Is straight talk with T-Mobile?
By
HuutiMoney
In This blog post, we will answer the question, Is straight talk with T-Mobile?. We will cover topics like the major difference between T-mobile and straight talk, key features of both network providers, straight talk SIM card compatibility, prerequisites for switching, and porting instructions.
Does straight talk use T-Mobile’s tower?
Yes, straight talk uses T-Mobile’s towers as well as it uses AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint towers. Straight talk is MVNO ( mobile virtual network operator). That means straight talk doesn’t have its towers, but it makes use of other wireless network towers. It has rights to use towers to T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.
Why straight talk doesn’t have its towers?
Straight talk is an MVNO. It offers “pay as you go on” cell phone plans. It has a joint agreement with Tracfone wireless and Walmart. Tracfone wireless provides cell phone service and Walmart is a retail outlet from where you can buy straight talk phone and cell phone plans.
Straight talk has lease agreements with other network carriers. It provides both CDMA and GSM services to its subscribers by making use of major wireless network providers.
So straight talk avoids the cost of building own network towers. Because of this, they can offer low-budget cell phone plans.
Basics of straight talk network
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 own 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.
Key Features
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 provider has 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
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.
The straight talk offers unlimited data plans for those who need huge amounts of data.
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.
The straight talk also offers a two-line family plan that includes unlimited data, text messages, and unlimited talk.
It also offers a “30-day limited plan”. In this plan, you will get a set number of call minutes for an entire month. It also includes unlimited text messages. If you need more internet access then there is a provision of add-on plans.
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.
Straight talk SIM card compatibility
Straight talk makes use of a SIM card. So you can easily switch to a straight talk network from other network carriers. If you have an unlocked GSM or CDMA phone then you can use a straight talk SIM. But unfortunately, all GSM phones will not work with straight-talk SIM.
If you have an unlocked phone which already uses a GSM card then generally it should work with straight talk. The CDMA phones which make use of the 4G LTE are compatible with straight talk. Because such phones have a SIM card slot.
If your device is compatible with the micro-SIM it card then you can well purchase it from Walmart.
Can I transfer 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. So 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:
Does T-mobile offer unlimited data?
Does Ultramobile work with T-mobile phones?
Conclusion:
This blog post addressed the topic, “ Is straight talk with T-Mobile? “We understood the major difference between straight talk and T-Mobile. This article outlined the straight talk phone plans, Network coverage, and switching from straight talk to T-Mobile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Is straight talk with 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 own 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. So 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.
Is straight talk an MVNO?
Straight talk is an MVNO. It also offers the user a “pay as you go on” cell phone plan. It has a joint agreement with Tracfone wireless and Walmart. Tracfone wireless provides cell phone service and Walmart is a retail outlet from where you can buy straight talk phone and cell phone plans.
Straight talk has lease agreements with other network carriers. It provides both CDMA and GSM services to its subscribers by making use of major wireless network providers.
Is a straight talk SIM card compatible with unlocked GSM phones?
Straight talk makes use of a SIM card. So you can easily switch to a straight talk network from other network carriers. If you have an unlocked GSM or CDMA phone then you can use a straight talk SIM. But unfortunately, all GSM phones will not work with straight-talk SIM.
If you have an unlocked phone which already uses a GSM card then generally it should work with straight talk. The CDMA phones which make use of the 4G LTE are compatible with straight talk. Because such phones have a SIM card slot.
What are the 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
References:
Prepaid carrier Straight Talk now offers LTE service to those with compatible AT&T devices
By Dante D’Orazio on September 13, 2013
Via Android Central | Source Straight Talk
T-Mobile jumps on Straight Talk bandwagon Phil Goldstein Aug 5, 2010.
Does Straight Talk Use SIM Cards?
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Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA
Updated November 08, 2018