Metro by T-Mobile
T-Mobile-owned prepaid MVNO
Type: MVNO · Network: T-Mobile · Official site
Our take on Metro by T-Mobile
What’s good
- T-Mobile-owned — sits closer to T-Mobile postpaid in the deprioritization queue than third-party MVNOs
- Strong retail presence: Metro stores in most US metros, plus T-Mobile own-stores will service Metro accounts
- $60 unlimited tier includes 5G UC (mid-band) and 35 GB hotspot
- Easy switching from another carrier with retail port-in support
- Family plan pricing scales aggressively at 3+ lines
What’s not
- Higher than third-party T-Mobile MVNOs (Mint, Tello) for similar data tiers
- Promotional pricing requires auto-pay and is sometimes time-limited
- Hotspot caps below 35 GB tier are minimal
- No included international roaming (T-Mobile postpaid’s most-loved feature)
Best for: T-Mobile-network users who want retail-store support and gentler deprioritization at prepaid pricing.
Not for: Tech-comfortable users who would happily save $10/month on Mint annual or US Mobile build-your-own.
Plans
Compare with similar carriers
Frequently asked questions
- What network does Metro by T-Mobile use?
Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO that runs on the T-Mobile network. Coverage is identical to T-Mobile postpaid in any given location, since both ride the same towers and spectrum. Speeds during congestion may be slightly lower because MVNO traffic is deprioritized vs the underlying carrier's postpaid customers.
- Is Metro by T-Mobile an MVNO or MNO?
Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO — a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. They lease wholesale capacity from T-Mobile and resell it under their own brand at typically lower prices.
- What is the cheapest Metro by T-Mobile plan?
The cheapest Metro by T-Mobile plan we have on file is Metro 10GB at $30.00/month. See the plans table above for the full list.
- Where can I check Metro by T-Mobile coverage?
Metro by T-Mobile rides the T-Mobile network, so its coverage is the same as T-Mobile's. We have a county-level coverage map at /coverage/metro, derived from public FCC Broadband Data Collection data. Enter your ZIP to see strong/fair/poor/none classification at your specific address.
- How do I switch to Metro by T-Mobile from another carrier?
Sign up at https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com, choose "transfer my existing number," and provide your current carrier's account number, port-out PIN, and billing ZIP code. Most ports complete in 15 minutes to 4 hours. Never cancel your old service before the port completes — it usually closes automatically. See our switching guide for the full walkthrough.
- Can I bring my own phone to Metro by T-Mobile?
Yes — Metro by T-Mobile supports BYOD. Your phone needs to be unlocked (carrier-locked phones must be unlocked first by the original carrier) and band-compatible with the underlying network. Activation is via eSIM or physical SIM depending on the device and carrier.
- Does Metro by T-Mobile support 5G?
Yes. Metro by T-Mobile supports 5G via the underlying T-Mobile network — sub-6 GHz (low-band + mid-band/C-band) on most plans. mmWave 5G availability depends on the specific plan tier and your phone's hardware. Speeds in the 200–700 Mbps range are typical on mid-band 5G in covered areas.