T-Mobile + MetroPCS Network Integration Moving Ahead Of Schedule

T-Mobile + MetroPCS. That's a thing now, remember? And it seems that the former is well ahead of schedule when it comes to integrating networks with the latter. A release shot out this week from T-Mobile makes clear that just six weeks after the combination was locked down, it's already working to migrate MetroPCS customers onto T-Mobile's HSPA+ and LTE networks. The good news? It's moving "ahead of schedule." This means that T-Mobile users will have access to an LTE network in the near future.

The company is making HSPA+ and LTE compatible devices available to MetroPCS customers as well as allowing them to bring their own unlocked compatible HSPA+ or LTE phone, providing them the opportunity to upgrade to a powerful 4G network. With approximately 60 percent of MetroPCS customers upgrading their phones every year, it is expected that migration of customers will continue at a rapid pace. The company expects full customer migration to be complete by the end of 2015.


MetroPCS customers in Boston, Las Vegas and Hartford, Conn. can now purchase two new HSPA+ Android-powered smartphones running on a nationwide 4G network, the LG Optimus L9 and Samsung Galaxy Exhibit. On June 17, MetroPCS will also make available a refreshed version of the Samsung Galaxy S III, which will take advantage of 4G LTE in addition to a nationwide 4G HSPA+ network. Additionally, MetroPCS launched a "Bring Your Own Phone" program in these markets, as well as Dallas, giving customers the option to bring their own compatible unlocked phone to gain access to the 4G HSPA+ and LTE network.

As customers leave the MetroPCS network, the freed up spectrum can then be added to the company's growing 4G LTE network. Deploying the company's spectrum on a single network provides a path to double its initial super-fast 4G LTE deployment (to 20+20 MHz of 4G LTE) in approximately 90 percent of the top 25 metro areas planned for 2014 and beyond.

Not too shabby for a fourth place carrier, huh?