T-Mobile

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At a Glance

Average user rating: 6.9 Good
The bottom line: T-Mobile offers competitively priced plans and extensive international roaming.

CNET editors' take

Reviewed by: Kent German
Reviewed on 2/20/07

Editor's 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.

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.

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.
3G high-speed data network still in development but it should launch a preliminary network in 2008.

Fast facts:

Subscribers: 28.7 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
3G network: No (scheduled rollout for 2008)
Streaming video service: No
Music download service: No
Push-to-talk: No
Analog roaming: No
Prepay plans: Yes
Family plans: Yes

	AT&T	T-Mobile	Sprint Nextel	Verizon Wireless
Coverage map	AT&T coverage map	T-Mobile coverage map	Sprint Nextel coverage map	Verizon Wireless coverage map
Technology	GSM; GPRS; EDGE	GSM; GPRS: EDGE	CDMA; 1xRTT; iDEN	CDMA; 1xRTT
3G network	Yes, UMTS, EV-DO	No (coming in 2007)	Yes, EV-DO	Yes, EV-DO
Data plans	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streaming video network	Yes, AT&T Video	No	Yes, Sprint Power Vision	Yes, Verizon V Cast
Music download service	Yes, AT&T Music	No	Yes, Sprint Music Store	Yes, V Cast Wireless Music
Push-to-Talk	Available, depending on phone model	No	Available, depending on phone model	Available, depending on phone model
Analog roaming	No	No	Yes	Yes
Prepay plans	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Family plans	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

	U.S. Cellular	Alltel	MetroPCS
Coverage map	U.S. Cellular coverage map	Alltel coverage map	MetroPCS coverage map
Technology	CDMA; 1xRTT	CDMA; 1xRTT	CDMA; 1xRTT
3G network	No	Yes, EV-DO	No
Data plans	Yes	Yes	No
Streaming video network	No	Yes	No
Music download service	No	No	No
Push-to-Talk	Available, depending on phone model	Available, depending on phone model	No
Analog roaming	Yes	Yes	Yes
Prepay plans	Yes	Yes	No
Family plans	Yes	Yes	No

Buying choices

for T-Mobile from online stores:

Please see CNET's Cell phone plan finder to purchase a phone with T-Mobile service.

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