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AT&Tmo Alternatives: If you're considering SIMPLE MOBILE, I found snags: DATACAPS, 1G

It seemed too good to be true when someone suggested that an alternative to the new AT&TMO merged carrier in USA might be this month-by-month pay as you go carrier that used TMO's same network -- "Simple Mobile" at

http://mySimpleMobile.com

I couldn't believe such a thing even existed: "bring your own GSM phone, buy our SIM card, use it on our network" ... at 4G speeds, with 3G coverage across 90% of USA, and 4G in maybe 50 cities now and growing out.

So I went and did my homework, figured out what kind of beast they were first off, whose network, how it worked, etc..(They're essentially resellers of bandwidth on TMO's network; the good news being: it IS TMO's network!).. And then I read customer reviews.

In truth, the reviews are glowing with TWO MAJOR EXCEPTIONS: The second doesn't bother me: Bad customer service. My view there is: "What do you expect? They're not a full service carrier, they're a discounter. I would expect nothing less than minimal to non-existent phone support" ... And my followup view is: I've become trained to not having good phone support, unfortunately, and further, when I consider AT&T? They HAVE phone people, and they are the most retarded live help organization I think on the planet. I'd just as soon talk to a web form.

But here's the deal-breaker: The claim is $40/month you get blah, $50 you get blah+, and at $60/month you get unlimited voice, text and web. Come to find out "unlimited" actually means 1 GB per month. People who use the web a lot, in the reviews, say that's outrageous, and it's never once disclosed anywhere.

There is one other complaint I read that I wasn't sure I got properly, so don't rely upon this, but if you're looking into this service, check inot this if relevant to you: Person said they don't use/ can't use "short codes" ... so, that's it.

For those NOT using huge web access, people are thrilled. It's blazing fast 4G, much cheaper than TMO and everyone else, but the TMO network.

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And now some tech stuff I pulled:

Simple Mobile is classified as a

MVNO - mobile virtual network operator

whereas TMO is a mobile network operator (MNO)

A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a company that provides mobile phone services but does not have its own licensed frequency allocation of radio spectrum, nor does it necessarily have all of the infrastructure required to provide mobile telephone service; roughly equivalent to the "switchless resellers" of the traditional landline telephone market; an entity or company that works independently of the mobile network operator and can set its own pricing structures that are subject to the rates agreed with the MNO.

*** This DEFINITELY raises the question: If TMO becomes owned by AT&T, what becomes of Simple Mobile's network and agreements. Especially if they have no customer contracts, but rather only have month to month billing.

*** I know this is not directly relevant, but it is relational: while I was searching around to see about how SM operates, I saw this link at google: This alleged cell-phone-tower leasing expert is advising people who lease cell towers to T-mobile to try to sell their leases so they don't get burned if the deal goes through, citing there will be some redundancies.

http://www.cell-tower-leases.com/ATT-T-Mobile-Merger.html

*** But then given AT&T is doing this whole deal principally FOR the very network itself, I don't know and so shouldn't speculate since i am not an engineer.

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Now, Links re customer ratings and reviews of Simple Mobile service:

http://www.prepaidreviews.com/simplemobile.html

This one discusses the so called unlimited which turns out is CAPPED:

Simple Mobile limits unlimited data plan

This one talks about the 4G network:

http://www.prepaidreviews.com/blog/simple-mobile/simple-mobile-to-use-t-mobiles-hspa-network-36278/#...

THIS shows a video someone made showing how to set up your iphone for MMS and data settings on Simple Mobile network:

http://sjkm.com/videos-apple-iphone-simple-mobile-internet-settings-[jmB6cdJUYv8].cfm

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Hope this was helpful. ..

If you HAVE this service, or are considering it, please tell us your thoughts.