Prepaid Reviews Blog » MetroPCS

Kyocera Laylo for MetroPCS just around the corner

Joe — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:33 +0000

MetroPCS is getting happy with the handsets lately. Yesterday we learned about two handsets that should be headed their way soon, the Motorola Quantico and the Huawei M228. In the latter post, we also learned of two other Huawei devices that could also hit Metro in the future. The latest in their lineup: the Kyocera Laylo. Photos were outed on Howard Forums. It’s a pretty basic slider, featuring a 320 x 240 pixel, 2.2 inch screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. It seems like we’re seeing a lot of this type of phone. Mid-level seems to be the place to be, if we’re assuming manufacturers are releasing devices based on consumer demand. There’s no word yet on pricing or availability.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Kyocera Laylo for MetroPCS just around the corner

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Kyocera Laylo for MetroPCS just around the corner

MetroPCS readying Huawei M228

Joe — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:00:27 +0000

It looks like MetroPCS is going to launch another handset from Huawei. The M750 touchscreen seems like a popular model, but the follow-up doesn’t look as impressive. The Huawei M228, found on Unwired View, looks like a basic candy bar model. The folks at Bluetooth.org, however, describe it as “a wireless terminal designed as a mobile office for the business persons.” So I’m interested to learn more, but we don’t have anything additional at the time.

In a bit of further good news, Unwired View outs two more Huawei models, a full-QWERTY and another touchscreen. They could easily hit Metro as well.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS readying Huawei M228

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS readying Huawei M228

MetroPCS adds just 66,000 subscribers in the third quarter

Joe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:38 +0000

What a difference a half year can make. MetroPCS blew up in the first quarter, adding 684,000 subscribers thanks to new markets in New York and Boston. Since then they’ve predictably leveled off, adding just 206,000 in the second quarter. They added far fewer in the third, just 66,000, down from 249,000 in the year-ago quarter. As with Cricket, churn was the problem for Metro. Theirs was at a staggering 5.8 percent, up a full percentage point from the third quarter 2008, though it was even with the second quarter of this year. Unlike Cricket, however, Metro saw a small uptick in ARPU. Still, that’s the average revenue per subscriber, and Metro didn’t add a lot of those in the third quarter.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS adds just 66,000 subscribers in the third quarter

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS adds just 66,000 subscribers in the third quarter

MetroPCS expands coverage in Florida

Joe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:01:41 +0000

MetroPCS has a pretty well-defined coverage area. They’re a regional carrier, and because spectrum isn’t readily available they’re limited in how they can expand. They added some markets with the 700 MHz auction, but other than that all they can do is continue expansion of their existing networks. They announced one such expansion today, moving into areas of northern Floriday> These markets include Gainesville, Ocala, Starke, Waldo, and Hawthorne. You can check out all of MetroPCS’s coverage area on their coverage map.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS expands coverage in Florida

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS expands coverage in Florida

MetroPCS upgrades $30 plan to include long distance, more

Joe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:08:07 +0000

Both Cricket and MetroPCS have been working to give their customers more. Instead of reducing the prices of their prepaid unlimited plans, over the summer they both added more features to their existing price points. This made their $40 offerings almost as attractive as the Boost Mobile unlimited plan. I got a heads up from Howard Forums that MetroPCS has improved their $30 prepaid plan, and upon visiting the site I see that’s the case. It’s $30 per month, and it offers an attractive package compared to other prepaid unlimited plans.

Previously, the $30 unlimited plan included only local calling. That matches the same plan with Cricket. Now they’ve added many features, including unlimited long distance, calling from any home MetroPCS network, and unlimited text messaging. The $30 plan actually has more features than the $35 plan, so Metro will likely either phase that out or alter the offering once the $30 plan gets off the ground.

MetroPCS is billing the $30 unlimited plan as a limited time offer. Here’s the text from their website:

Service only offered on a monthly basis. This $30 rate plan is a limited time offer and not available with MetroPCS family plan discount. Offer valid when sign up for new activation.

No word on how long the offer will last, or of what will happen to customers who have this plan once it expires.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS upgrades $30 plan to include long distance, more

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS upgrades $30 plan to include long distance, more

MetroPCS launches Huawei M750

Joe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:30:40 +0000

How long does it take a phone to go from FCC approval to a carrier’s shelf? That depends on the model, but for the Huawei M750, which we learned about in May, it has taken nearly six months. But, lookie lookie, the device has finally launched at MetroPCS.com. As we mentioned in May, the device features a touch screen with virtual keyboard, a 1.3 megapixel camera, MP3 player, and Bluetooth. It’s another unsubsidized model, of course, so be prepared to shell out for it: $199.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS launches Huawei M750

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS launches Huawei M750

Competition will force MetroPCS to make a move

Joe — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:30:01 +0000

Things looked bright for MetroPCS six months ago. They had added 684,000 subscribers on the strength of new markets in New York City and Boston. They then added a number of features, like their landline simulator and family plans. It seemed like they were ready to compete with the big boys, a sentiment strengthened by their LTE aspirations. Things aren’t looking as good now, though, as the company might not be able to survive without some big moves.

The problem for MetroPCS is that many other carriers, particularly prepaid, have mimicked their flat-rate, unlimited plans. Most notable is Boost Mobile, which outperformed MetroPCS with its own $50 unlimited plan. Metro since added features to its less expensive plans, but even then, Metro charges tax while Boost does not. The MetroPCS $40 plan comes to about the same as Boost’s plan. Even more competition has emerged lately, as T-Mobile has upgraded its FlexPay plans.

The solutions are obvious: acquire or sell. MetroPCS could revisit a merger with Leap Wireless, though there are no indications that either company considers that a viable option. They could otherwise sell to a larger competitor. The linked Bloomberg article mentions America Movil, owners of Tracfone, but immediately notes the downside. Companies that own networks require large investments to maintain them, and that is even more of a factor now because of the transition to 4G networks.

According to Matthew Niehaus of Battery Ventures, Metro could be forced to make a move within a year. Considering that time frame and the general environment, I’d say that if a move happens, it will involve Leap. It makes far more sense than any other option we’ve seen to date.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Competition will force MetroPCS to make a move

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Competition will force MetroPCS to make a move

Pricing, release date set for Samsung Code on MetroPCS

Joe — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:30:14 +0000

We first heard about the Samsung Code in August, and over a month and a half later finally have some further information. According to PhoneNews.com, the device will hit MetroPCS on October 20 for $299.99, minus a $50 mail-in rebate. The $250 price tag is still a bit expensive, but it certainly represents a subsidy of some kind. As PhoneNews’s Humberto Saabedra notes, the cost is $235 per unit, so the subsidy certainly goes beyond the mail-in rebate. As a refresher, it’s a basic QWERTY model, featuring a 2.0 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, and Bluetooth. As pictured, it should run Windows Mobile.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Pricing, release date set for Samsung Code on MetroPCS

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Pricing, release date set for Samsung Code on MetroPCS

Bytemobile to improve MetroPCS Web experience

Joe — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:38:42 +0000

MetroPCS has contracted Bytemobile to improve its MetroWEB service. That’s the substance of the linked press release, which mentions “data optimization and content adaptation solutions.” In plain English, it means they’ll make it better. This will help MetroPCS manage an increased flow of mobile Web traffic, plus make better their already existing content options. So, while terms like optimization and adaptation solutions might sound fancy, in the end, they just mean better.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Bytemobile to improve MetroPCS Web experience

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

Bytemobile to improve MetroPCS Web experience

MetroPCS pushing Motorola with mail-in rebates

Joe — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:18 +0000

It looks like MetroPCS is promoting a couple of their Motorola phones by offering mail-in rebates. The Motorola VE440, recently released, now comes with a $30 rebate, and the Motorola Hint comes with a $50 rebate. You can check out these models on the MetroPCS website.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS pushing Motorola with mail-in rebates

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for NET 10 Prepaid information on the web!

MetroPCS pushing Motorola with mail-in rebates