Pre3 on T-Mobile's new $30 4G plan

[bmacfarland]

As a CDMA guy, I'm not as familiar with GSM bands and all that. I see there's a lot of talk about getting H+ ATT and something below it on H20 Wireless.

I noticed today that T-Mobile is offering a new 4G plan for $30 (Monthly4G Prepaid Plans | Prepaid Data Plans | T-Mobile) that seems to be HSPA+. Press release here: Walmart and T-Mobile Introduce Exclusive No-Annual Contract 4G Offering - MarketWatch

It has 100 minutes (which is pretty low, but not bad for me as I don't use a lot of talk) and "Unlimited" (*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds) data.

I thought I'd get people's thoughts. I hear that T-mobile only had Edge speeds, but if it says HSPA+ and the ATT is HSPA+ it's the same thing right?

[matteebee13]

I'll be watching this thread. At $30 it might just be worth a try...

[FenrirWolf]

It depends on the frequencies T-Mobile uses. Their 3G bands are different so I wouldn't count on their HSPA+ bands being the same either.

[stu5797]

I plan on doing this if i get a pre 3. There is no contract so worst case your out 30. Im assuming edge data

[c_legaspi]

edge is all your going to get. No hspa+, no 3g

[stu5797]

How do u buy this plan? I don't think it's available yet

[bmacfarland]

Originally Posted by FenrirWolf

It depends on the frequencies T-Mobile uses. Their 3G bands are different so I wouldn't count on their HSPA+ bands being the same either.

Is there a clear list of which bands are supported by which networks, and which bands the Pre3 needs for the fastest speeds.

I've been looking on Wikipedia and there's a list of MVNOs and bands - List of United States mobile virtual network operators - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

However, none of them look to be 4G. The highest is UMTS 3G. Also the Pre3 on Wikipedia is only listed as working with 3G networks - HP Pre 3 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The best I can make out is that I "might" be looking for a network with a UMTS 1900 band.

[Cantaffordit]

tmobile will only give you EDGE speeds when using an at&t phone. Sorry.

[myDrpC]

Originally Posted by bmacfarland

As a CDMA guy, I'm not as familiar with GSM bands and all that. I see there's a lot of talk about getting H+ ATT and something below it on H20 Wireless.

I noticed today that T-Mobile is offering a new 4G plan for $30 (Monthly4G Prepaid Plans | Prepaid Data Plans | T-Mobile) that seems to be HSPA+. Press release here: Walmart and T-Mobile Introduce Exclusive No-Annual Contract 4G Offering - MarketWatch

It has 100 minutes (which is pretty low, but not bad for me as I don't use a lot of talk) and "Unlimited" (*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds) data.

I thought I'd get people's thoughts. I hear that T-mobile only had Edge speeds, but if it says HSPA+ and the ATT is HSPA+ it's the same thing right?

Unfortunately, I don't believe we can get it.
I called T-Mobile this morning inquiring about this plan and was told that only phones purchased thru Wal-Mart (maybe only new customers) are eligible for the 30 unlimited plan.

But, to offset this T-Mobile has added the following new plans starting today:


$3/day
Unlimited Talk
Unlimited Text
Unlimited Web**
**First 200 MB per day at up to 4G speed


$2/day
Unlimited Talk
Unlimited Text
Unlimited Web*
*2G speed


$60/month
Unlimited Talk
Unlimited Text
Unlimited Web**
**First 2GB at up to 4G speeds

[matteebee13]

I think if you buy a cheap crapola tmobile $10 phone you can use the SIM card from it on the $60 plan. Don't know if it has to be web capable or not.

[stu5797]

You have to buy at walmart... Can't buy through tmobile

[matteebee13]

Originally Posted by stu5797

You have to buy at walmart... Can't buy through tmobile

That's what I meant, sorry.

[stu5797]

Anyone successful yet?

[LCGuy]

I'm using an unlocked ATT Pre 3 on T-Mobile in the NY area (where there is pretty good coverage).

EDGE (2.5G) only, sorry.

The frequencies provided in the Pre 3 arent the same as T-Mobiles HSPA/+ frequencies.

If the merger goes through, however, that may change (along with an excrutiating price hike, after your T-Mobile contract is over).



PS, EDGE in NY is fine. Not great, but more than adequate for casual browsing, when wifi isnt available.

[Sapient2k7]

Just activated my veer on this account. $32.3 per month for 100 min of calls and unlimited data and text. I will move the sim to my pre 3 later and see how it is doing.

I used a tmobile sim+ activation that I had bought on ebay. this $30 deal is a web Only offer, the walmart in my area had no knowledge of this deal.

[matteebee13]

Originally Posted by LCGuy

I'm using an unlocked ATT Pre 3 on T-Mobile in the NY area (where there is pretty good coverage).

EDGE (2.5G) only, sorry.

The frequencies provided in the Pre 3 arent the same as T-Mobiles HSPA/+ frequencies.

If the merger goes through, however, that may change (along with an excrutiating price hike, after your T-Mobile contract is over).



PS, EDGE in NY is fine. Not great, but more than adequate for casual browsing, when wifi isnt available.

Have you tried this "4G" Walmart SIM card yet?

[Sapient2k7]

Originally Posted by matteebee13

That's what I meant, sorry.

This is a web Only offer at tmobile. Walmart supercenter in raleigh had no knowledge of this deal.

[Sapient2k7]

Monthly4G Prepaid Plans | Prepaid Data Plans | T-Mobile

$30 WEB ONLY
100 minutes
Unlimited text
Unlimited* data
*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds

[shadeybeep]

Tmobile uses a different 3G band than anyone else (tmobile uses 1700, everyone else uses 1900 in the US), so I'm guessing their 4G band is different too. What bands does the Pre3 use?

[hkgolden1988]

I heard some say T-Mobile requires phones that take BOTH 1700 and 2100 UMTS then the phone will get on 3G/4G network. Is that true?