Is T-Mobile GSM or CDMA?
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About Rob
Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
Rob's Expertise
5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
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About Amanda
Amanda has 20+ years of experience as an educator. Her teaching career, paired with her love for research and technology, has led her to MoneySavingPro. Her personal experience with eSIMs and MVNOs after switching her entire family away from big wireless in the last few years has taught her the ins and outs of the industry. And saved her hundreds per month.
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Writing, editing, proofreading, researching, blogging, collaborating, communicating, CMS, eSIMs, MVNOs, 5G home internet & comparison
Last updated on November 1st, 2023
Does T-Mobile use CDMA or GSM networks?.
We helped over 2 million users compare cell phone plans in 2022
We've reviewed 30 carriers & compared over 120 phone plans
Over 15 years of experience helping people save money on their phone bills
Top plans list
- US Mobile 30GB: Best cheap T-Mobile carrier
- Boost Mobile 5GB: Best prepaid T-Mobile carrier
- Lycamobile 5GB: Best T-Mobile eSIM carrier
- Mint Mobile 15GB: Best T-Mobile carrier for familes
- Boost Infinite Unlimited: Best T-Mobile carrier for unlimited data
1. Best cheap T-Mobile carrier: US Mobile 30GB
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks US Mobile operates on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- Unlimited talk and text
- 30GB data
- $350 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the US Mobile 30GB vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
FREE*
$50/mo*30 Day FREE Trial
US Mobile phone plans offer affordable deals on the Verizon and T-Mobile networks, with good customer service and customizable options. You can build the best phone plans to suit specific needs, with unlimited talk and text and even international roaming options.
Plus, they don't lock you into any long-term contracts, giving you the freedom to switch whenever you like.
Pros
- T-Mobile and Verizon 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Multi-line discounts for family plans
- Free trial available
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
- TV, music, & gaming subscription perks on unlimited plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- International calling is an extra cost
- International roaming is an extra cost
- Mobile hotspot allowance only available on unlimited plans
- US Mobile stands out with its exceptional customer service, offering 24/7 support by phone or online chat.
- Try before you buy on a 50-day trial period.
- Mobile hotspot data allowance is dependent on the unlimited plan you choose. You'll get either 5 GB, 10 GB, or 50 GB.
- With their family plans, you can save hundreds of dollars on your cell phone bill by adding multiple lines. The more lines you add, the more discount you receive.
- For extra perks, US Mobile offers streaming services like Disney Plus bundle with Hulu and ESPN, HBO Max, Apple TV, Spotify Family, PlayStation Plus, and more, with an unlimited prepaid plan and at least three additional lines.
- Available to new and existing US Mobile customers with an unlimited plan and at least three additional lines. You'll need to pay for the subscription yourself and verify it every three months for a maximum of 12 months. The extra cost will be credited to your account via Autopay.
- They may not be the best option for frequent travelers seeking reliable international coverage. Their add-on packages for roaming can be expensive, and their international calling features may not be as competitive as other carriers.
2. Best prepaid T-Mobile carrier: Boost Mobile 5GB
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks Boost Mobile operates on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- Unlimited talk and text
- 5GB data
- $750 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Boost Mobile 5GB vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$5/mo*
$15/mo*$15 for 3 Mths Service
Boost Mobile phone plans are powered by the AT&T and T-Mobile 5G & 4G networks, giving you the same wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.
With a range of data allowances from 2GB up to unlimited, there's something for the light to heavy data users.
Pros
- AT&T & T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Multi-line discounts for family plans
- Mobile hotspot access
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No free international calls
- International roaming is limited
- All of Boost Mobile's prepaid plans come with unlimited calling and text.
- If you use a lot of data, unlimited plans include up to 30GB of high-speed data.
- Most plans include mobile hotspot data, but be sure to check. The allowance depends on the plan, but the maximum is 30GB, which comes out of your monthly data allowance.
- Discounts are available for additional lines, so you can save on a plan for the whole family.
- When it comes to devices, they provide a wide range of phones to choose from. Including the latest models from popular brands like Apple and Samsung, with financing options of 0% financing over 1-2 years. Helping to make it affordable to purchase a new phone.
- Boost Mobile's international features are not as strong. Their international roaming options are limited compared to other carriers, and international calls are an extra add-on, which means you'll have to pay extra if you want to make calls to friends and family overseas.
3. Best T-Mobile eSIM carrier: Lycamobile 5GB
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks Lycamobile operates on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- Unlimited talk and text
- 5GB data
- $780 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Lycamobile 5GB vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$10/mo
Lycamobile phone plans are the perfect choice for customers looking to enjoy quality mobile service without paying through the roof, along with great customer support. Powered by T-Mobile, you'll get unlimited talk & text and plenty of data options, up to 40GB of high-speed data, along with free international calling.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
- Free international calls to 75+ countries
- Excellent score on Trustpilot
Cons
- Extra cost for international roaming
- Doesn’t support eSIM
Whether you're an avid social media user or love talking for hours to family abroad, there are plenty of options with Lycamobile. International calls are free to 75+ countries around the world.
A couple of drawbacks are that there are no international roaming deals. This is disappointing as Lycamobile is available in a large number of countries. Plus, Lycamobile doesn't currently provide eSIMs for their plans.
4. Best T-Mobile carrier for familes: Mint Mobile 15GB
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- Unlimited talk and text
- 15GB data
- $720 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Mint Mobile 15GB vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$10/mo*
$20/mo*50% Off: $60 for 6 Mths
Mint Mobile phone plans are powered by the T-Mobile network, providing the same great service at a lower cost. They offer various data allowances, including an unlimited plan with 40GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
With Mint Mobile, their transparent messaging shows how you can save more money the longer you commit.
Pros
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Free calls to Mexico and Canada
- Free mobile hotspot with all plans
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No international roaming
- Limited customer service
- 3-month minimum sign-up
- Mint Mobile offers mobile hotspot access with all of their plans. So you can use your phone to tether to tablets or other mobile devices, and the unlimited plan includes a 10 GB hotspot data limit.
- A minimum 3-month upfront commitment is required to subscribe. The longer commitment period means cheaper prices. Choose a 3, 6, or 12-month pricing structure available after initial commitment.
- If you're unsatisfied, Mint Mobile offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- You can bring your own device, so there's no need to buy an expensive iPhone. However, if you prefer a new smartphone, there are many options available, including iPhones, Samsung, and other Android models like Google Pixel, with a 0% finance over 1-2 years.
- With the Mint Mobile app, you can easily monitor your usage and manage multiple lines and plans.
- One downside is that international roaming is an additional cost, and although you get free calls to Canada and Mexico, other international countries are extra.
5. Best T-Mobile carrier for unlimited data: Boost Infinite Unlimited
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks Boost Infinite operates on the T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks. This allows you to receive the same wireless coverage but at a fraction of the cost.
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
- $600 in annual savings Savings are calculated comparing the cost of the Boost Infinite Unlimited vs an unlimited data plan from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon over the first 12 months.
$25/mo*
* $25/mo Forever
One plan, one price. That's the Boost Infinite phone plan. Using the AT&T and T-Mobile network Boost Infinite is keeping it simple. With a cost of $25, you'll get super fast 5G on one of the top networks with their unlimited plan.
Pros
- AT&T and T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
- Unlimited plan (capped at 30GB high-speed data)
- Set price of $25 per month forever
- eSIM compatible
Cons
- No multi-line discounts
- International add-ons available
- For only $25 a month, you can get unlimited talk, text, and data (capped at 30GB of high-speed data).
- You won't have to worry about surprise charges or hidden fees, just taxes.
- With no contract, you can switch at any time if it's not working for you anymore.
- For an additional cost, you can roam in Mexico and Canada (although it's capped at 1GB), along with having unlimited international calls to 80+ countries and texts to 200+ countries.
- We can't dismiss the low-cost plan that Boost Infinite offers. But if you're looking to get your whole family in on the action, don't expect any additional discounts. The cost stays at $25 per person, per line.
- Mobile hotspot is available at an additional cost of $10 a month for up to 30GB, with the allowance coming out of your monthly data allotment.
Is T-Mobile a GSM carrer?
T-Mobile is a GSM network carrier and works with GSM cell phones.
GSM - which stands for Global System for Mobile Communications - is one of two types of wireless frequencies used for cell phone service. CDMA and GSM provide 3G service to fill in the gaps when your 4G signal drops.
Cell phone technology has evolved to allow most smartphones to run on both GSM and CDMA networks.
If you're unsure whether your device is compatible with a network, check with the carrier before buying your cell phone plan.
T-Mobile GSM network carriers
Of course, you don't have to go with the bigger (translation: expensive!) wireless carriers. MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators, are smaller mobile providers that use the very same networks as the big guys. They just give you better rates.
You can choose from a variety of plans from T-Mobile MVNOs like Mint, Ting, and Ultra Mobile, without sacrificing any of the network quality you get from the name brand.
T-Mobile GSM carrier benefits
- Service on the T-Mobile network: You get wireless service on the very same network as you do with the big guys.
- Cut your phone bill in half: MVNO plans typically cost 50% or less of the major providers' prices.
- Custom plans: MVNOs offer a variety of plans that let you choose what you need and pay for.
- No contracts: You retain total freedom to switch carriers any time you want.
- Keep your phone: You can bring your own phone (BYOP) and keep your phone number.
T-Mobile GSM carrier plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Mobile 30GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 30GB | $0/mo $50/mo |
| Tello 1GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 1GB | $9/mo |
| Boost Mobile 5GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $5/mo $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $10/mo $20/mo |
| Boost Infinite unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $25/mo |
T-Mobile vs Mint Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $720 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | 15GB | $20/mo | $180/yr |
| Savings | $55/mo | $720/yr | ||
How to switch to a T-Mobile GSM carrier
It's never been easier to switch. Let's break it down.
- Customize your plan. Whether you're looking for a truly unlimited plan, or in the market for something more basic, choose a plan to suit your cell phone needs.
- Prepare to make the switch. Make sure your old bills are paid up and your phone is unlocked. If you're getting a new device, transferring data from one to another is simple. Even if you're going from an iPhone to Android, and vice versa.
- Set up your new plan. Keep your current carrier account open until your number has been ported over. Once you're sure your new plan is up and running, cancel your old account. If you've got a new device with your Tello plan, it should be ready to use when it arrives. If you're bringing your own phone then you'll need to follow the instructions with the new SIM card kit that Tello will send to you in the post.
Bring your unlocked GSM phone
You need simplicity in your life. The great thing about MVNOs is that switching carriers is easy.
You need an unlocked phone (meaning your carrier has released it for use on another network). Once you've checked with your new provider about phone compatibility the rest is a breeze.
Most low-cost carriers simply provide you with a prepaid SIM card. You pop it into your cell phone and follow the provider's instructions. Just make sure you don't cancel your current phone plan until you've ported your phone number over to the new carrier.
T-Mobile GSM carriers list
Boost Mobile
Boom! Mobile
Consumer Cellular
FreeUP Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile
Mint Mobile
Red Pocket
Straight Talk
Tello
TextNow
Tracfone
Ultra Mobile
US Mobile
Good2Go Mobile
Reach Mobile
Lycamobile
Kroger Wireless
Boost Infinite
WOW! Mobile
Gotalk Wireless
