Metro PCS Cell Phones...The Cheap Cellular Savings Savior?

Have you heard of Metro PCS? Its the most intriguing cell phone company currently in the market. With unlimited calling plans starting at $40 and unlimited (calls / texts / browsing / emails) for only $50, its within your financial best interests to find out more.

I first heard of this company while riding from the Columbus airport en route to Dayton, Oh. The billboard boasted unlimited calling, local and long-distance, for only$40 per month. An amazing price for Ohio residents, but this would never work in Southern California where companies charge a premium for everything. Well, I've seen a few Metro PCS commercials advertising the same deal in Los Angeles. With no contracts and packages including unlimited calling and data for half the fee charged by others, why would anyone stay with their current cellular provider?

Full Price and Limited Options

Phone selection may leave something to be desired. A visit to metropcs.com two months ago revealed only six different phone models, including one offering a Qwerty keyboard. While researching and editing this article I learned that ten phones are now offered, including the Motorola KRZR. Their smart phone offerings are still limited but will probably grow with time. There are currently no RIM Blackberrys, Palm Treos, Motorola Qs, or touch-screen devices available.

You must pay the listed price for the phone. Unlike other (larger) carriers Metro does not subsidize the price of the phone in part or in whole. This is a direct consequence to the unique business model of not locking in customers with two year agreements that include liquidation clauses. Each approach has its positives and negatives. Its up to you to decide which approach you are most comfortable with.

Services

Metro PCS doesn't offer cable television options like Verizon or a walkie-talkie like Sprint-Nextel. It does, however, include unlimited directory assistance and instant messaging (for the $45/mo plan. Hello T-Mobile. A text message is not the same as sms and SHOULD NOT be billed the same way. SMS / text message fees are exorbitant as it is. There is no reason to charge upwards of fifteen cents or more for a ten kb message!). This is in addition to affordable (and unlimited) voice, text and email service.

When Can / Will I Join?

I want to give Metro a chance as soon as I am able. I checked the coverage map and if it appears that coverage is strong in my part of the world. I called my cellular provider, who I am satisfied with, to find out when my contract ends. Concerned that I am planning to leave whem my term ends in January, the rep did her best to appease me. They offered to alter my plan by allowing me to keep approximately the same minutes and lowering the price of my voice service by twenty percent. In order to take take advantage of this offer, however, I would be required to extend my contract a year-to-date. Thanks but no thanks.