You Can Now Test T-Mobile's Network Using an App and eSIM

[davidjschloss]

There is this new invention called wifi calling, you should check it out.

Everyone is so judgmental. It's not unreasonable for a person to want their cell phone to function as a cell phone in their home. Yes, you can do wifi calling, but not everyone has good internet service or a good wifi router. I use WiFi calling here in my house on Verizon and the call quality is noticeably worse than a cell connection.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I'd rather they built some new towers than drive more customers to the few they have. My T-Mobile signal gets worse by the year.

 

[nikhsub1]

Everyone is so judgmental. It's not unreasonable for a person to want their cell phone to function as a cell phone in their home. Yes, you can do wifi calling, but not everyone has good internet service or a good wifi router. I use WiFi calling here in my house on Verizon and the call quality is noticeably worse than a cell connection.

Not sure how my response is judgmental...

 

[LeadingHeat]

This is amazing. Super smart on their part! I bet this will get a lot more people trying their network, if they get the word out enough.

 

[ph001bi]

i'm already a t-mobile customer, i wonder if i can get better service this way...

When this pandemic is over, that's roaming in the US sorted then. 30GB is way more than I ever gonna need.

 

[JeepGC]

Interesting. I'll have to try it but I don't think TMO has great service in my area.

 

[adamjackson]

I'm going to give it a shot. Not much to lose here and may convince me to switch when I buy an iPhone 13. I have zero cell service pretty much anywhere I live on Verizon. Doubt it'll be any better with T-Mobile but worth a try.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

i'm already a t-mobile customer, i wonder if i can get better service this way...

If that’s true, I’m saying goodbye to Visible.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

That's odd, so you basically get 30 days of free service over and over?

Not over and over. It will probably make you wait 90-150 days after the 30 day free service.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Exciting! I sent this note to my mom and several sisters:


“Install this app and follow instructions. Here’s a chance to see if the T-Mobile network is good in your area. If it is, you then know you can switch to T-Mobile if they have a better offer. (They are quite aggressive vs ATT and Verizon so they often do.)

How it works:

With this app, you can make use of the eSIM on your iPhone to test out T-Mobile’s network.

I arranged something similar for little sis and mom 5 or 6 years ago but at that time T-Mobile sent an iPhone with which to test. We concluded then that the T-Mobile network was not competitive (weak signal at home and in the hospital) with Verizon.

Since then T-Mobile has spent a fortune to implement new frequencies and antenna masts nationwide as well as buying the sprint network.

I’ve been thinking it was time for another test and now this app makes it a snap.

You install app. Activate thru your eSIM. In this way your Verizon number remains active. But you can test your telephony and cellular data performance over T-Mobile. (30 day test period. Temporary number, 5G network, unlimited calls. It runs alongside your Verizon number so you don’t miss any calls.)

I think with this way to check performance, folks will be switching so much that it will put downward pressure on prices which is good. But in the meanwhile you might find a decent cost saving by trying it.

Anybody not trying this is an idiot.”

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

That’s very good!

Hope AT&T and Verizon can follow through.

Me too. I use Visible which is Verizon and I don’t really want to switch because it’s a good service.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Exciting! I sent this note to my mom and several sisters:


“Install this app and follow instructions. Here’s a chance to see if the T-Mobile network is good in your area. If it is, you then know you can switch to T-Mobile if they have a better offer. (They are quite aggressive vs ATT and Verizon so they often do.)

How it works:

With this app, you can make use of the eSIM on your iPhone to test out T-Mobile’s network.

I arranged something similar for little sis and mom 5 or 6 years ago but at that time T-Mobile sent an iPhone with which to test. We concluded then that the T-Mobile network was not competitive (weak signal at home and in the hospital) with Verizon.

Since then T-Mobile has spent a fortune to implement new frequencies and antenna masts nationwide as well as buying the sprint network.

I’ve been thinking it was time for another test and now this app makes it a snap.

You install app. Activate thru your eSIM. In this way your Verizon number remains active. But you can test your telephony and cellular data performance over T-Mobile. (30 day test period. Temporary number, 5G network, unlimited calls. It runs alongside your Verizon number so you don’t miss any calls.)

I think with this way to check performance, folks will be switching so much that it will put downward pressure on prices which is good. But in the meanwhile you might find a decent cost saving by trying it.

Anybody not trying this is an idiot.

Okay I guess I’m an idiot.

 

[gte747e]

There is this new invention called wifi calling, you should check it out.

I wouldn't consider that necessarily new, but I do use that with my iPhone. Unfortunately, I do not have consistent internet or fast speeds so the call quality is impacted.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Welp… just tried this. I’m on VZW. I will NOT be switching to TMO!!! Barely get any signal if any (!!!) around my home (where I use the phone the most). IF I got a TMO signal (upstairs), it hovered around 1M or less down and 0.10 up. The map that came up during installation said I was in LTE-only land with FAIR reception…

So now you know. No skin off your nose. Try again in 6mo or a year to see if there is a new antenna in your area. Ps if you have WiFi at home, try WiFi calling and evaluate T-Mobile away from Home. You might find an advantage that way.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Okay I guess I’m an idiot.

Good that you know your limitations. Perhaps an idiot but an honest one. That’s the best kind. 😉

 

[travis64]

I wonder if i can test this out with my 5g ipad?

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Good that you know your limitations. Perhaps an idiot but an honest one. That’s the best kind. 😉

I’m guessing you’ve never heard of sarcasm.

 

[adamjackson]

Here's my area on T-Mobile:

And Verizon:

I can tell you for sure that Verizon has zero coverage at my house or on my entire drive to work which supposedly goes through 5G area. I don't even have 3G at my house.

 

[alexandr]

When this pandemic is over, that's roaming in the US sorted then. 30GB is way more than I ever gonna need.

sorry, what?

 

[alexandr]

If that’s true, I’m saying goodbye to Visible.

but their prices are lower though

 

[dannyyankou]

Good offer. I’m happy with Verizon’s coverage and speed though.

 

[mattopotamus]

Super easy process to set this up, took about 1 minute.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Does not work if you are a former customer of T-Mobile. I am currently on Verizon and had T-Mobile service about five years ago. Tried to use the app to see if it worked better in my current city and it would not let me test.

That would be a crazy limitation. Assuming you moved because the T-Mobile network was inadequate to your needs, and given their efforts at modernization and expansion I would think they would like to win you back by showing they’re now competitive.

 

[Channan]

Everyone is so judgmental. It's not unreasonable for a person to want their cell phone to function as a cell phone in their home. Yes, you can do wifi calling, but not everyone has good internet service or a good wifi router. I use WiFi calling here in my house on Verizon and the call quality is noticeably worse than a cell connection.

More importantly, not everyone has Wi-Fi at home.

 

[gaximus]

I'd switch but for two (2) things...
a) Coverage (e.g., voice, data, 5G, etc.). --Los Angeles metro/county, anyone?
b) T-Mobile can't beat the first responders/teachers discount on ATT.

a) Not sure about LA, but where I live, since 5G became available I have about 2 extra bars everywhere.
b) My retired military discount with T-mobile, give me 4 lines, unlimited everything (no throttling), plus Netflix for $103 a month, after taxes and all fees.