MetroPCS 4G LTE now unlimited only for $70 plan; all other users will be throttled

April 3, 2012 | by Andrew Kameka

MetroPCS, famous for its flat rates and plan simplicity, is following the approach of larger carriers and showing that “unlimited” isn’t always unlimited. Now, the only way for customers to truly get unlimited access to its LTE network will be to upgrade to a $70 per month.

FierceWireless notes that the newly-installed data plans set up tiers that customers can choose, similar to the system set-up by AT&T and Verizon. However, the choices aren’t exactly very appealing in comparison to the larger carriers. At the moment, I pay Verizon $30 for 4GB of data (it would be 2GB if I didn’t sign-up during the double-data promotion).

Here’s what MetroPCS charges:

$40 for 250 MB at 4G LTE speeds (speeds throttled after exceeding cap)
$50 for 2.5 GB at 4G LTE speeds (speeds throttled after exceeding cap)
$60 for 5GB at 4G LTE w/ Rhapsody subscription (speeds throttled after exceeding cap)
$70 unlimited data with MetroSTUDIO Video on Demand.

For some MetroPCS customers, this won’t matter much because the previous plans prevented them from accessing some content when they reached their data cap (MetroPCS counts video or music streaming differently than web browsing.) The new throttling plan makes it possible to continue accessing the full web, but at a reduced speed.

MetroPCS has LTE service in 14 markets, and its network is slower, smaller, and less cost effective than AT&T and Verizon. However, MetroPCS’s calling plans are cheaper, which has helped the company attract subscribers. Building out an LTE network is expensive, and following Sprint’s failed attempt at acquiring the company, MetroPCS can’t has to adjust the way it does business if it hopes to continue attracting and retaining customers.

4G LTE, data plans, LTE, MetroPCS, unlimited data

3 Comments

MetroPCS Customer said: On April 15, 2012

-1 customer

for $70/mnth u can get a real carrier with legitimate speeds and better phones with unlimmited real fast blazing net. The whole point of putting up with the slow internet was becuase it was cheaper… you continue to offer crap but now you want to double in price to what your competitors charge and then you expect us to stay on your slower network when we can switch get better phones and true faster blazing speeds? This is the biggest mistake anyone at metroPCS has ever made who ever had this nasty idea needs to be fired right away.

-1 Customer

- dose rox said: On April 25, 2012
  
  AMEN!!!
  
Tossy said: On January 4, 2013

I still like the plan because I am not stuck in a 2 year commitment and if I can’t make a payment on time i don’t get penalized for it.

Android Apps and News

Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and Unpacked 2013

Diztronic case review for LG Nexus 4

Why I decided to purchase the Nexus 4

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Verizon Remix Version

HTC DROID DNA Review

Samsung Galaxy Note II Review

Carriers