T-Mobile owned MVNO MetroPCS has just increased the amount of data included with its $30 phone plan. Previously customers on the plan got unlimited talk, text and data with the first 1 GB at 4G LTE speeds. The updated plan now contains 2 GB of high speed data.
MetroPCS is also offering a group discount on the plan, which gives customers two lines for $50/month. That's not a too bad of a deal for unlimited talk, text and 2 GB of data per line. You can see how it compares to other plans at that price point by viewing this list of cheap cell phone plans with at least 500 MB of data.
Unfortunately, MetroPCS did not change around any of its other prepaid plans. At some point I'd imagine the companies $40 plan will also see a big increase in the amount of data that it includes. Currently, it comes with just 3 GB of high speed data, which is not very competitive compared to prepaid plans from other networks such as AT&T whose $40 GoPhone plan includes 6GB of data. T-Mobile's network still isn't as robust as AT&T's, so I'd like to see more data at that price point from MetroPCS to compensate. MetroPCS's plans do at least include Music Unlimited, which allows customers to stream audio from numerous providers without having it count against their high speed data cap.
With the new plan change to MetroPCS, their current phone plan lineup looks like this:
MetroPCS Latest Cell Phone Plans
| Plan/Features | Price |
|---|
 |
Talk: Unlimited
Text: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited GB
Mobile Hotspot: No
Special Features: - For BYOD only with number port, available online and in stores
- Video streams at up to 2.5Mbps around DVD quality 480p.
- Global calling to over 210 countries is available for $10/month which also includes unlimited texting to select countries.
- Instant activation via eSIM
- If you change devices after signing up you may be subjected to a $25/line device change/activation fee
- Includes Magenta Status (T-Mobile Tuesdays) perks
- Includes VIX Premium free for one year
- After 35GB of data is consumed during a billing cycle you may experience further reduced data speeds when the network is busy
| $25 |
| |
Talk: Unlimited
Text: Unlimited
Data: 5 GB
Mobile Hotspot: No
Special Features: - Plan is available online only, when you get a new phone number from Metro by T-Mobile AND bring your own device
- Data Maximizer-reduces video streams to DVD quality of about 480p and up to 2.5Mbps. Global calling to over 210 countries is available for $10/month and includes unlimited texting to select countries.
- Instant activation via eSIM
- If you change devices after signing up you may be subjected to a $25/line device change/activation fee
- Includes Magenta Status, formerly T-Mobile Tuesdays for additional perks
- Add extra data, $5 for 2GB
| $30 |
| |
Talk: Unlimited
Text: Unlimited
Data: 10 GB
Mobile Hotspot: No
Special Features: - Video streams to DVD quality or a resolution of about 480p.
- International texting with global calling add-on for $10.
- Full service roaming while in Mexico for $5/month, includes unlimited calling and texting to and from Mexico as well as 5GB high speed data usage.
- Includes Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID
- $45 first month, $40 every month after with autopay billing enabled
| $40 |
| |
Talk: Unlimited
Text: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited GB
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Special Features: - Includes 8GB of hotspot
- Includes subscription to Google One with 100GB of storage
- Data Maximizer-reduces video streams to DVD quality of about 480p so your data lasts longer.
- During times of heavy network congestion speeds may be temporarily slowed if more than 35GB of data consumed in a billing cycle.
- Add international texting with global calling for $10.
- Full service roaming while in Mexico for $5/month, includes calling and texting to and from Mexico as well as data usage.
- Includes 1 year of ViX+ streaming subscription for free
- eSIM activation available
- Stay on the plan for 12 months, trade in a working phone, and get the same deals as new customers on select phones. Valid on up to 4 lines. The longer you wait to upgrade, the more phone options will be available.
- If you get a discounted phone as a new customer and switch to a lesser plan during your first 6 months of service you’ll have to pay $50 to change plans.
- $55 for the first month, $50 every month thereafter as long as you enable autopay billing
| $50 |
| |
Talk: Unlimited
Text: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited GB
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Special Features: - Includes 25GB of hotspot
- Includes subscription to Google One with 100GB of storage
- Data Maximizer-reduces video streams to DVD quality of about 480p so your data lasts longer.
- During times of heavy network congestion speeds may be temporarily slowed if more than 35GB of data consumed in a billing cycle.
- Unlimited texting to 210+ countries
- Full service roaming while in Mexico for $5/month, includes calling and texting to and from Mexico as well as data usage.
- Includes 1 year of ViX+ streaming subscription for free
- eSIM activation available
- Stay on the plan for 12 months, trade in a working phone, and get the same deals as new customers on select phones. Valid on up to 4 lines. The longer you wait to upgrade, the more phone options will be available.
- If you get a discounted phone as a new customer and switch to a lesser plan during your first 6 months of service you’ll have to pay $50 to change plans.
- $65 for the first month, $60 every month thereafter as long as you enable autopay billing
| $60 |
| |
Talk: Unlimited
Text: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited GB
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Special Features: - Includes 25GB of hotspot
- Includes subscription to Google One with 100GB of storage
- Includes Amazon Prime subscription
- Data Maximizer-reduces video streams to DVD quality of about 480p so your data lasts longer.
- During times of heavy network congestion speeds may be temporarily slowed if more than 35GB of data consumed in a billing cycle.
- Unlimited texting to 210+ countries
- Full service roaming while in Mexico for $5/month, includes calling and texting to and from Mexico as well as data usage.
- Includes 1 year of ViX+ streaming subscription for free
- eSIM activation available
- Stay on the plan for 12 months, trade in a working phone, and get the same deals as new customers on select phones. Valid on up to 4 lines. The longer you wait to upgrade, the more phone options will be available.
- If you get a discounted phone as a new customer and switch to a lesser plan during your first 6 months of service you’ll have to pay $50 to change plans.
- $75 for the first month, $70 every month thereafter as long as you enable autopay billing
| $70 |
Unfortunately, MetroPCS went back to 1GB per line for the $30 plan and eliminated the $5 discount per line on a family plan. Now, if you have two lines you pay $60 and get 1GB per line. They increased the discount on the higher family plans, I believe.