- Average user rating: stars out of 432 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
- Updated on: 06/16/2009
Editors' note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level. For more carrier information, please see CNET's Quick Guide.
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. In 2008, it finally launched its 3G network.
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.
- T-Mobile is the only major carrier not to offer push-to-talk services.
- After a long wait, T-Mobile finally released its 3G high-speed data network in 2008.
Fast facts:
- Subscribers: 32.8 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, AWS
- 3G network: Yes
- Streaming video service: No
- Music download service: No
- Push-to-talk: No
- Prepay plans: Yes
- Family plans: Yes
- See more CNET content tagged:
- T-Mobile,
- VoiceStream Wireless,
- Deutsche Telekom AG,
- push-to-talk,
- GSM
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 432 reviews
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Showing 3 of 432 user reviewsSee all 432 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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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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