T-Mobile is one of the largest mobile operators in the U.S. with over 100 million customers worldwide. T-Mobile merged with SunCom Wireless and is based in Bellevue, Washington. It offers a wide array of voice and data services for both domestic and international calling needs. The company's tagline, "Stick Together", encourages consumers from all walks of life to live, work and play using their advanced wireless services.

Prepaid Plans

There are different prepaid plans offered by T-Mobile Prepaid. The Pay By The Day plan offers unlimited nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m for only an additional of $1.00 per day and it is charged only on the days you use your phone. Domestic calls outside of the unlimited nights are charged 10 cents per minute. The Pay As You Go plans offer a fixed charge for a certain bucket minutes: $100 for 1000 minutes, $50 for 400 minutes, $25 for 130 minutes, and $10 for 30 minutes. If you take advantage of the Gold Rewards promo, you get 15% more minutes every time you refill $100. The Sidekick Prepaid plan is applicable for data usage. You get unlimited email, internet, and text messaging for only $1.00 per day. The rate for domestic calls on this plan is 15 cents per minute.

Pros and Cons

With T-Mobile Prepaid, you can enjoy wireless services without annual contracts, monthly bills or credit checks. You simply refill your minutes online or through retailers in order to use your phone. The rates get expensive when you buy refill cards lower than $100.00. For example, you're paying almost 20 cents per minute with a twenty five dollar refill card.

Features

Minutes The rates per minute vary depending on the plan you choose. Pay By the Day has the standard 10 cents per minute on all domestic calls which are not covered by the Unlimited Nights. The Pay As You Go has four refill cards to choose from and the minutes included goes higher as you purchase a card with a higher denomination. The Sidekick Prepaid costs 15 cents per minute on all domestic calls.

Data With the Sidekick Prepaid plan, you can access your emails, browse the web, send text messages and use instant messaging for only an additional of $1.00 per day.

Text and picture Plans other than the Sidekick Prepaid plan charges 10 cents for sending text messages and 5 cents for receiving. Sending pictures costs 25 cents for both sending and receiving.

International When calling to a country outside of the U.S., additional charges apply. The lowest rate is $0.40 per minute. Check the website the rates to specific countries.

Calling Features Calling features include voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and three-way calling. Airtime charges may apply when retrieving voicemail, using calling waiting, and when making a conference call.

Long distance Nationwide long distance is included on all plans of T-Mobile Prepaid.

911 Yes.

Payment Options

Accounts can be refilled using the phone's menu or by calling a number. Subscribers may also visit a retail store or authorized dealers. Payment options include credit and debit cards, check and cash.

Roaming charge

All T-Mobile Prepaid plans include free nationwide roaming.

Activation fee

Minute expiration rules

Minutes purchased on cards lower than $100 expire within 90 days. But $100 refill cards will extend the service for one year.

Customer Service

Customer service can be contacted through a toll-free number, email or participating retail stores.

Available T-Mobile Prepaid phone models are Nokia 1208, Motorola V195, Nokia 1680, Samsung t109, Samsung t219, Samsung Black Stripe, Nokia 2760, and Nokia 2610.