T-Mobile USA

T-Mobile US
T-Mobile US is the rising star amongst the “Big 4” providers. Within the last few years, it gained the most customers by pursuing a very aggressive pricing and innovations strategy, surpassing Sprint at #3 in the US market.

2G is on 1900 MHz up to EDGE speed. 3G is on 1700 MHz (AWS) and 1900 MHz up to DC-HSPA. 4G/LTE is on 1700 MHz (B4, B66), 700 MHz (B12) and 1900 MHz (B2). In 2017, they acquired spectrum on 600 MHz (B71) for LTE that will be used to enhance coverage. See Basics chapter for specifics and compatibility.

T-Mobile announced that starting February 2019, 5G will be available in 30 major cities of the US at least to some of its prepaid customers as well.

Availability and start-up
Their starter packs are called “activation kits” and consist of a SIM card and an explanation leaflet in English and Spanish. They are available online to be sent to an US postal address, at T-Mobile branded stores (locator) and other stores without ID. Note, that activation kits sold in T-Mobile stores need to be activated at time of purchase. You can not buy just the SIM card. Micro-, mini- and nano-SIMs are available.

The official price in stores is now a whopping $25 (plus local taxes) containing only about $3 credit. Some shops want to charge even higher prices or hefty fees for cutting. So it's a better idea to buy the SIM in advance by independent merchants on eBay.com (search for “T-Mobile Activation Kit”) that are also shipped overseas for a small fee to avoid being overcharged. They have often bought the activation kits at one of T-Mobile's many promotions for $1. But you can't rely on getting one for this start-up price in a T-Mobile shop and promo codes are only for online orders to be sent to an US postal address.

Activation
The activation kit comes only with an activation code and without a number assigned to it. Activation is done by calling 877-778-2107 from any phone, *611 from T-Mobile phone or online HERE. This is where you can choose your number and plan too. Signing up can be done while you are in the US or before at home. You will get a text message for verification. This SMS used not to be forwarded abroad when roaming on a network other than T-Mobile US. Recently, first users succeeded in activating it through non-US roaming networks. So you might give it a try before leaving for the US.

In 2016 T-Mobile changed their policy and started to ship SIM cards already pre-activated on the $3 "pay as you go plan". This gives the advantage that you only have to change the plan, but the highly popular $30 plan (see below) becomes now only available to un-activated kits or at Walmart stores.

Recharges and validity
You can try to recharge T-Mobile online, but looks like it accepts only US-issued credit cards. Non-residents should use vouchers instead, called 'refill cards' available at T-Mobile stores, many supermarkets, gas stations, Walgreen’s and CVS drugstores, 7-Eleven and many other places. Minimum top-up value is $10.

For refill cards, be aware that you are likely to pay more than the 'face value' of refills in stores due to the recently-introduced '911 Prepaid Wireless Emergency Service Fee', which for example in Los Angeles is around $5.80 on a $30 refill.

For refills by (foreign) credit cards the online site Callingmart is a great source. They charge a 2% fee, but no taxes and they accept PayPal too.

The SIM card is valid for 90 days after the last refill. After 90 days since last recharge, it will be terminated and the remaining credits will be lost. Since 2014 T-Mobile has a $3 monthly minimum charge.

There is one exception to this termination rule and minimum charge: for iPads with LTE connectivity and other certified tablets too, T-Mobile offers a 200 MB per month free plan which doesn't expire after 90 days or charge a monthly fee. According to T-Mobile, these accounts expire after 365 consecutive days without any activity. Since free activity counts, you should use mobile data once per year to keep this free plan alive.

Re-activation of old SIM cards
It's now verified that you can re-activate old T-Mobile SIM cards that have been terminated before and shut off. You can buy an T-Mobile Activation Code (without the SIM card) on eBay for a few $ and activate it online using your old expired T-Mobile SIM card. Thus, you will get a new number, but don't have to buy a new SIM card (at $20+) or obey expiry rules and waste money on useless monthly minimum charges.

You can also re-activate old T-Mobile SIM cards that are on the $3 per month Pay As You Go Plan by simply recharging the SIM card online with you T-Mobile web login. When you visit the US, just top up enough to pay for the $3 monthly charge and the data pass you want and then just let the plan lapse when you leave. DO NOT sign up for autopay or your account will always be charged when the balance goes below $0. Recharging $20 when arriving is usually enough to pay for the $3 minimum and then a $10 1 week 1GB data pass, with a few dollars left over for any voice calling you may want to do.

Default rate: "Pay as you go"
Their default rate for voice and data costs a $3 monthly fee. This includes 30 minutes voice (incoming or outgoing, domestic only) OR 30 text messages (domestic only). These two data packs can be added: Activating one of the data packs can be done online at the "mobile" My Account site ma.web2go.com, in person at a T-Mobile store, or by calling customer service. The $10 data pack can be renewed within the 7 days when the data is used up (or before, but you lose any remaining data for that pass).
 * $ 5: 500 MB for 1 day (based on one calendar day on Pacific Time)
 * $ 10: 1 GB for 7 days

Monthly rates: "Pay by the month – Unlimited":
"unlimited" means that after the high speed data quota is used up, speed will be throttled to 128 kbps.

For a $5 add-on you get calls, texts and 4G/LTE data roaming in Mexico and Canada included, in the $75 plan it's already included. The Simply Prepaid plans include "Music Freedom", which doesn't count the data used by most streaming music services against the high speed data allowance.

All prepaid customers are exempt from "unlimited worldwide roaming" to 140+ countries. This is only offered to postpaid clients after a credit check and generally throttled to 128 kbit/s.

@ = Hotspot use (aka tethering) is limited to 3G speeds for the entire plan

(*) = the $50 plan is offered as a "limited promotion"

The $30 and all Simply Choice Plans have been discontinued in 2017. Existing customers are grandfathered and can stay on these plans, but they are not offered to new customers anymore.

IDD call add-on
For calling abroad, you can have a special add-on called "Stateside International Talk". This can be added to all monthly prepaid plans costing $50 per month or higher. There are two options:
 * $ 15: unlimited calls for landline phones of over 70 countries and 1000 minutes for mobile phones of over 30 countries (list, all countries)

International Tourist Plan
For $30, T-Mobile offers a new International Tourist Plan. This plan is aimed towards short term visitors to the US and only lasts for 3 weeks, is not renewable or expandable. It includes 1,000 domestic minutes, unlimited domestic and global texting to 140 countries, and 2 GB of 4G/LTE data along with a free SIM card. Beyond the given volume speed will be throttled to 2G speed (about 150 kbps). You can't add extra packages. Visitors to the United States wishing to activate this plan can just walk into any T-Mobile store and ask for it.

Data-only plans
T-Mobile sells data-only packages too. They are called “Pay in Advance Mobile Internet” and don’t have voice or text. You can activate any un-activated starter pack to it, but once a SIM is activated to a phone, it's not eligible for data plans. These data plans are for non-telephony devices only - although the T-Mobile site is silent in this matter, store representatives indicate these plans are only for tablets and the like - not for phones.

For tablets T-Mobile now offers 200 MB per month free for iPads with LTE connectivity and certain other certified tablets as well. Once you sign up for this 200 MB/month plan, you can't use the same SIM in any other tablet or phone. But you can buy the on-demand packs below to expand beyond the 200 MB, and also the free renewing 200 MB plan keeps your SIM alive for 365 days without any activity.


 * On demand rates

If offered, a special promotional 5 GB for $10 pass lasts for 5 months and can only be purchased once. After any pass has been purchased, this special pass can not be bought again. So buy this special pass before any other passes. This special pass is not available to everyone, but often appears after activating the free 200 MB/month plan on LTE capable iPads and possibly other tablets.

These packs can be booked online on demand through your account and don’t renew themselves. One day is based on 0.00am-11.59pm in Pacific Time.


 * Monthly packs

Furthermore there are monthly packages (for 30 days) which renew automatically:


 * $ 20: 2 GB


 * $ 35: 6 GB


 * $ 50: 10 GB


 * $ 65: 14 GB


 * $ 80: 18 GB


 * $ 95: 22 GB

Settings and info

 * APN: epc.t-mobile.com
 * APN for LTE devices: fast.t-mobile.com


 * Customer Support Line: 877-453-1304


 * Website: www.t-mobile.com

Metro by T-Mobile (rebranded from metroPCS)
Metro by T-Mobile, formerly under the brand MetroPCS used to be an own CDMA provider until it was acquired by T-Mobile in 2013. The parent company then moved customers from CDMA to its own GSM-based network. In June 2015, the CDMA network was shut down, but MetroPCS remained a separate brand reselling T-Mobile's GSM network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE (for coverage and frequencies see T-Mobile). Since 2014, MetroPCS supported BYOP (Bring your own phone) of any T-Mobile capable, unlocked devices. In 2018, it was rebranded to 'metro by T-Mobile' with new offers added.

Start upMetroPCS.jpg
SIM cards for BYOP are available online to be sent to an US postal address or at metro stores and authorized dealers (locator) for $10 each, but not in branded T-Mobile stores. All SIM sizes are offered.

Recharge and Balance
Metro offers a number of ways to pay without surcharges: Online using a credit/debit card or a Metro payment card sold at Walmart, BestBuy and other retailers. For a fee of $2 you can use a 24-hour payment machine at a Metro store. For $3 you can top-up over the counter at a Metro store or authorized dealer.

Check your balance and expiration date in the MyAccount section of the Metro website, using the MyMetro app on the phone or by calling *611 from your Metro phone, or 888-863-8768 from any phone.

You can activate monthly packages online, at a Metro store or an authorized dealer.

Data packages
Metro by T-Mobile offers only monthly combo packages with unlimited US talk and text and this data quota: Beyond the included data quota, speed will be throttled to 128 Kbit/s. On the unlimited data plans data speeds are subject to deprioritization after 32 GB when the network is congested.
 * $ 30: 2 GB data, hotspot use allowed
 * $ 40: 10 GB, no hotspot use allowed
 * $ 50: unlimited data (max. 5 GB hotspot use), Google One cloud
 * $ 60: unlimited data (max. 15 GB hotspot use), Google One cloud, Amazon Prime included

Unlimited has a limit of 35 GB per month. Beyond some customers may get slower speeds in times of congestion. Video streaming is always limited to 480p. For a $10 add-on, you can get HD.

Settings and info

 * APN: fast.metropcs.com
 * Customer support: *611 from a Metro phone or 888-863-8768 from any phone
 * Website: http://www.metropcs.com

US Mobile
US Mobile is a prepaid wireless carrier, operating on the T-Mobile network. It started in 2014 and has an a la carte approach to talk, text and data plans with 252 possible combinations to choose from.

Start up
You can only get their SIM cards online, through their website. A starter kit bought online costs $ 3.99. The smallest plan costs $2/month. The smallest talk, text and data plan is $10 per month, which includes the $4 monthly service fee per device. SIM cards are shipped within 3 to 7 business days to a postal address in the US or Canada only. The activation of the SIM card is done online on their website.

Data packages
In addition to 10 talk and text packages, they have these monthly data packages to choose from:


 * $ 2: 100 MB


 * $ 5: 300 MB


 * $ 9: 500 MB


 * $ 14: 1 GB
 * $ 20: 3 GB
 * $ 28: 5 GB
 * $ 35: 8 GB

There are no surcharges on top-ups and they are valid for 30 days after the day of the purchase. If you're on auto-pay, the last chosen plan will be renewed. There is no roaming abroad. US Mobile officailly accepts international credit cards and both credit cards that have been tested (Irish Visa and German Mastercard) worked without any issues.

Settings and info

 * APN: pwg


 * Customer support: 888 878 1488


 * Website: www.usmobile.com

GoSmart mobile
GoSmart is a subsidiary of T-Mobile on their US network (check frequencies in Basics and T-Mobile section). It offers 3G speeds for data except for Facebook and Facebook Messenger which are unlimited. 3G speeds don't exclude the 4G/LTE network but speed is throttled to 1 Mbps on any network.

Start up
The SIM is sold as a Mobile SIM Kit online or offline at various independent shops (locator) and Target branches, but not at T-Mobile stores, for $ 8, where refills can be found too. SIM come either in mini and micro size or in nano.

Data packages
They have these monthly packages on offer. All packs include unlimited domestic calls, internatl. SMS and unlimited Facebook and Facebook Messenger in 4G/LTE, all other data is in max. 3G speed (around 1 Mbps):


 * $ 25: 1 GB


 * $ 35: 5 GB


 * $ 45: 20 GB


 * $ 55: unlimited with 10 GB for hotspots and $10 internatl. call credit

Beyond the allowances speed will be further lowered to 128 kbps. All packages will auto-renew, if there is credit. If not, service will be suspended. There is no roaming abroad, tethering is allowed without surcharges.

Settings and more info

 * APN: multibrand


 * Customer support: 877-582-7788


 * Website: www.gosmartmobile.com

NET10 and Straight Talk
These are two MVNOs of América Móvil by Mexican Tycoon Carlos Slim with similar rates and setups. Both brands can be used on AT&T and T-Mobile network in 2G (T-Mobile only), 3G and 4G/LTE, but you must choose one network, when buying a SIM card and then there is no switching or roaming between AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

Straight Talk
The SIM card-only with “bring your own phone” is sold exclusively at Walmart (Store finder), including the monthly combo plans for 30 days: When included data is used up, speed will be reduced to 64 Kbps. For more data, you can only reset your plan ahead of time. Tethering is allowed and without surcharges.
 * $ 35: unlimited talk and SMS and 2 GB
 * $ 45: unlimited talk and SMS and 10 GB
 * $ 55: unlimited talk and SMS and "unlimited" GB (depriorization beyond 32 GB)
 * $ 60: unlimited talk and SMS, including international calls to 35 countries and 10 GB data

Activation is done online or by calling 877-430-2355 from any phone except the one you are trying to activate. Top-up cards can be bought at some convenience stores and at Walmart only. Customer support can be reached on 877 430 2355 or online at www.straighttalk.com

Net10 Wireless
The SIM card-only can be bought for $6.99 at certain retailers like Radio Shack, BestBuy and Walgreens and others: NET10 store locator where refill cards can be purchased as well. They have monthly packs with unlimited domestic calls and texts and a data allowance in 3G and 4G:

When all data are used up, speeds will be reduced to 64 Kbps. Activation can be done here. Tehtering is allowed and free. It's not possible to send many internatl. SMS. Customer support is 877 836 2368 or online www.net10.com

Settings and more info
For both Straight Talk and Net10:


 * on T-Mobile network: APN: wap.tracfone Port: 8080
 * Websites: http://www.straighttalk.com and http://www.net10wireless.com/

TracFone
TracFone is another MVNO of the América Móvil family (see above) on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile networks. But you will have to choose one network and can't switch or roam. Starting in 2015 TracFone allowed "BYOP" (= Bring your own phone) GSM devices for their AT&T based SIM cards, but not for other networks. AT&T's 4G/LTE is supported too.

Start up
You can buy the SIM card in stores or the activation kit online for $6.99. Shops include major retailers like Target, Best Buy, Walmart and Costco. GSM phones should activate automatically when the phone is turned on with a Tracfone SIM in it. Tracfone requires to buy an airtime card for at least $19.99 as a base plan. This is valid for 90 days and contains 60 domestic minutes.

Reload cards or codes are available at convenience stores, supermarkets, chain drugstores and big box retailers like Target or online by credit card.

Data feature packages
To the airtime card of at least $19.99 (for 3 months), you can add these plans for data: All these packages need to be purchased online on http://www.tracfone.com/
 * $ 10: 1 GB for the running time of the base plan
 * $ 15: 200 MB, 200 mins, 200 SMS for 30 days
 * $ 25: 500 MB, 500 mins, 1000 SMS for 60 days
 * $ 35: 1 GB, 750 mins, 1000 SMS for 60 days
 * $ 125: 1.5 GB, 1500 mins, 1500 SMS for 365 days

Settings and more info
Tracfone users can make calls to 60 countries including Canada, Mexico, China and most Western European countries (list) for the same price as a domestic call. To make an international call you first dial 1-800-706-3839. You will then prompted to select your language (1 for English) and then to dial 011 plus the country code and number. It's not possible to call other countries besides the 60 supported ones and Tracfone doesn't support sending international text messages either.
 * you can check your balance at http://www.fastactportal.com/static/balance
 * APN (for T-Mobile): wap.tracfone
 * Customer Support: 800-867-7183
 * Website: http://www.tracfone.com/

Simple Mobile
Simple Mobile started as MVNO, was taken over in 2012 by TracFone and now belongs to the América Móvil family. It uses T-Mobile US in up to 4G/LTE and gives good roaming rates down in Mexico too.

Start up
You can buy the SIM card online, on eBay.com or in small independent stores (locator) for $0.99. Shops are mostly small telco outlets and the SIM card only is refered as BYOP (= bring your own phone). Mini and micro SIM sizes are available.

You need to activate you SIM card online or by calling 877-878-7908 from another phone.

Reload PINs are available from their outlets. The PIN code has to be texted to 848484 like this: REUP#. Alternatively, you can top-up online by debit or credit card. To this card, you can link auto-pay, but don't forget to cancel later. Thus, you will receive a 10% discount on every top-up.

Data feature packages
You can add these combo plans valid for 30 days. All contain unlimited domestic calls, domestic and international SMS, calls to some internal. countries and this domestic data allowance: The unlimited plan is really unlimited, but requires auto-pay. The other plans will be throttled to 64 Kbps having reached the quota. The plans include data roaming in Mexico on Telcel (debited from the bundle) and calls to 50+ countries (list). For more data, you can renew your plan at anytime.
 * 1 GB: $ 25
 * 2 GB: $ 30
 * 6 GB: $ 40
 * unlimited: $ 50, no tethering, video in 480p
 * unlimited: $ 60, 8 GB tethering data

Settings and more info
Plans will auto-renew every 30 days (or 7 days depending on plan). If you do not have sufficient funds in your account your service will be suspended. If you do not renew within 90 days after your account is suspended you will lose your phone number.

You can check your cash balance, change plans, add PINs and make a payments using a credit or debit card using the My Account option online (free registration required) or by calling ADD (233) from your Simple Mobile phone.
 * APN: simple
 * Customer Support: 611 from your Simple Mobile phone or 877.878.7908 or 877.441.4844 from another phone. Support hours are 8am - midnight (EST) every day.
 * Website: http://www.simplemobile.com

Red Pocket Mobile and Mango Mobile
Red Pocket Mobile is a MVNO on AT&T while T-Mobile was dropped in 2015 and rejoined again in February 2016. 2G with T-Mobile, 3G and 4G/LTE of both networks are supported, but you have to decide which network to use and there is no roaming between them.

Start up
The SIM cards are available for $9.99 online to be sent to an US postal address or offline at Red Pocket outlets. Take care which network you choose. Unfortunately they don’t have a retail outlet list, but on eBay vendors sell them as low as 99c plus postage with international shipping. Reload cards can be found in their stores, supermarkets or at callingmart.com without surcharges. Available top-ups are: $10 for 30 days, $25 for 90 days, $50 for 180 days, $100 for 365 days. If not topped up, account will be terminated and credit is lost. The SIMs can be activated online or by calling 888-993-3888 from another phone.

T-Mobile Plans
They reintroduced T-Mobile plans that include talk and data for 30 days:

Mango Mobile
In 2016 Red Pocket started a new brand called Mango Mobile on the T-Mobile network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE. SIM card is available online or from some local dealers (store locator) for $10. To top-up go online and pay with credit card or visit the dealer again. Auto-pay is available too.

The following monthly combo plans are available: When data is used up, speed will be throttled to 128 kbps. Additional data can be added to any plan at: $2/100 MB, $5/400 MB, $10/1 GB, $25/2.5 GB or $50/5 GB. Global calling includes 74 countries.
 * $ 15 Green Mango - 500 mins dom. talk, unlimited global text, 1 GB of data and $2 internatl. call credit. Tethering not allowed
 * $ 19 Fresh Mango - unlimited global talk and text, 500 MB of data and $2 internatl. call credit
 * $ 25 Sweet Mango - unlimited globle talk and text, 1 GB of data and $2 internatl call credit
 * $ 30 Juicy Mango - unlimited global talk and text, 2 GB of data and $2 internatl. call credit
 * $ 35 Interntional Mango - unlimited global talk and text, 1 GB of data and $10 internatl. call credit

Settings and more info

 * Tethering: not allowed by terms of service
 * APN for T-Mobile: wholesale
 * Customer support: 888-993-3888
 * Websites: goredpocket.com and http://www.mymangomobile.com

Lycamobile
Lycamobile USA started 2013 as MVNO on the T-Mobile network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE (see Basics and T-Mobile section).

Start up
Lycamobile SIM cards can be found in stores (locator) or on Lycamobile website with shipping to the United States only at $7 (free shipping if bought in combination with a plan) or for free, if you buy $10 or more in airtime.

In the US you can activate a new SIM by by calling 845-301-1612 from another phone, but abroad you need to activate on their website instead.

Recharges
You can buy refills on lycamobile.us (even with a non-US credit card). Refill cards are available from local Lycmobile dealers. Some local and online dealers including callingmart.com offer instant PIN-less refills direct to your phone. Lycamobile adds a 5% cost recovery charge to all online recharge purchases including auto-refills.

Data packages
Lycamobile offers data only on the following data on monthly plans. The default rate outside packages is $0.06 per MB. All monthly packages include unlimited domestic voice calls and to 75+ countries, domestic and international text, free incoming text, a data quota up to 4G/LTE speed and an international call credit for other international calls. All packages include "unlimited" data, domestic texts and voice and "unlimited" free calls among Lycamobile worldwide.

All packages will renew automatically, if there is credit. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account to renew your service will be suspended. Unused call credits rollover provided you top up on time before the account is deactivated for inactivity.

Pay-as-you-go plan
Their pay-as-you-go rate outside of monthly packages doesn't offer data or MMS. Current Lycamobile monthly plan users can switch to the pay-as-you-go plan only by adding a $10 top-up and letting their plan expire. It's the least expensive way to park a phone number as regular top-ups aren't needed. This plan is not mentioned on their website. Funds added to a Lycamobile pay-as-you-go account never expire as long as a non-toll-free call is made or received or a text is sent at least every 90 days. That means, it can cost less than 20¢ a year to keep a SIM alive.

Settings and more info

 * a T-Mobile US locked phone does work on Lycamobile US using the newer 4G SIM cards
 * there are reports that certain VoIP programs like Google Voice don't work
 * APN: data.lycamobile.us (old) /or/ data.lycamobile.com (new)
 * Username: lmus (that's not capital I, but lowercase L)
 * Password: plus
 * Customer Support: 866-277-3221 (toll-free)
 * Website: www.lycamobile.us

ZIP SIM (formerly Ready SIM)
ZIP SIM by Ozono Networks, rebranded from Ready SIM in 2016. It's a MVNO on the T-Mobile network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE (see Basics and T-Mobile section) and aimed at short-time users and visitors.

The SIM card can be bought a shops in the US and Canada (locator) or online on their website. It comes as a tri-cut SIM. As a special service, they also ship overseas in 7-20 business days, which is very rare for an operator. The SIM card is supposed to be self-activating. You only need to text your US ZIP (= postal) code and your SIM ID number for activation.

They have a very rigid top-up scheme: To be eligible for a top-up, your ZIP SIM must either have an active plan, or your plan expired within the last 72 hours.

Data and combo packages
For more data you need to a another package within the rigid top-up period or the card will be discontinued. These packs include unlimited domestic calls, domestic and international text and a data quota. You can add airtime for international calls at purchase.
 * Data only
 * Voice, text and data

Settings and more info

 * Tethering is allowed
 * APN: wholesale
 * Customer Support: 611 from ZIP SIM phone
 * Website: www.zipsim.us

Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile is another MVNO that started in 2012 using the T-Mobile network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE (see T-Mobile section and Basics for details).

Start up
SIM cards cost $9.99 with free shipping within the US sold on their website or through their dealers (locator). Regular and micro SIMs are available. SIMs are also available from Amazon and eBay for as little as 1¢ with free shipping in the US or for a surcharge abroad. Retailers like CVS have a starter kit for $34 which includes $29 credit which can be applied towards any of their plans (the packaging may have outdated information). SIM size is regular and nano. Activate online or by calling 888-777-0446. Activation is free, you can change plans at any point.

Top-ups can be made by credit card online or over the phone or by vouchers with PIN codes sold at their outlets or online with a discount. Ultra adds a "cost recovery fee" to all recharges made at retail locations. The fee is 50¢ on loads of $10 or less and $1 on loads of $10.01 or more.

Data plans
These monthly combo plans are offered. They all contain unlimited domestic talk/SMS and to 75 countries. Beyond the plan limits are reached data speeds are reduced to 128 Kbps or less for the rest on the month. Additional ' UpData' high-speed data packages priced at 1 GB for $10 or 3 GB for $20 can be added to any plan. Sign up to your account to buy add-ons. Add-on data expires at the end of the current plan month.
 * $ 19: 500 MB 4G data (and unlimited 3G when you buy 3 months of service)
 * $ 23: 1 GB 4G data (and 1 GB 4G data when you buy 3 months of service)
 * $ 29: 2 GB 4G data (and 2 GB 4G data, $15 internatl. call credit when you buy 3 months of service)
 * $ 39: 5 GB 4G data (and $20 internatl. call credit when you buy 3 months of service)
 * $ 49: unlimited 4G data (and the 4th month for free when you buy 3 months of service). No tethering allowed.

Plans renew every 30 days. If you don't have sufficient funds in your account to renew, your service will be suspended. If you don't renew within 30 days after your account is suspended, you may lose your phone number. To check balance and validity, text 'BALANCE' to 6700; to check data consumption, 'DATA' to 6700.

Settings and more info

 * Tethering is prohibited in their Terms of Service
 * APN: wholesale
 * Customer Support: Call 611 from an Ultra Mobile phone or 888-777-0446 from another phone
 * Website: https://www.ultramobile.com

Roam Mobility
Roam Mobility is a Canada-based MVNO that offers SIM cards for the US (and Mexico) sold in Canada. So this is only a possibility, if you live in Canada or travel from Canada to the US. They use the network of T-Mobile US for roaming in 2G, 3G and 4G. For frequencies and coverage see T-Mobile above. Note that the SIM doesn't work in Canada.

Start up
Their roaming SIM card can be bought in Canada only at their authorized dealers (shop locator) or online on their website for CAD 9.95. You can activate and top-up the SIM as well as choose a plan on their there using AmEx, Visa or Mastercard.

Data packs
These US data-only packs are available and can be activated on their website: To these data packs more data can be added by data bolt-ons: 300 MB for CAD 5.95, 500 MB for CAD 9.95 and 1 GB for CAD 14.95, vaild each for the rest of the running time of the existing data pack. They also sell voice & data plans that can be checked here.
 * 300 MB for 3 days, CAD 9.95
 * 500 MB for 7 days, CAD 16.95
 * 1 GB for 7 days, CAD 21.95
 * 2 GB for 30 days, CAD 29.95
 * 5 GB for 30 days, CAD 59.95

Settings and more info

 * APN: WHOLESALE
 * Data roaming must be enabled
 * Website: http://www.roammobility.com

Ting
Ting started in 2012 on the Sprint network and spread to T-Mobile in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE. As Sprint is CDMA and doesn't allow to bring your own device, only the T-Mobile plans are shown below.

Start up
Their SIM card for T-Mobile is sold online on their website for $9 or other online dealers like Amazon or eBay for less. They are not regulary sold in shops which makes it inconvenient for travellers. You need to activate your SIM on their website.

You need to allow auto-pay on your credit card which makes this SIM a hybrid pre-postpaid offer.

Data rates
Ting has an unusual pricing model: users are charged for separate packs (which Ting calls tiers) of voice minutes, texts and data. If you use up all the allowances in one of your buckets, Ting will automatically upgrade you to the next larger pack for the current month only. You can block these automatic upgrades by setting usage and/or spending limits that cut off your service for the rest of the month when the limit is reached. The same scheme applies to domestic voice and SMS allowances. Ting also charges a $6 per month service fee regardless of usage. Data, voice and SMS tiers can be shared across multiple phones or users on the same account. Tethering is allowed without surcharge.
 * XS: 0 - $ 0
 * S: 100 MB - $ 3
 * M: 500 MB - $ 10
 * L: 1 GB - $ 16
 * XL: 2 GB - $ 20
 * beyond XL: $ 10 per GB

Settings and more info

 * APN: wholesale
 * Customer support: 855 846 4389 only Mon-Fri
 * Website: http://ting.com/

FreedomPop
FreedomPop launched as a Sprint MVNO in 2012 and claims to have added over one million customers since launch. In 2016 they began offering FreedomPop GSM service to their US customers first on T-Mobile, later on AT&T too.

FreedomPop uses a business model called 'Freemium' that provides users with a limited amount of free data and phone service and makes money by selling devices and extra features like voice mail and faster data and by charging overage rates for data, texts and minutes after the free allotment is used up. More than half of all their US customers buy add-ons for pay that are not so cheap after all.

Global Plan phased out
From 2016 FreedopPop has offered a Global Plan with free international roaming. In August 2017 the SIMs stopped connecting to AT&T's US network, although they still work with T-Mobile 3G, but not very well. The problem is that T-Mobile is converting most of their spectrum now to 4G/LTE. 3G is limited to a sliver of bandwidth on either 1700 MHz or 1900 MHz depending on market. That limits the choice of devices that work well with the Global SIM in the US. For US use, FreedomPop's AT&T 4G/LTE SIMs are a much better option (see AT&amp;T article) now.

At the end of 2017 they don't sell the Global Plan on T-Mobile for new customers anymore. Existing customers can still use it with the technical restrictions mentioned above. Some of the old SIM cards are phased out in 2018. They can be moved over to AT&T's network, but you need to swap SIM cards. The replacement SIMs are free, but shipping is reportedly $6.99. In addition, FreedomPop now requires users to have a $10 balance in order to downgrade to its free plan, so replacing a Global SIM with an AT&T 4G/LTE one will cost 'free' plan users $16.99.

Settings and more info

 * APN: freedompop.foggmobile.com
 * Turn on data roaming as it's a UK-based SIM card
 * Customer support: 888-701-1353, long waiting times, no support for free customers!
 * Website: https://www.freedompop.com/