MetroPCS - United States

Search Criteria
Carrier
MetroPCS
Country
United States Flag of United States View country details


MetroPCS (United States) uses 1 GSM band, 6 LTE bands, and 5 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with MetroPCS (United States). See the tables below for details.

Check device compatibility

Carrier website: https://www.metropcs.com/

Last updated: 2024/08/07 - See latest updates

MetroPCS, now known as Metro by T-Mobile, is an American prepaid virtual wireless service provider and brand owned by T-Mobile US. Here are some key points about the network:

  • History: MetroPCS was established in 1994 as General Wireless, Inc., by Roger Linquist and Malcolm Lorang. It launched its service in 2002 and expanded to various regions, including Miami, Tampa, New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Sacramento. By February 2005, it had about 1.5 million subscribers and operated through 21 licenses.

  • Merger with T-Mobile: In October 2012, MetroPCS agreed to merge with T-Mobile USA. The reverse merger closed on May 1, 2013, and the combined company, now known as T-Mobile US, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The legacy MetroPCS CDMA network was decommissioned in June 2015, and customers were migrated to T-Mobile's LTE network.

  • Network Quality: The launch of MetroPCS's LTE network received mixed reviews. Data speeds were slower compared to T-Mobile's HSPA+ network, but the service was considered refreshing for users with basic data requirements.

  • Marketing and Reception: MetroPCS faced criticism for its advertising campaigns, including one featuring stereotypical characters. After the merger, MetroPCS introduced a campaign highlighting the inclusion of all related taxes and fees in advertised prices, which was also met with ridicule.

  • Customer Experience: Metro by T-Mobile ranked first in customer experience among non-contract full-service carriers in the 2018 and 2019 J.D. Power U.S. Wireless Purchase Experience Non-Contract Performance Studies.

  • Current Status: Metro by T-Mobile operates on T-Mobile's UMTS and LTE network, competing with other prepaid service providers like Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Visible, and TracFone.

Is a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) operating on the host network of:

Frequency Bands

GSM

Name Interface Description
1900 MHz (PCS) GSM

MetroPCS United States uses the GSM 1900 MHz (PCS) frequency band. This band operates in the 1,850–1,910 MHz range for the uplink (mobile to base) and the 1,930–1,990 MHz range for the downlink (base to mobile). The GSM 1900 MHz band was introduced in 1995 to support the growing demand for mobile services in the United States.

Supported GSM Protocols

Name Generation
GPRS 2.5G
EDGE 2.5G

LTE

Name Interface Description
B2 (1900 MHz PCS) LTE

MetroPCS United States uses LTE Band 2 (1900 MHz PCS) for its network. This band is primarily used for added capacity and is deployed in various market configurations, ranging from 5x5 to 20x20 MHz blocks. It is used for both LTE and legacy 2G/3G services, with some of this band being repurposed for LTE.
B4 (1700/2100 MHz AWS 1) LTE

MetroPCS United States uses LTE Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz AWS 1). This band is commonly used in the United States and is supported by several major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. It is known for providing a good balance between capacity, density, and penetration/range, making it a popular choice for LTE deployments. The band can be used as a single band or as part of a multi-band network, and it supports carrier aggregation with other bands to enhance network performance.
B12 (700 MHz ac) LTE

MetroPCS United States uses LTE Band 12 (700 MHz) for its network. This band is primarily used for its "extended range LTE" coverage, providing service in rural and suburban areas. It is supported on most phones and is similar in function to Band 71.
B66 (1700/2100 MHz) LTE

MetroPCS United States uses LTE Band 66, which operates at the frequency range of 1700/2100 MHz. This band is a paired frequency setup, meaning it uses both 1700 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies to provide service.
B71 (600 MHz) LTE

MetroPCS United States does not use LTE Band 71 (600 MHz). This band is exclusive to T-Mobile in the United States, and it is not available on MetroPCS.
B5 (850 MHz) LTE

MetroPCS United States uses LTE band B5 (850 MHz).

Supported LTE Protocols

Name Generation
LTE 4G

5G NR

Name Interface Description
N41 (2500 MHz) 5G NR

MetroPCS United States, now known as Metro by T-Mobile, uses the 5G NR frequency band n41 (2500 MHz). This band operates on a frequency range of 2496-2690 MHz and supports Time Division Duplexing (TDD) mode. It is primarily used for both uplink and downlink transmissions and is considered a mid-band frequency, offering a balance between range and capacity. The band is utilized by T-Mobile to provide better coverage and support more users, especially in rural areas, compared to lower-band frequencies like n71. It also supports carrier aggregation, higher order MIMO technology, and beamforming, which enhance network performance and offer good network coverage and capacity for high-speed data transfer and low-latency applications.
N71 (600 MHz) 5G NR

MetroPCS (United States) uses the 600 MHz frequency band, which is also known as Band 71. This band is primarily used for Extended 4G LTE and 5G cellular data. T-Mobile, the parent company of MetroPCS, has been using this band since 2017 to expand their coverage in remote areas. The 600 MHz frequency can travel very far from cell towers, providing reliable internet access in previously unreached areas. However, to access the 5G connection provided by this frequency, a 5G capable cellular router is required. Currently, there are very few such routers available to consumers at a reasonable price.
N258 (mmWave 26 GHz) 5G NR

MetroPCS United States uses 5G NR frequency band n258, which operates at 26 GHz. This band is part of the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum and is designed for high-speed, short-range transmission. The band is intended for providing high peak speeds in limited areas, such as outdoors, and is less effective for indoor coverage due to its high frequency and limited penetration through solid objects.
N260 (mmWave 39 GHz) 5G NR

MetroPCS United States uses the 5G NR band n260 (mmWave 39 GHz). This frequency band is used for millimeter-wave communication in 5G-NR networks. It operates in the 37,000 to 40,000 MHz range and supports channel bandwidths of 50, 100, 200, and 400 MHz. The band is intended for short-range transmission at high data rates, making it suitable for dense urban areas and indoor applications.
N261 (mmWave 28 GHz) 5G NR

MetroPCS United States uses frequency band 5G NR N261 (mmWave 28 GHz) for its 5G network. This band operates in the millimeter-wave range, specifically at 28 GHz, and is designed for short-range transmission with high data rates. It is intended to provide massive capacity over a very small area, but its signals can be blocked by solid objects like walls, glass, and leaves. The band is used to deliver high peak speeds in limited areas, such as stadiums and specific venues where high-capacity networks are required.

Latest updates