How bad is T-Mobile? 

This blog post titled ” How bad is T-Mobile?” will provide you with the major cons of T-Mobile.. It covers Data Throttling and Deprioritization of T-mobile. It also enlights the comparison of T-mobile with the major network carriers.

How bad is T-Mobile?

T-mobile can be considered relatively bad. Some T-Mobile phone plans are relatively expensive. The network coverage is spotty in some areas. In certain areas, for roaming coverage, you need a cell phone which supports both CDMA and GSM. 

What is the T-Mobile network? 

T-Mobile is the 3rd-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.

Is T-mobile GSM or CDMA?  

T-mobiles is a GSM network carrier and not a CDMA network carrier.  GSM stands for global system for mobile, and it is second-generation cellular technology. T-mobile is a GSM network carrier used for mobile voice and data services. The term  CDMA stands for code division multiple access.

Mobile phone plans 

There are three major plans offered by T-Mobile.

  • 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.

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

Cons 

After reaching a certain data limit, the speed of data 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. 

Comparison with Verizon and AT&T 

In the case of T-mobile, the speed slows down once you reach the 50 GB limit whereas in the case of Verizon the speed slows down even after reaching 75 GB.

Get More Unlimited plan, offered by Verizon at $55 per month is the most preferred plan for individuals. AT&T’s unlimited data plans are a genuine cost saver.

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.

Comparison with AT&T 

 If you add more lines, then in an AT&T plan, you will get more options to upgrade to a better plan.

If you add one line, you will get $10 off per month per line for the Unlimited Elite plan.

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.

Cons of T-Mobile prepaid plans 

For any T-Mobile prepaid plan, you will not get 5G access. The speed slows down during busy hours. As well as international calling is not available. You will have to pay $20 to avail of these features. 

On the other hand, many plans offered by the metro PCS are cheaper than corresponding  T-Mobile plans.

Network coverage

The 3G network coverage of T-Mobile is only 21%. The coverage is spotty in some areas. In certain areas, you need to have a handset that will support both CDMA and GSM services. 

The 4G network of T-Mobile covers 59% of the country. Whereas the 4G network of Verizon covers 70% of the country. So Verizon is well ahead as far as network coverage is concerned.

T-mobile network carrier provides good coverage in city areas and suburbs. Whereas Verizon network carrier provides good coverage in rural areas.

Presently, AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers 68% of the country. AT&T provides good network convergence for rural areas.

Network coverage is one of the prime concerns when choosing a particular network provider.

There is not a significant difference as far as network coverage is concerned. But AT&T has more network coverage areas. If you are thinking of only coverage area and comparing the two network providers, then depending on your location, you need to make the decision.

 As far as 4G LTE speed is concerned, AT&T has an edge compared to the T mobile. For 4G phones, having an AT&T network, average speeds around 35 Mbps can be expected. But the T mobile network average speed is only about 31 Mbps. Even if it is not a huge difference, if you are talking about 4G LTE speed, then AT&T should be preferred.

T-Mobile has its towers as well as has agreements with other network providers. But the major drawback is that, in some areas where the T-Mobile network is weak, your device is programmed to keep T-Mobile towers.,even if there is a strong network from the T-Mobile partners. 

Phone selection

T-phone especially offers a wide range of budget phones. T mobile offers some budget phones from LG and Samsung which are less than $ 200.

You can buy Google’s pixel phone directly from Verizon. Verizon was the first network carrier to launch Moto devices. 

T-mobile phones have greater compatibility with unlocked devices. But you should prefer Verizon for choosing exclusive devices.

Before purchasing a new phone from other carriers, you should check the temporarily available deals on new devices.

Data Throttling and Deprioritization

Even if you have an unlimited data plan, there is an upper cap. If you cross it then T-mobile will throttle your data. It will slow down the data speed on your cell phone and other devices using the hotspot. During busy hours, priority is given to cell phone users and the data speed of hotspot devices is slowed down. 

Comparison between T-Mobile and MetroPCS 

  • MetroPCS offers almost the same features as that of T- mobile, at lower prices.
  •  It is a prepaid service provider. 
  • Subscribers can avail a range of plans to match the budgets and needs.
  • Many plans offered by the metro PCS are cheaper than corresponding  T-Mobile plans.
  • Some data-saving features of Metro PCS prevent you from overages. 
  • Metro PCS offers a variety of budget phones. You can avail all low price metro phones that satisfy particular needs.
  • Both the network providers offer extras and perks to their customers. It depends on the phone plan which you have selected.

Comparison between T-Mobile and AT&T 

There is a neck-to-neck battle between T-Mobile and AT&T.We will prefer T-Mobile for its unlimited plans and good data speeds. AT&T provides better coverage, but its plans will cost you more. Even though we might prefer T-Mobile over AT&T because of its cost, you may prefer AT&T for superior performance. Comparing unlimited plans of both the network providers, T- mobile has an Edge. Some unlimited plans from T mobile are cheap, and you get more premium data.

As far as unlimited data plans are concerned, T mobile Magenta and Magenta Plus plans are cheaper than corresponding AT&T plans. You can save $5 per month by choosing any of these plans compared to corresponding AT&T plans. If you are concerned only about family plans, then almost all family plans of T mobile are cheaper and more flexible than corresponding AT&T plans.

For a T mobile prepaid plan, you have to pay $40 per month for 10 G.B. of data. While for the similar plan in AT&T, you need to pay $40 per month for 8 G.B. of data. Presently, AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers 68% of the country, whereas T mobile covers .62%. 

AT&T provides a good network for rural areas. While T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs. If you think of 4G LTE speed, AT&T has an edge compared to the T mobile. For 4G phones, having an AT&T network, average speeds around 35 Mbps can be expected. But the T mobile network average speed is only about 31 Mbps. T-Mobile offers better deals for data plans, But AT&T’s unlimited data plans are a genuine cost saver.

Comparison between T-Mobile and Verizon 

  • Verizon Wireless network is the largest service provider in the United States.
  • T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless network provider in the United States.
  • T-mobile offers better plans. It provides a good combination of extras and perks with each plan. 
  • T- mobile plans provide the right combination of extras and perks. But Verizon offers more plans than T-Mobile.
  • The 4G network of T-Mobile covers 59% of the country. Whereas the 4G network of Verizon covers 70% of the country.
  • T-mobile phones have greater compatibility with unlocked devices. You should prefer Verizon for choosing exclusive devices.
  • Both the network providers offer extras and perks to their customers. It depends on the phone plan which you have selected.

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

How much does t-mobile pay sales associates

How much do T-mobile employees make?

How do I check my balance on my t mobile card?

Conclusion 

This article helps us to compare T-Mobile with its major competitors. This article outlines the cons of the T-mobile based on various factors like Mobile phone plans, Network coverage, Customer services, and Phone selection. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs): How bad is T-Mobile?

Will T- mobile phone work on Metro PCS?

Yes, T- mobile phone works on Metro PCS but the phone should be unlocked.

What are the key features of Metro PCS?

  • Many plans offered by the metro PCS are cheaper than corresponding  T-Mobile plans. 
  • Availability of a large variety of plans at affordable prices. 
  • Some data-saving features prevent you from overages. 
  • Offers a variety of budget phones

Is AT&T has better network coverage than T-Mobile? 

Presently AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers 68% of the country, whereas T mobile covers .62%. AT&T provides a good network for rural areas. In comparison, T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs.

Does T-Mobile or Verizon have better 5G coverage?

As far as 5G coverage is concerned T-mobile has an edge compared to Verizon. It covers approximately 40% of the country whereas  Verizon covers only 11%. As well as the speed of T- mobile  5G coverage is more than Verizon.

Is Verizon a better carrier choice than T-Mobile?

T- mobile plans provide the right combination of extras and perks. But Verizon offers more plans than T-Mobile.

The 4G network of T-Mobile covers 59% of the country. Whereas the 4G network of Verizon covers 70% of the country.

T-mobile phones have greater compatibility with unlocked devices. You should prefer Verizon for choosing exclusive devices.

Is Verizon still the best network carrier?

Yes, Verizon is still the best network carrier. In different test categories including data plan, reliability of network provider, network coverage, etc. Verizon won first place.

Which is the most preferred Verizon plan for individuals?

Verizon offers unlimited plans starting from $ 80 per month. The major unlimited plans are as follows.

  • Start unlimited
  • Play more unlimited
  • Do more unlimited
  • Get more unlimited

But Get More Unlimited plan, offered by Verizon at $55 per month is the most preferred plan for individuals.

References:

T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans Review 2022

https://www.reviews.org/mobile/t-mobile-cell-phone-plans-review/

T Mobile Prepaid Plans: The Pros, Cons, Pricing and Features

ByFirstayoMay 1, 2021

T-Mobile Review: Pros and Cons

04 June 2019 By Chris Holmes WhistleOut

https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/t-mobile-cell-phone-plans-pros-and-cons?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=4JOqgzr0A1jhld_R7gK5bh5ZAI7_PWu51r73DrCvcgw-1643458308-0-gaNycGzNCn0

T-Mobile Cell Phone Review and Plans

U.S. News 

By Rob Pegoraro Jan. 27, 2022,

https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/cell-phone-plans/tmobile

Verizon Cell Phone Plans by

Kelsey Sheehy Dec 3, 2021,

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/verizon-cell-phone-plans

AT&T vs. T-Mobile: Which carrier is better for you?

It’s time to see whether Big Blue or the Un-Carrier has your perfect plan.

By Ryan Haines, December 4, 2021,

https://www.androidauthority.com/att-vs-t-mobile-2744738/