With a low-data plan, a middle-of-the-pack data plan, and three unlimited options, there’s a plan for almost everyone. Those prices are pretty cheap too. But we’ll sure miss our HD video streaming. One potential downside is the weaker coverage.1 If you opt for an unlimited plan, you’ll want a solid connection everywhere you go. Compared to the coverage juggernaut, Verizon, Metro by T-Mobile’s coverage isn’t the best. But you’ll still get a good connection in most urban areas. Another downside is the risk of deprioritization. This happens when the network owner, in this case T-Mobile, decides to prioritize the data speeds of some customers over others. During times of network congestion, Metro customers can end up at the back of the data connection line, so to speak. Another massive thing going for Metro—5G LTE Mobile Hotspot. 5G is becoming more readily available with all mobile carriers, you can translate 5G to “really fast hotspot speeds.” Metro continues to roll out its 5G coverage, it’s safe to assume that the hotspot speeds will be mind-blowingly fast. The main difference you’ll see with your different Metro family plan options revolves around how much Mobile Hotspot data you plan on using. If you travel a lot for business or school and need to rely on a mobile hotspot in a pinch, you might want to consider one of the more expensive family plan options. By the way, don’t be afraid of the steep up-front costs you see above. You can avoid the cost by transferring your old phone over or buying an older phone. But if you want the latest and greatest, expect steep up-front costs for the new phone. Again, the upfront costs are based on purchasing brand new phones with your plan. You can avoid dropping all that money if you transfer your old phones. If you do get new phones for the fam, you can save some money buying through Metro as opposed to an AT&T or T-Mobile plan. For Metro by T-Mobile, prepaid plans are its bread and butter. You’ll have a hard time finding a better prepaid plan that includes 5 GB LTE mobile hotspot, along with 4G LTE coverage for such an affordable price. Other carriers, like AT&T and Ultra Mobile, can’t claim the same speeds for prepaid plans. Don’t believe us? We’re hurt, but that’s fine. Take a look for yourself. Remember, all your fees and taxes are included in the price you see below for Metro. That’s not the case with the competition. Feast your eyes on these popular devices that Metro sells. Instead, you’ll need to visit a store or give Metro by T-Mobile a call at 1 (888) 863-8768. However, Metro does allow for a bring your own phone (BYOP) option if you’re committed to the Google Pixel lifestyle. You’ll need to visit a store to make sure your Google phone is fully compatible and then purchase a Metro SIM card. Check out the coverage map to get a better idea of coverage in your area. The Metro site states, “During congestion, Metro customers may notice reduced speeds vs. T-Mobile customers.” This is what we in the industry call deprioritization. (Spoiler alert: don’t be surprised if your favorite Hulu show starts to buffer.) The sad fact is that wireless providers are notorious for poor customer service, and Metro is no exception. Many customer reviews note that there is lackluster service both in the store and over the phone.1 T-Mobile scored a 72 in the 2021 American Customer Satisfaction Index Report. For reference, Verizon and AT&T tied at a 74, so T-Mobile has some room to improve.2 Metro by T-Mobile has a good amount of four and five-star customer reviews mixed in through Consumer Affairs.1 Metro has a ways to go, but they aren’t doing the worst out of all the cell phone providers. So maybe there’s hope for Metro customer service after all. Either way, it’s best to be prepared to spend some time (and patience) when you visit the store or give them a call. Plans: You’ve got a choice between four solid plans. Each one offers a good amount of data for a competitive price, including three unlimited options. But be prepared to visit your nearest Metro store to purchase that plan (and maybe your phone). Performance: Metro runs on T-Mobile’s network, so you can expect great speeds and good coverage—although rural areas may have signal issues. There are two caveats, though: You’ll be able to stream video only in SD, and your data speeds may be slower than if you were a T-Mobile customer. Customer service: What can we say? Metro customer service isn’t the best. But sadly, that’s true for most wireless companies. Overall: Metro is a competitive choice for prepaid phone plans in particular. It might not be the best option for unlimited plans due to less-than-great coverage, but you can get away with it in urban areas. You might be able to call Metro and request a grace period. But keep in mind that your bill will be due the same day of the month the next month—your late payment won’t push back your due date. For example, if your bill was due on May 3 and you paid on May 10, your next bill will still be due on June 3. If you’re coming from T-Mobile or AT&T, which both run on GSM networks, your phone will likely be good to go as long as you unlock it and purchase a Metro SIM card. If you’re switching from Verizon, though, you may run into issues, since both of those carriers run on CDMA. We have an easy guide to help you find out whether your phone is GSM or CDMA. Even though Metro uses T-Mobile’s network, the pricing options are a little different. You’ll pay less for Metro at times of heavy network congestion, Metro customers may notice reduced speeds and are at risk of deprioritization vs. T-Mobile customers. This is the case with all the best MVNOs. MVNOs piggyback off of bigger networks. You’ll pay cheaper prices, but you’ll also be the first to be deprioritized when the network is busy.
