MetroPCS’ continued integration into T-Mobile US continued today as the carrier said it has begun offering a version of Samsung’s Galaxy S4 smartphone compatible with T-Mobile US’ HSPA/LTE-based network and not with MetroPCS’ legacy CDMA operations.
The device is the exact model already offered by T-Mobile US, but will now be available to through MetroPCS retail locations and with MetroPCS’ unlimited rate plans. The carrier said the device will be available beginning today for $550 in markets where network integration between the carriers has been completed, including Atlanta; Harford, Conn.; Philadelphia; Boston; Las Vegas; San Francisco; Dallas-Ft. Worth; and New York.
T-Mobile US announced in May that it planned to aggressively move to integrate network operations between the carriers, allowing MetroPCS customers to tap into T-Mobile US’ increased coverage and handset selection. T-Mobile US has said that it will continue supporting the MetroPCS brand, with plans to further integrate the network capabilities leading to 100 million more potential customers covered by MetroPCS services over the next six quarters. MetroPCS covered just over 100 million pops prior to its merger with T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile US said it expects all of MetroPCS customers to be transitioned to the new device portfolio by the end of 2015.
The devices that remain out of reach for MetroPCS customers is Apple’s iPhone product line, which T-Mobile US itself only began to offer earlier this year. Many of MetroPCS’ rivals in the no-contract, unlimited service offering space have begun offering Apple’s products at various price points.
RCR Wireless News spoke with Weston Henderek, principal analyst of consumer services at Current Analysis following the deal’s completion about the newly merged T-Mobile US operations and how the carrier is now positioned in the competitive wireless market place.
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