T-Mobile launches GoSmart prepaid service
updated 04:35 pm EST, Tue February 19, 2013
Unlimited web, throttled speeds
T-Mobile has quietly launched a prepaid cellular service marketed under the brand GoSmart Mobile. As noted by Reuters, the Deutsche Telekom division has partnered with smaller player MetroPCS to rival prepaid services offered by US competitors. GoSmart takes a slightly different approach than other services, however, bringing unlimited usage but throttling the data speeds on the cheapest plan.
For $35 per month, users can take advantage of unlimited talk, text and web browsing, but the web speed is only "appropriate for web browsing, e-mail and social networking." Paying $45 per month steps up to "3G speeds," however the data rates drop down to 2G speeds after the user exceeds 5GB. If data isn't necessary, $30 still nets unlimited texts and calling.
The company also attempts to differentiate itself with several optional services aimed at users who frequently contact people outside of the US. Adding $5 per month provides unlimited texting to more than 200 countries, while $10 per month adds the same international texting capabilities and unlimited landline calling to over 50 countries.
GoSmart appears to be geared for users who bring their own unlocked GSM phone, though the company does offer entry-level Alcatel and ZTE handsets for $49 and $99, respectively.
