Cricket Wireless Coverage Map

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T-Mobile + MetroPCS Is Good For Consumers

A MetroPCS (NYSE: PCS) and T-Mobile USA owned by Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DTEGY) merger makes a lot of sense for the following reasons.  Here are 10 reasons this would be good for consumers.  

1. Keep the integrity of a discount carrier intact.  
2. MetroPCS has LTE spectrum that T-Mobile USA could use.
3. More purchasing scale 43M customers (MetroPCS 9M + T-Mobile 34M)
4. T-Mobile & MetroPCS have dead zone coverage gaps both can fill.
5. Consumer friendly unlimited data plans would likely continue at both companies. 
6. Fewer competing customers on a network = less data congestion.
7. Consumers might have the option of using a GSM or CDMA 3G phones.
8. T-Mobile HSPA+ 4G is very fast and the network is not congested.
9. MetroPCS 4G LTE is very fast and the network is not congested.
10. MetroPCS has been very aggressive using femtocell and DAS to improve coverage.

Deutsche Telekom is considering a stock swap transaction. However, I would support raising more capital in a T-Mobile USA IPO after the acquisition. MetroPCS shares jumped almost 30% instantly on the deal and currently has a market capitalization of around $3 billion.  MetroPCS seems to have plenty of cash in the bank of $2B and has annual revenue of approximately $5B.  So the combination would appear to be a strategy combining entities to have more scale for handset purchasing and spectrum allocation.  Considering the closest competitor is AT&T and Verizon who each have 90 to 100M+ subscribers.

MetroPCS has began deploying their LTE network before Verizon. MetroPCS is currently built around a CDMA 3G voice network and would be incompatible with T-Mobile’s GSM/HSPA network. However, in the future T-Mobile could use MetroPCS's LTE channels.  Reuters reported in an article "MetroPCS and T-Mobile are not a good technological or customer fit, one analyst said".   MetroPCS is a CDMA carrier in 3G and T-Mobile is a GSM carrier.  However, LTE is LTE and new handsets should be cross carrier compatible if the industry does the consumers right.

A combination of Leap Wireless 7M subscribers also makes sense in the future but right now LTE spectrum is more important to T-Mobile I would bet.

Related Articles:
Where is MetroPCS Expanding Coverage?

Throttling vs Network Optimization of Traffic

Data Throttling vs Network Optimization of Traffic

The widespread use of smartphones, tablets and other sophisticated mobile devices – coupled with accelerating consumption of rich multimedia applications such as streaming video, live TV, social media, and instant video chat – is driving operators' evolution to LTE and other 4G network architectures for delivering mobile data services. Bytemobile's latest Mobile Analytics Report indicates that a tablet already generates three times the data volume generated by a comparable smartphone. With next-generation technology, including faster networks and larger devices supporting higher-resolution videos, the data generated from a single YouTube clip could increase by five times. Managing network capacity has become not only the single most important business challenge for operators and many are using different techniques.

Throttling mobile data is a method by reducing the speed of packets delivered to the user on the network.  Throttling is typically done when a user has exceeded the amount of data in a plan or is congesting the network by downloading too much video or content in an area.

Network optimization is a different technique used by the carriers.  It involves caching and compression to reduce the strain on the network.  The goal is to not reduced the user experience while preserving bandwidth on the network.

Bytemobile® Smart Capacity™ platforms enable mobile operators to deliver the best possible experience to their subscribers under all network conditions and to differentiate their services based on subscriber usage. The company's solutions have been deployed in the mobile networks of more than 130 operators worldwide to manage escalating demand for capacity due to video and other rich multimedia content and applications. With Smart Capacity, mobile operators can improve utilization of existing capacity and control operating expenses, while increasing revenue growth and profitability. Bytemobile is the industry leader in video optimization with 50 operators under contract.

Byte Mobile's US customers include: AT&T laptop division, Metro PCS, Alltel, Cricket and Sprint.  Verizon & T-Mobile are not currently customers and may be using a different method of detecting high data volume users and throttling them instead.  MetroPCS is the most widely deployed customer in the US to date.

ByteMobile competitors in include Flash Networks, Open Wave, Cisco, Ericsson, Allot, Sandvine.

To learn more, visit Bytemobile.com.

Cricket Wireless Coverage Map

Cricket Wireless Coverage Map

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Cricket Wireless is a prepaid wireless service provider in the United States. Here are some key features of Cricket Wireless:

Plans: Cricket Wireless offers a variety of prepaid cell phone plans to suit different needs. Their plans typically include unlimited talk, text, and data, with different data speed options and data allowances to choose from. They have both individual and family plans available.

Coverage: Cricket Wireless operates on the network infrastructure of AT&T, providing nationwide coverage across the United States. They leverage AT&T's network to offer reliable coverage in many areas, including both urban and rural regions.

No Contracts: Cricket Wireless operates on a no-contract basis, meaning you're not tied to any long-term commitments or agreements. This gives customers the flexibility to change plans or cancel service without penalties.

Data Speeds: Depending on the plan you choose, Cricket Wireless offers different data speeds. Their plans include options for 4G LTE speeds, which provide faster data connections for activities such as streaming videos or downloading files.

Data Usage: Cricket Wireless plans have a data allowance, and once you reach your allotted data amount, your data speeds may be temporarily reduced for the remainder of the billing cycle. However, Cricket Wireless also offers data add-ons that allow you to purchase additional high-speed data if needed.

Device Selection: Cricket Wireless offers a selection of smartphones for purchase, including budget-friendly options and popular flagship devices. They also support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, allowing customers to use their own compatible devices on the network.

Cricket International: Cricket Wireless provides international calling options and features. They have add-ons or separate plans for international calling and messaging, as well as options for international roaming in certain countries.

Customer Service: Cricket Wireless offers customer support through various channels, including online chat, phone support, and in-store assistance at Cricket Wireless retail locations.

It's worth noting that coverage maps and network performance may vary, so it's always advisable to check the coverage available in your specific area before choosing a wireless service provider.

If you are interested in Cricket Wireless services, you can visit their official website or contact their customer service for more information on their current plans, offerings, and available devices.

False Advertising of Cell Service Availability

David (deadzones.com) vs. Goliath (carriers)

After some increased blogger and social media exposure in rural areas of the US, we have started to notice a groundswell data from customers located in smaller US cities who are falling victim to continued false advertising from mainly the bigger carriers Verizon and AT&T.  We have decided to focus our efforts and begin exposing these areas more prominently in our blog and on Twitter @deadzones to show where consumers are getting screwed.  Our goal is to raise the level of exposure in these neglected smaller cities in order to help improve service in the local area.  The following towns and cities are just some of the areas listed on dead zones map in the last 90 days that specifically highlight that Verizon's Coverage Map is making false claims.

Where Do Verizon's Coverage Maps Lie?
Olinda, California - "No service Verizon even though the coverage map says excellent coverage"
Gresham, Michigan - "Dead zone your coverage maps are a lie"
Bridger, Montana - "Map shows coverage, the whole town is a dead zone."
Madison, North Carolina - "How does Verizon get away with their coverage maps that certainly do not reflect actual coverage???"
Lake Mack Forrest Hills, Florida  - "Bad inside and outside. It was the same with Sprint, but Sprint's coverage map showed I would have trouble Verizon's coverage map shows I should have a full signal. Verizon wants to blame the phone I am using they are FOS."

Verizon Consumer Generated Coverage Map

Why have we picked on Verizon? Because they are the most aggressive about hyping their coverage maps and someone needs to make them accountable to their claims. We will get to AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and others as well in due time. Here are links to other carriers coverage maps that we recommend you check before claiming their coverage maps lie on our site: AT&T Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, Tracfone, Alltel, US Cellular, Cricket Comm, Qwest Wireless, Metro PCS