T-Mobile

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Overview

T-Mobile has become one of the most recognizable names in wireless. They don’t boast as many subscribers as rivals Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon, but they offer competitive plans and a large nationwide network. Their advertising campaigns, once featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones and now featuring Carley Foulkes, generate plenty of buzz for the nation’s fourth-largest wireless carrier.

Pros: T-Mobile offers a large number of plans that can fit the needs of nearly every individual or family. Their plans are competitively priced as well, since they cannot match the large appeal of AT&T and Verizon. Their phones are also priced to sell, with many recent models available for free on a two-year contract.

Cons: While T-Mobile’s 4G HSDPA+ network is fast, it is not quite as powerful as LTE networks that competitors boast. They also don’t offer as many handsets as competitors, including the iPhone.

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Detailed Provider Information

Unlimited Talk Plans: T-Mobile offers five individual plans that offer unlimited talk and text. The plans differ on the amount of high-speed data they offer (all plans include overall unlimited data). The Ultra plan costs $124.99 per month and offers 10GB of high-speed data plus 10GB of photo and video storage. The Premium plan offers 5GB of high-speed data plus 10GB of photo and video storage. The Nationwide 4G plan offers unlimited data for $89.99 per month. The Unlimited Plus plan offers up to 2GB of high-speed data for $79.99 per month. Finally, the Classic Unlimited, which includes just talk and text, costs $59.99 per month.

Limited Talk Plans: T-Mobile also offers plans that include 500 minutes per month. They are on the same tiers as the unlimited plans — Ultra ($114.99), Premium ($84.99), Nationwide 4G ($79.99) and Plus ($69.99 per month). The 500 minutes plus unlimited text costs $49.99 per month, and just the 500 voice minutes costs $39.99 per month.

Family Plans: T-Mobile family plans come in the same tiers as their individual plans. The prices listed are for the first two lines. With the Unlimited plans, additional lines are 30 dollars per month. The Ultra plan costs $229.98 per month; Premium costs $169.98; Nationwide 4G costs $159.98; Plus costs $139.98 per month; just talk and text, with no data, costs $99.98 per month. The limited plans include 1,000 minutes per line, with additional lines costing 10 dollars per month. Ultra costs $209.98 per month; Premium costs $149.98; Nationwide 4G costs $139.98; Plus costs $119.98; Talk + Text costs $79.98 per month; and just talk costs $59.98 per month.

You can visit our sister site, Prepaid Reviews, to learn more about T-Mobile prepaid plans.

Text and Multimedia Messaging: Unlimited messaging is included with nearly every plan, aside from the limited-minute talk-only plans. Customers who want text messaging must sign up for one of these plans.

Data Plans: T-Mobile customers who want data included with their plans must sign up for one of the plans that includes data — which includes all of their plans except the Talk + Text and talk-only plans.

Insurance: T-Mobile offers handset insurance starting at $4.79 per month.

Customer Service: Customers can get support through a number of channels, including in-store, email, website chat, or through a toll-free number.

Credit Check: A credit check is required for all contract plans.

Contract: T-Mobile contracts run for two years, and are subject to early termination fees. If there is more than 180 remaining days of service, the early termination fee is 200 dollars. For between 91 and 180 days the fee is 100 dollars, between 30 and 90 days the fee is 50, and for less than 30 days it is the lesser of 50 dollars or the amount left on the plan.

Payment Options: Customers can pay their monthly bills through the mail by check, on the website by credit card, or by any form in a T-Mobile dealership.

Downloadables: There are many downloadable items, including graphics, media, and games.

International Calling: International calls from T-Mobile vary by country. They offer two plans, 15 dollars per month for international talk and text, and 10 dollars per month for international calling.

Roaming Charges: T-Mobile does not charge roaming fees anywhere in the U.S.

Calling Features: T-Mobile plans include caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and voicemail at no additional charge.

Activation Fee: There is a one-time fee of 35 dollars to activate a T-Mobile line.

411 Calls: Directory assistance is available for $1.99 per call.

911 Calls: 911 calls are free.

Phones: T-Mobile does not offer the world’s most popular smartphone, the iPhone, but it does offer a wide range of Android and Windows Phone options. Many of its options are on the cheaper end, and they have a large selection of free phones when customers sign two-year contracts.

• Shop for deals on T-Mobile phones and plans
• Visit the official T-Mobile website
• Write a review of T-Mobile