MetroPCS

Network: MetroPCS (voice roaming on many other unlimited providers’ networks is free, see site for more details, full network coverage not available with dual-band phones)

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Phone reviews: Coming Soon!

Website: www.metropcs.com
Customer Service: 1-888-863-8768

Claim to fame: Unlimited service, ranging from local calls to local, long distance, texting, picture messaging, internet and much more. Available on phones ranging from inexpensive basic models to Blackberry and touch-screen units. All for $50 per month or less. Even when you’re off-network, texting is just as unlimited as on-network, and even voice roaming is inexpensive.

Standout features: Unlimited voice, text, MMS, data, off-network roaming for free or cheap, free roaming text if included in regular plan, instant messaging,  MapQuest Mobile (driving directions via phone), Loopt (GPS friend finder), Premium Directory Assistance (movie showtimes, weather reports and more, plus regular 411 duties), Screen-it (Caller ID with Name, even if the name isn’t stored in your cell phone’s address book), E-mail, Pocket Express (on-phone news and quick information), MetroNavigator (GPS-powered navigation and information)

Pros: Unlimited service, great phone selection, high-end phones like the BlackBerry Curve, good network with roaming coverage where needed, unlimited text plan includes roaming areas, tons of extra features available (comparable to or better than contract phones)

Cons: Regional network (some areas have roaming charges), expensive phones (particularly high-end models), no high-speed network, lower-end plans have very few features

Good for: Heavy talkers who stay in urban areas (MetroPCS’s specialty) and who want to do everything with their phone with no contract. Anyone wanting a high-end phone at a low-end monthly price.

PLAN SELECTION (monthly costs, updated)
$30 – Unlimited local calling, Caller ID, Call Waiting
$35 - $30 plan plus unlimited long distance, unlimited text messaging for $3 per month more, unlimited Screen-it for $2 per month more
$40 – $35 plan plus 3-Way Calling, unlimited talk in extended coverage areas, voice mail, domestic text/picture messaging, web access, ChatLINK (push talk, compatible phone required)
$45 – $40 plan plus unlimited international text messaging, IM, Metro411 premium directory assistance, Loopt, Screen-it, Email Access, pocket Express, MetroNavigator
$50 – $45 plan plus unlimited HTML web browsing and Enterprise Email (smartphones only)

Family plan – $5 off additional lines, no plan restrictions (recent change)

Additional Features (unavailable on $30 plan unless stated ottherwise)
Unlimited international calling – $5 ($45 and $50 plans only)
MetroBackup – $1
Unlimited directory assistance – $2
Ringback Tones – 2 for $5
Realtones – 3 for $5
Unlimited call forwarding – $5
GroupLINE (simultaneous ring across multiple numbers) – $5 (available on $30 plan)

PHONE SELECTION
UTStarCom 7126M (Bluetooth flip phone) – $67.15
Kyocera Melo (bar phone) – $69 (blue white)
Samsung Byline (flip phone) – $69
Nokia 1006 (bar phone with Bluetooth) – $79
Motorola VE240 (music bar phone with Stereo Bluetooth and MicroSD expansion) – $89
Samsung r300 (dual-band flip phone) – $99
ZTE C78 (camera bar phone with music playback and Stereo Bluetooth) – $99
Samsung Tint (1.3 megapixel camera flip phone with Bluetooth) – $99
ZTE C79 (1.3 megapixel camera music phone with Stereo Bluetooth and MicroSD expansion) – $129
Kyocera Neo (camera flip phone with Bluetooth) – $139
Samsung Messager R450 (1.3 megapixel camera horizontal-slider messaging phone with music playback, MicroSD expansion, Stereo Bluetooth and QWERTY keyboard) – $169
Kyocera E2000 (Bluetooth .3 megapixel camera flip music phone with Stereo Bluetooth and MicroSD expansion) – $179
Motorola Hint (2 megapixel video-enabled camera slider messaging phone with music playback, MicroSD expansion, Stereo Bluetooth and QWERTY keyboard) – $229
Samsung Finesse (2-megapixel video-enabled camera “iPhone killer” with Stereo Bluetooth, music playback and MicroSD expansion) – $349
BlackBerry Curve 8330 (2-megapixel video-enabled camera dual-band smartphone with Stereo Bluetooth, music playback, MicroSD expansion and QWERTY keyboard) – $399
All phones have text messaging and speakerphone capability

Got a review or a question? Leave it in the comments!