MetroPCS

MetroPCS to reach 100 million more, thanks to T-Mobile

May 16th, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

While the fundamental services offered by T-Mobile and MetroPCS won’t change any time soon, MetroPCS will realize one enormous benefit following the merger. They will cover 100 million additional potential customers by the end of 2014, starting “very quickly” according to T-Mobile CFO Braxton Carter, who previously held the same position with MetroPCS. For a carrier that exists only in select markets across the country, expansion of this magnitude could bring enormous gains. As long as they don’t come at the expense of T-Mobile customers, it could be a big, and underreported, win in this merger.

Via FierceWireless.

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T-Mobile and MetroPCS expect few changes following merger

April 29th, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

After months of jumping through regulatory and shareholder loops, the T-Mobile/MetroPCS merger has gone through. They’ll make it official this Wednesday, May 1. Now that the journalists and analysts have had their field day, we get to the question at the heart of the matter: what does this mean to you, the customer of either MetroPCS or T-Mobile. The answer, in short, is that nothing will change immediately. While the two entities will fall under the same corporate umbrella, they will continue to operate as they have previously. The only small change might be expanded handset availability, but with T-Mobile’s limited LTE coverage that might not be a big consideration in the short run.

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T-Mobile deals gets thumbs up from MetroPCS shareholders

April 24th, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Last month the T-Mobile MetroPCS deal passed regulatory muster, but it still lacked a key component: MetroPCS shareholder approval. Many major shareholders made waves, claiming that the deal undervalued MetroPCS. After some back-and-forth, T-Mobile improved the offer. It was well received, and this morning the MetroPCS shareholders approved the deal. That is the last hurdle before the merger can go through. Expect a bigger announcement soon, with the combined company taking shape in the next few months.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS adds Huawei Premia 4G

March 21st, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

MetroPCS is back with a new handset, the Huawei Premia 4G. As you can expect from its newer handset, it’s an Android 4.0 smartphone that features a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GM of RAM. In other words, it’s safely to the 2012 standards. That’s not a complaint, mind you. It’s just putting this into perspective. It features a 4-inch screen and a 5-megapixel camera, so it’s pretty much up to standard. Here’s the thing: it costs only $150, and you don’t have to sign a contract. Given most phones on the market these days, that makes the Premia an exceptional value. You can get it at MetroPCS’s website, paired with one of their 4G LTE plans.

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T-Mobile – MetroPCS update: Passees DoJ, in shareholders’ hands

March 7th, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

If not for the Department of Justice interceding in the AT&T – T-Mobile proposed merger, I wouldn’t be writing this today. But just over a year ago the DoJ and FCC shot down their deal, leaving AT&T to seek expansion elsewhere and T-Mobile searching for solutions. After many months, they announced their next idea: a merger with MetroPCS. Yesterday we learned that the DoJ won’t step in on this one. Their opportunity to pry further into the merger has passed, implicitly signaling that they have no problems should the two parties come to a final agreement. But in this case, the future hurdles appear significant.

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MetroPCS adds LG Spirit 4G

February 1st, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

This week MetroPCS unveiled the LG Spirit 4G, the latest touchscreen 4G handset in its lineup. It features a fairly basic style, though it is on the larger side at 4.5 inches. That makes it a good comparable for the 4.8-inch Galaxy S III. IT also features a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, which will do fine for any user. And yes, it runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich — it’s pretty pointless for carriers like MetroPCS to be offering 2.3 Gingerbread handsets at this point. You can get it now at MetroPCS’s website for $199, but that’s after a $70 mail-in rebate.

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Rhapsody now a $5 add-on with MetroPCS plans

January 18th, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

There was something conspicuously absent last week when MetroPCS announced changes to the LTE plan lineup. Gone were not only some of the plans, but some of the features associated with the higher tiers. Specifically, there was no mention of the Rhapsody deal MetroPCS had previously offered to its $70 tier customers. Yesterday we got clarification on that point. Rhapsody is still available to MetroPCS customers, but it is not included standard with any tier. Instead it is available as a $5 add-on with any of its plans. That’s half price, which should make a good deal for any MetroPCS customer. Interested customers can sign up for Rhapsody through their accounts on MetroPCS’s website.

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MetroPCS revamps LTE plan lineup

January 11th, 2013   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

In the last year or so it seemed as though MetroPCS was greatly expanding the number of plans it offered for its LTE customers. It most recently added a $30 LTE plan, and last April it tinkered with its LTE plans. At that point they had four plans, but this week they announced a reduction to three. The elimination of options does mean waving goodbye to the $30 plan, but that was promotional in nature. The three remaining plans offer MetroPCS customers straightforward options for their smartphone needs.

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MetroPCS offers up ZTE Avid 4G

December 26th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

The latest 4G LTE smartphone from MetroPCS is the ZTE Avid 4G, a solidly mid-range handset with some high-end features. The 1.2GHz dual-core processor will appeal to those who want high-end specs, though the 800 x 4800 pixel screen will turn off those seeking a higher definition experience. The Avid does run Android 4.0, which is pretty much required these days. The 4-inch display is large enough, without getting into the gargantuan ranges of the Galaxy SIII and Galaxy Note II. The price is right, too: you can get the Avid 4G at MetroPCS’s website for $149.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS gets slightly upgraded Samsung Galaxy Admire 4G

December 7th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    4 Comments

For MetroPCS and Samsung, it was time for an upgrade. Last year they launched the Samsung Admire, a value-based Android handset that was targeted for the back-to-school market. Yesterday they announced the release of the sequel, and it gets a few upgrade. The first comes in name, where the Samsung Admire becomes the Samsung Galaxy Admire 4G. The name begets the 4G LTE upgrade. Also along the ride is the processor, which gets a boost to 1GHz, and the screen, which is a slightly bigger 3.65 inches. It is also compatible with Joyn. The Admire 4G is nothing that will blow you out of the water, but it can still provide value given its price of $169. It is available on MetroPCS’s website and retailers nationwide.

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MetroPCS expands Joyn availability

December 4th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

To kick off November MetroPCS launched a new service: Joyn. It’s a pretty simple communications program that allows video chat, BBM-style instant messaging, file sharing, and more. It was previously only available for the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G, but has now expanded in scope. Customers who own the Samsung Galaxy S III< the Lightray 4G, the LG Connect 4G, Motion 4G, the ZTE Anthem 4G, and the Coolpad Quattro 4G can now hook up to Joyn. That's a big step for the service; without a critical mass of users it's not very effective. Users can download Joyn from Google Play.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS to use T-Mobile to expand nationally

November 9th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Since T-Mobile is a more nationally known brand than MetroPCS, it sounded as though the merger between the two companies would mean the end for the latter brand. Given recent comments from a MetroPCS executive, though, that does not seem to be the case. CFO Braxton Carter said that MetroPCS will use the new network space from T-Mobile to expand into markets it does not currently occupy. This presents a number of issues, of course, but it also makes a degree of sense, given how both carriers operate.

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MetroPCS adds messaging, video chat services for Android

November 1st, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Yesterday MetroPCS released a suite of communications services, dubbed Joyn. These include a messaging service similar to BlackBerry Messenger and iMessage, a video chat service akin to FaceTime, and a content sharing protocol. As with BBM and iMessage, MetroPCS’s message service will not count against a user’s SMS monthly total — though since MetroPCS offers unlimited SMS on all Android plans it seems to be a moot point. Users can also share videos, images, and files through this messaging service, much like BBM. Like native the native Android contact list, which indicates whether contacts are signed into Google Talk, Joyn will let MetroPCS customers know which of their contacts are currently connected to Joyn. While this service will be rolled out on a more widespread basis in the future, is is currently only available to MetroPCS users with the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G, which is available on MetroPCS’s website for $130.

Via The Verge.

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MetroPCS loses customers, adds to LTE

October 31st, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

It’s usually not good news when a cellular provider loses customers in any given quarter. Yet the news that MetroPCS lost more than 300,000 subscribers in the third quarter actually boosted its standing. The reason: 4G LTE services. While Metro’s subscriber numbers dipped to 8.9 million, they now boast 1 million of them using 4G LTE services. LTE users provide a higher ARPU for the company, meaning it reported higher net income numbers than the third quarter of 2011. As we learned during the third quarter, T-Mobile has made a bid to acquire MetropCS, though Softbank, which will acquire a significant stake in Sprint, could be poised to make a counteroffer. Given its shift towards more profitable LTE customers, it’s no wonder why MetroPCS is in demand.

Via CNET.

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Huawei Verge hits MetroPCS

October 24th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

MetroPCS has released a new feature phone, amid its flurry of Android smartphone additions. The Huawei Verge is a basic candybar phone, featuring a 2.4-inch color screen. As with most feature phones these days, there’s really not much to advertise. It gets the basic talk and text jobs done well enough, and fits well with Metro’s cheaper $40 and $45 3G plans. The Verge is available now for $50 on MetroPCS’s website.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS adds Google Wallet along with Galaxy S III

October 23rd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    4 Comments

The big news of last week was MetroPCS announcing the availability of the Samsung Galaxy S III. Customers can buy one right now for $500. That might seem steep, but it’s $100 cheaper than it costs off-contract with carriers such as Verizon. One of the Galaxy S III’s big features is NFC, or Near-Field Communications. Among other features, it allows users to take advantage of mobile payment options. MetroPCS customers will get a chance to try that out: Google has announced that MetroPCS will support Google Wallet, joining Sprint. Galaxy S III customers with MetroPCS can download Google Wallet at Google Play.

Via The Verge.

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Samsung Galaxy S III lands with MetroPCS

October 19th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

We’ve known for a while that MetroPCS would eventually offer the Samsung Galaxy S III, one of the hottest smartphones on the planet. Today they announced that it will become available this Monday, October 22. It’s no different than any other Galaxy S III model on major carriers, and even runs on MetroPCS’s LTE network. It will cost $500, though, which is just slightly less than the off-contract price at major carriers. Again, it is available on October 22 at MetroPCS retailers and on MetroPCS’s website.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS offers $30 LTE plan for in-store purchases

October 15th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

This won’t help much for people who want to buy online, nor will it help existing MetroPCS customers. But the company is offering a new promotion for new customers who purchase at a retail outlet: a $30 LTE plan. It comes with the standard unlimited talk, text, and data that Metro offers with all of its plans. LTE data is capped at 250MB, at which time customers will be reverted to 1x CDMA speeds (which are terribly slow). The only way existing customers can take advantage is if they activate a new LTE smartphone. The only catch is that there is a $10 fee associated with activation for this plan. It is available now at MetroPCS retail outlets.

Via FierceWireless.

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Sprint won’t make bid for MetroPCS right now

October 11th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Just a quick update: We heard last weekend that Sprint could make a bid for MetroPCS to counter the one made by T-Mobile. As it turns off, they’ll pass on that for now. That doesn’t meant they’ll just let the deal happen. They have a few months before the MetroPCS board votes on the deal, so they can wait for further information to surface. In essence, they’ve tabled the issue. We can be sure to hear more about Sprint’s involvement with this deal in a few months.

Via Bloomberg.

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Samsung Contour 2 now available from MetroPCS

October 8th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

While it might seem like everyone on MetroPCS uses an Android smartphone, that’s far from the case. Some choose to take advantage of Metro’s cheap unlimited talk and text plans and use basic phones, saving big time over large contract carriers. The Samsung Countour 2 is the latest addition ot that handset. It has all the basics of a flip phone, including color external and internal screens, a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and mobile web. The Contour 2 is available at MetroPCS’s website for $59, and pairs well with the $40 monthly plan.

Via Phone Scoop.

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Sprint could make things interesting, make bid for MetroPCS

October 5th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Just because the T-Mobile and MetroPCS boards have signed off on a deal doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen. As we saw with the failed AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile, a number of obstacles can stand in the way. But it might not be the government regulators that stand in the way of this deal. It might be another interested party. A recent report suggests that Sprint is mulling its own offer for MetroPCS, presumably trumping the T-Mobile offer in significant ways. One thing that could stand in the way: the break-up fee in the T-Mobile/MetroPCS deal. If T-Mobile backs out it must pay MetroPCS $250 million, with a $150 million fee if Metro backs out. We could hear more about this as early as next week.

Via Bloomberg.

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Casualty of T-Mobile/MetroPCS merger: CDMA

October 4th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

It comes as little surprise that T-Mobile and MetroPCS will try to consolidate network technologies as completely as possible. The last time two incompatible networks combined we got the Sprint-Nextel debacle. A big part of this plan: getting everyone off MetroPCS’s CDMA network by the end of 2015. Ideally they’d probably like to get that done ahead of schedule. Not only does it make for a single carrier operating too many cellular technologies, but it’s also a long-outdated network. It runs on 1x, far behind even the EVDO standard. The ability to switch to T-Mobile’s GSM handsets could also help, though there will eventually be plans in place to sunset that network, too. It’s an LTE future.

Via PC Mag.

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T-Mobile and MetroPCS talking merger

October 3rd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

Update: Both boards have approved the merger. It will actually be MetroPCS doing the acquiring, though they will only own 26 percent of the new entity. They’ll lose the name, too, as the new company will be called T-Mobile. According to the press release, found via Phone Scoop, MetroPCS plans will “complement T-Mobile’s offerings” in some areas, so it’s still unclear how they’ll proceed in terms of postpaid and prepaid. There will be plenty of details to come about in the next few months, as we await approval from government regulators.

Of all the potential suitors to acquire MetroPCS, T-Mobile seemed the least likely. Sprint is larger and has a greater need to beef up operations, while Dish Network could use MetroPCS to launch a cellular network with instant subscribers. Yet according to a recent report, T-Mobile is indeed the company with the strongest indication towards acquiring or merging with MetroPCS. Ina Fried at All Things D has the report.

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Talks of MetroPCS acquisition renewed

October 1st, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    5 Comments

It’s going to happen at some point. Whether it happens in the next few months is really the only question at this point. We’ve known for years that MetroPCS would change forms in some way or another. Back in 2007 we thought they’d merge with Cricket and form a fuller national carrier. Those days seem to have passed, though. More recent reports surrounding MetroPCS involve them being acquired by a larger company. We already heard earlier this year that Sprint nearly acquired MetroPCS, and word is that they’re back in the hunt. But there are others at play, and that could cause some changes atop the wireless world.

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MetroPCS puts Galaxy S III front and center

September 27th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

We have known it for over a month now: MetroPCS is going to get the Samsung Galaxy S III. They’ve gotten the ball rolling this week, adding some details about the launch to their home page. There aren’t many, unfortunately, other than MetroPCs will release it sometime next month. They’re also holding a contest to win a free S III. All you have to do is hand over some standard personal information to MetroPCS and you’ll get your chance. Otherwise you’ll have to wait until the release date, whenever it happens to be next month.

Via Unwired View.

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MetroPCS adds BlackBerry-like Huawei Pinnacle 2

September 26th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

It’s not an Android handset, but MetroPCS has added a new handset. The Huawei Pinnacle 2 is a messaging-centric device with its QWERTY keyboard, BlackBerry-style. Other than that it’s not a very remarkable new phone, though it does come with the basics such as GPS and a media player. You can also access email on it, though clearly not through the advanced channels that smartphones offer. You can get the Pinnacle 2 at MetroPCS’s website for $59.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS announces ZTE Anthem 4G, nears 1 million LTE subscribers

September 21st, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

MetroPCS announced another 4G LTE Android handset, the ZTE Anthem. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like a very good one. It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, though its 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor suggests it could handle 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Perhaps there will be an upgrade, but that’s the issue with phones running older versions: you never know if it’s getting the upgrade. We first heard about the ZTE Anthem along with MetroPCS’s fall lineup. The only one left is the Samsung Galaxy S III, which is pretty exciting. As for the Anthem, it will cost $219 after mail-in rebate, which seems a bit steep for a handset of its caliber.

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MetroPCS working on adding Windows Phone 8 devices

September 4th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

We welcome you back from Labor Day weekend with a tidbit from Tom Keys, COO of MetroPCS. In an interview with Phil Goldstein of FierceWireless, Keys goes over many company talking points. One thing he does reveal: they’re working on bringing Windows Phone 8 into the fold. It does seem that Metro is trying to spread itself as widely as possible, offering a range of handsets that can satisfy large swaths of the wireless market. We’ll see what they have in store.

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MetroPCS releases Coolpad Quattro 4G

August 29th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

As promised, MetroPCS has kept the string of 4G LTE devices coming. The latest is the Coolpad Quattro 4G, a device we saw earlier this month on their roadmap. It’s pretty low-end for modern LTE smartphones, featuring a 1GHz processor, 3.2-megapixel camera, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Still, the price isn’t all bad, $149.99. You can get it for $100, thanks to a $50 mail-in rebate on the purchase of two 4G LTE devices. You can get the Quattro at MetroPCS stores or on MetroPCS’s website.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS shows off its previously leaked fall lineup

August 22nd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

It appears that MetroPCS was in a sharing mood yesterday. We already wrote about the LG Motion 4G launch along with the $55 monthly LTE plan. But that wasn’t all Metro shared. At a press event in New York they showed some promo material for its fall lineup, which we learned about earlier this month. They are, indeed, testing the Samsung Galaxy S III, which is pretty big for them. They also mentioned a smaller Samsung Galaxy, along with the Coolpad Quattro 4G and the ZTE Anthem 4G. The other two devices mentioned in the original rumor, the Lightray 4G and the Motion 4G, have both been released.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS lands LG Motion 4G and adds promotional 4G LTE monthly plan

August 21st, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

We heard a month ago that MetroPCS would get the LG Motion 4G. Today they delivered on the goods, introducing the Android handset. It runs Android 4.0, which is a step up from the other MetroPCS Android smartphones running Android 2.3. It also has an iPhone-sized 3.5-inch touchscreen and a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, so it’s certainly a cut above for MetroPCS. It will cost $149 plus tax, and will be available at MetroPCS’s website later this week.

MetroPCS also made a couple of plan and promotion announcements to go along with the LG Motion 4G launch.

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MetroPCS starts small with voice over LTE

August 8th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    2 Comments

Is being first such a big deal? Apparently MetroPCS believes so. Yesterday they issued a press release praising themselves for being the first carrier to introduce voice over LTE services. It was complete with puffed-up quotes from MetroPCS CEO Roger Linquist, speaking of his company’s “innovative spirit and passion to achieve goals that will have long-term benefit for our customers and for the company.” Yet that overstates the scope of Metro’s voice over LTE debut: it is available at one store and on one handset. In this case, being first means very little.

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MetroPCS launches Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G

August 3rd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    2 Comments

We kicked off the week with a story about the Galaxy S Lightray 4G, which was slated to hit MetroPCS in mid-August. It appears they have pushed up that timeline, as they announced the availability of the Lightray this morning. To refresh, it’s an Android 2.3 device with a 1GHz processor and, of course, MetroPCS’s 4G LTE speeds (in available markets). It adds another twist, though, with Dyle Mobile TV. The service provides live access to local TV stations. Apparently this requires an antenna, which is a nice little throwback. The Lightray 4G is available for $459 at MetroPCS’s website.

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Rumor: MetroPCS getting Galaxy S3, other Androids this year

August 1st, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

According to an Android Forums user, who claims to work in MetroPCS‘s corporate office, we could see a number of 4G LTE handsets launch on MetroPCS before year’s end. Of course, we already knew that Metro planned to launch a number of them. But that was just a vague idea. Now we have specific handset names, along with rough release dates. After the jump we’ll get down to it.

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MetroPCS getting Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G

July 30th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

It appears another 4G LTE device will make its way to MetroPCS in the near future. Last week we heard that they will get the LG Motion 4G. Now, via Phone Arena, we learn that they also have the Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G on tap. The folks at Phone Arena liken it to the Samsung DROID Charge, which hit Verizon more than a year ago. There’s some good news in that, since it means a process or greater than 1GHz and a Super AMOLED 4.3-inch screen. That is to say, it will be one of the higher-end smartphones that MetroPCS carries. It looks like it’s just a couple of weeks away, so we’ll hear something more official soon enough.

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MetroPCS loses 186,000 subscribers in Q2

July 26th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

MetroPCS lost 186,000 subscribers in the second quarter, but apparently that isn’t quite bad news. Analysts expected them to lose about that many, so it wasn’t a point of contention on their quarterly report. MetroPCS’s stock price actually went up, because their earnings, despite the lost customers, beat expectations. That’s the name of the game, I guess. In any case, the subscriber loss was a huge swing from the second quarter last year, when Metro added nearly 200,000 subscribers.

Via Bloomberg.

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MetroPCS rumored to get LG Motion 4G

July 24th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

That slab-looking device pictured above is the LG Motion 4G, and given the branding on the back it appears it’s headed to MetroPCS. The name gives away its status as an LTE handset. Additional details include a 960×540 pixel screen, which is actually pretty decent by prepaid smartphone standards. It also runs Android 4.0, which is still a rarity for prepaid phones. Then again, Android 4.0 has been slow to roll out in general. There is no pricing or release date mentioned, but MetroPCS has been talking about cheap LTE handset later in the year. Given the basic design and mid-level specs of this one, could it perhaps fall in the $150 range?

Via PhoneDog.

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MetroPCS launches Huawei Activa 4G

June 8th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

There’s a new 4G LTE Android handset headed to MetroPCS. It’s the Huawei Actvia 4G, which is apparently the first Huawei LTE phone in the States. It’s nothing special, running Android 2.3 (when 4.0 has been out for half a year) on a 3.5-inch screen. The processor is a bit under snuff at 800MHz, but hey, for the price it’s right. It’ll cost you $149 after rebate. You can pick one up at MetroPCS’s website.

Via PhoneScoop.

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MetroPCS will tap lesser known sources for LTE devices

May 18th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Speaking at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom conference, MetroPCS COO Tom Keys, unsurprisingly, talked about his company’s LTE plans. We know that they plan to cover more and more people by the end of the year, so it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. What he did mention, though, was the company’s plans for low-cost LTE devices. While a model from LG — featuring a 1.2GHz processor — comes as no surprise, the one from Yulong does. That’s mainly because Yulong is an unknown brand in the US. The phone doesn’t sound like anything special, 1GHz with a 4-inch screen, but it does signal that MetroPCS will look under every rock for low-cost LTE phones for its customers. We should see these sometime in the second half of this year. Unsurprisingly, though, Metro also said it would allow unlocked LTE iPhones to operate on its network. The iPhone 5, rumored for a 2012 release, figures to feature LTE connectivity.

Via FierceWireless and Phone Scoop.

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T-Mobile talking merger with MetroPCS

May 10th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

It seems that something is going to give soon in the wireless industry. Last year we nearly saw a merger between AT&T and T-Mobile, which would have created the largest wireless carrier in the nation by no small margin. Soon after that deal fell apart, we learned that Sprint had nearled acquired MetroPCS. That, of course, fell apart as well. Now we have a new report: Deutsche Telekom, parent company of T-Mobile USA, is in talks to merge with MetroPCS. Deutsche Telekom would own the new venture, but it would be listed publicly; T-Mobile USA is currently not listed on any stock exchange. We’ve heard plenty of these merger rumors before, but have seen little actual movement. It appears T-Mobile is considering other options as well, including an initial public offering, sale, or merger with a larger carrier such as Sprint.

Via BusinessWeek.

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Huawei M660 Android smartphone could be headed for MetroPCS

May 8th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    2 Comments

Pictured above is the Huawei M660, an Android 2.3 handset that appears to be headed for MetroPCS. The evidence is Bluetooth certification, and that usually means the phone isn’t far from a release. As you can see, it’s a hybrid QWERTY-touchscreen device, featuring a 3.2-inch screen. It runs Android 2.3, which continues to be a shame. Again, we have no official information on a release date or price, but figure it will come out at some point this summer at a price point around $100. It does not appear to be an LTE handset.

Via Unwired View.

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MetroPCS misses subscriber estimates, but optimism abounds

April 27th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

Whenever you see that a company misses anything in its quarterly statement, it always causes concern. Yet for MetroPCS there is plenty of hope amid their disappointing first quarter. They added just 132,000 subscribers from January through March, which is not only down significantly from the 726,000 they added a year ago, but also considerably lower than their target of between 236,000 and 400,000 adds. Other carriers did struggled with new subscriber additions in the last quarter, but MetroPCS’s was a bit worse than the norm. Yet there were some positive notes during the earnings call.

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MetroPCS launches LG Optimus M+

April 23rd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

It took about a month’s turnaround time for the LG Optimus M+ to go from rumor to release. The mid-range Android handset, which features an 800MHz processor and a 3.5-inch screen that tops its predecessor, is now available from MetroPCS. It’s more of a value model than anything, much like the original Optimus M. Unfortunately, it still runs Android Gingerbread 2.3, and it’s unlikely we’ll see it receive an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. But it is available now, for $129, at MetroPCS’s website.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS introduces $25 talk and text plan

April 12th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

With such a great emphasis on smartphones and data services, it seems the market for plain old talk and text unlimited plans has waned a bit. Apparently MetroPCS sees an opportunity there. They’ve launched a new plan that offers unlimited minutes and text messages for just $25 per month. It is compatible with just three handsets — the Huawei Pinnacle, Kyocera Presto, and Samsung Freeform III. That works, since these phones aren’t exactly primed for data usage, anyway. The plan is available for only a limited time: through June 30th currently, though that could change depending on demand. You can sign up for the $25 plan at MetroPCS’s website.

Via FierceWireless.

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MetroPCS discontinues MetroFlash program.

April 11th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    3 Comments

Nearly four years ago, MetroPCS introduced something that at the time was pretty revolutionary. With a program dubbed MetroFlash, they would take your existing CMDA phone and make it compatible with the MetroPCS network. For $30 users could take any non-AWS phone in and use it with MetroPCS. This worked at the time, because Metro had a pretty thin handset lineup. But times have changed over the last four years, and it no longer makes as much sense for Metro to carry such a service.

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MetroPCS makes changes to 4G LTE plans

April 2nd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    3 Comments

On Friday afternoon PhoneNews.com posted information they obtained regarding changes to MetroPCS‘s 4G LTE plans. The changes will reportedly go into effect today, though the MetroPCS website does not yet reflect them. There will be four tiers of 4G LTE plans, and Metro has changed the way they work a little. Instead of limiting features such as streaming video on some of the lower-tiered plans, Metro has simply created 4G data caps. After customers exceed their 4G allotment, they’ll then revert to 1x or 3G signal, depending on their network.

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MetroPCS looking at cheap LTE handsets

March 28th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Last year, the first full year that MetroPCS operated an LTE network, they claimed that the best was yet to come. While they offered a few LTE handsets, their lineup was mostly bare. They said that’s because cost-effective LTE handsets wouldn’t become readily available until the second half of 2012. It appears that they’re ready to make good on that claim. Speaking at a conference yesterday, MetroPCS’s Keith Terreri covered a number of issues related to LTE. Of LTE handsets, Terreri said that the company is working with five manufacturers to provide smartphones in the $99 to $149 range, which is a sweet spot for MetroPCS customers. More after the jump.

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LG Optimus M+ hitting MetroPCS

March 22nd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    1 Comment

It wasn’t too long ago that MetroPCS released the LG Optimus M Android handset. It was a pretty basic handset, and one that LG had released across almost every U.S. wireless carrier. Now they’re back with an upgraded model, the Optimus M+, and it’s coming to MetroPCS shortly. The upgrades come mostly from the processor, 800MHz now, screen, 3.5 inches, and display quality — 256,000 colors, up from 64,000. It also has a better camera. Unfortunately, this one will be rocking Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Given the specs, it’s unlikely it will get a 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade.

Via Pocket Now.

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MetroPCS picks up ZTE Score M

March 19th, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    No Comments

Over the weekend MetroPCS started offering the ZTE Score M, a relatively low-end Android handset. You might recognize the handset, since Cricket released it last September. It features a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a 600MHz processor, and it runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The low-end handset comes with a low-end price point as well: $79. Of course, since MetroPCS is offering a $30 mail-in rebate in March, you can get it for $49. It’s available at stores and on MetroPCS’s website.

Via Phone Scoop.

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MetroPCS gets LG Connect

March 2nd, 2012   |    MetroPCS   |    3 Comments

We’ve known since CES 2012 that MetroPCS was going to get the LG Connect 4G. That day has finally come. It’s Metro’s highest-end Android handset to date, featuring a 1.2GHz processor and a 5-inch screen. It does run Android 2.4 Gingerbread, but plenty of existing phones will get upgraded to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich this year. The Connect could certainly rank among them. It will run you $349, but thanks to MetroPCS’s $30 mail-in rebate promotion you can get it for a net price of $319. It’s available in stores and at MetroPCS’s website.

Via Unwired View.

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