normally this number is located on the backside of the phone. If it is hard to read out the number then go to the setting menu and get the serial number of your phone.

How to get the PIN? 

To Port your number to T-mobile you need to have your phone PIN. 

To obtain the PIN following steps are used. 

  • Go to the straight talk website. 
  • Open the “my account” page. 
  • Click “update personal profile”. 
  • The security pin will be displayed. 

Step to switch to T-Mobile

The following steps are used to switch from straight talk to T-Mobile. 

  • Gather your current network account information that includes your account number, password or PIN, and Billing zip code.
  • Make sure that your phone is active with straight talk. 
  • Check that your phone is unlocked. 
  • Make sure that your phone is compatible with T- mobile. 
  • Check out whether your phone is eligible for porting. 
  • Choose an appropriate phone plan from T-Mobile wireless network. 
  • Activate the new plan and cancel out the previous plan with straight talk. 

Below are other T-Mobile articles you may be interested in:

How to call T-mobile voicemail?

How to change the T-mobile number?

How to check data balance on T-mobile?

Conclusion:

 This blog post addressed the topic, “Switching from straight talk to T-Mobile

 ”. We understood the major difference between straight talk and T-Mobile. This article outlined the detailed steps to switch to the T-Mobile network. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Switching from straight talk to T-Mobile

What is the major difference between T-mobile and straight talk?

T mobile is a major cell phone carrier. T-Mobile makes use of its network. It has roaming agreements with other major carriers to improve the network coverage.

Straight talk does not have its towers. It is MVNO(a Mobile virtual network operator). The straight talk uses four major carriers, namely Verizon, AT& T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. But you don’t have a choice to move from one network carrier to another.

How to get an account number for a straight talk phone?

To complete the porting process, you need to know the account number of your straight talk phone. It is a 15 digit number registered with straight talk. This is the IMEI number of your phone.

Normally this number is located on the backside of the phone. If it is hard to read out the number then go to the setting menu and get the serial number of your phone.

How to get the PIN? 

To Port your number to T-mobile you need to have your phone PIN. 

To obtain the PIN following steps are REQUIRED. 

  • Go to the straight talk website. 
  • Open the “my account” page. 
  • Click “update personal profile”. 
  • The security pin will be displayed. 

Can you use T-mobile phones on other networks?

Yes, you can. If the T-Mobile phone is unlocked and compatible then it should work with other Wireless. Most latest phones from T mobile are compatible but you must check the compatibility with the carrier before purchasing. 

Can T mobile track IMEI? 

Yes, whenever you make a call your identity is represented by two numbers, one is the IMEI(International Mobile Equipment Identity) number and  IMSI( International Mobile Subscriber Identity) number

Can you check your carrier with IMEI?

IMEI provides only device-related information and not any personal information of the owner. But it does provide a location and some network-related information.

References 

How to Switch to T-Mobile

06 November 2020

By Lauren Hannula

https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/how-to-switch-to-t-mobile-and-bring-your-own-phone?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=QrEwEdjQhdINtRYRkxs0AVb.StyNPR7DDagdPUnsJCg-1641732346-0-gaNycGzNCn0

The 9 Best Straight Talk Phones to Buy at Walmart in 2022

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on phone plans

By Yoona Wagener Updated on May 5, 2021

https://www.lifewire.com/best-straight-talk-phones-to-buy-at-walmart-4173696

Switch to T-Mobile

Keep your phone, trade it in, or buy a new one—the choice is yours. Whichever way you switch, we’ll help make it easy, fast, and affordable.

https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/how-to-join-us

HOW TO SWITCH CARRIERS AND KEEP YOUR PHONE

18 JULY 2018

https://blog.straighttalk.com/switch-carriers-and-keep-your-phone/

Transfer your phone number to T-Mobile.

Switch to T-Mobile, and keep your number.

https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/keep-your-number