About Metro PCS and Cricket Wireless
Metro PCS and Cricket Wireless: Metro is a wireless prepaid service provider formerly known as Metro PCS. T-Mobile U.S. owns it, and its service was first launched in 2002. It currently offers 31 smartphones and 4 data plans. It can be used throughout the United States, and one can talk text, or exchange data using this service. One can use its plans on 4G LTE network, HSPA, GSM and HSPA+. It currently has around 32 million subscribers. Cricket Wireless is also a wireless service provider in the United States. AT&T owns the company, and it also provides services across the country. One can text, call or exchange data services using this service. The company is one of the largest Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). It is known for its strategies to save money and use a substantial marketing budget.
There are a lot of similarities between the two of them. However, there are a lot of grounds on which a comparison can be drawn between the two. In this article, we’ve tried to compare the two based on their plans, phone options, data speed, call and text performance and, network coverage.In terms of plans and pricing, Cricket Wireless is better than Metro PCS because Cricket is more affordable, and one can save money using family plans. Metro is better in terms of data speed.Cricket has slightly better coverage than Metro, but there’s not much difference between the two.
Metro PCS vs. Cricket Wireless
- Plans and Pricing
Metro PCS offers several plans, including unlimited data, calls, and texts. It also offers add-on services that do not have annual contracts. It offers an unlimited plan starting at $ 50 per month for a single line, which becomes cheaper with the additional usage of plans. Cricket, on the other hand, offers four plans to choose from. However, family plans with up to five lines can help users save money. For example, its 2 GB plan costs $ 30 per month for a single line and $ 150 for five lines.
- Phone Options
Metro gives its customer two options to choose from. The users can either bring their phones or purchase a GSM device compatible with the carriers. One has to go to their store to purchase their product. Cricket Wireless offers more or less the same services. However, one can purchase their products online as well. Therefore, in this regard, both Metro and Cricket are similar.
- Data Speed
Metro PCS has been tested a couple of times and offers a better speed. Its average download speed is 18.8 Mbps, and its average upload speed is 113 Mbps. This is a great speed considering that people nowadays use streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, which have become more convenient. On the other hand, Cricket does not have a faster data transmission rate.
- Call and Text Performance
Since Metro runs on a T-Mobile network, one must ensure that they have a strong T-Mobile network connection before switching. The user might not access calls or text messages when they are in an area where a good network isn’t available. In the case of Cricket, it gets its network from AT&T so that the network quality may be compromised. Both AT&T and T-Mobile both prioritize their users during high seasons.
- Network Coverage
Metro PCS was initially available in just two states of the United States; however, its coverage has increased with time. It runs on a T-Mobile network and requires towers to increase its coverage. In addition, users can access nationwide 5G coverage. Cricket uses AT&T’s network and therefore has the same coverage as AT&T.
Conclusion
Both Mobile PCS and Cricket Wireless are some of the largest wireless service providers in the U.S. Both the service providers have their advantages and disadvantages. Cricket is primarily recognized for its coverage since it is owned by one of the largest carriers in the country. However, Metro PCS is known for its data speed. Nevertheless, both of them are more or less similar. It is up to the customer which one they should go for depending upon availability, location, convenience, usability, and other factors. The best way for a user to find out which network is better suited for them is to try both out and select the one they find is better based on their convenience and satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which service providers are competitors of Metro PCS and Cricket Wireless?
A few service providers are a competition to Metro PCS and Cricket Wireless. Some of them are Republic Wireless, FreedomPop, Tello, and Ting.
2. What are some of the advantages of Metro PCS and Cricket Wireless?
Metro PCS has fast downloaded and uploading speed, provides a $ 5 discount on every additional line, and stream music is free of cost from the user’s data allowance. In addition, cricket Wireless can help users save money through family packs, allows free texting to 38 countries, and takes no activation fees if the users order online.
