RFSTUF

MetroPCS expands both 4G and 2G coverageBy Kevin Fitchard.com
Regional operator launches nationwide unlimited roaming while beating VZW, Sprint and Clearwire to Los Angeles to become LA's first 4G operator
...MetroPCS is now the only 4G service provider in two major markets, LA and Detroit, though the service it offers differs considerably from the WiMax access offered by Sprint and Clearwire and the LTE plans VZW will offer later this year. Rather than focus on 4G's enormous broadband potential, MetroPCS is building a lower-capacity LTE network as a stand-in for 3G, offering feature phone and smartphone services that closely mirror the tier 1 operator's 3G services today. ...
...Unlike its tier I competitors, MetroPCS does not subsidize its handsets, which would leave its typically budget-minded customers on the hook for a hefty price tag if they want to buy one of Metro's smartphones. Metro's low-cost voice and data plans-some as cheap as $55 a month-though would offset much of those costs. Linquist also pointed out that device cost was not a significant barrier for Metro's customers as they took up high-end feature phones in the last two years. As smartphone costs become less prohibitive, it will be only natural for smartphones to scale down to the prepaid market, he said. ...