Have you got an unlocked AT&T or T-Mobile handset, and are currently looking for an inexpensive carrier for your smartphone? Look no further because mobile virtual network operator Ting has just announced that its GSM network service is now in "open beta." This means that you will not need an invite to be able to sign up for this service.
Having an open beta GSM network service means that Ting will likely support any mobile device that users already have or want to own. Indeed, Ting's GSM Sim card (priced at $9) lets the MVNO work with most types of handsets that are available in the United States. This does not only include phones originally bought from GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, but also devices purchased from Verizon Wireless and Sprint that support T-Mobile frequencies.
The only thing that customers need to make sure is that the handset they want to bring to Ting must be unlocked. Of course, if the customer does not currently own a handset, or does not want to get one from retailers like Best Buy or Amazon, they can always buy directly from Ting, which also offers a good range of new handsets, even including the iPhone 6.
Before, Ting only utilized Sprint networks exclusively. The result was that users who wanted to bring their devices to Ting were restricted to old Sprint handsets. However, for its GSM network service, Ting will likely be buying capacity from T-Mobile. Also, the carrier will not be letting go of its CDMA network, which means that customers will be able to make full use of faster LTE data on both networks, although not on the same handset simultaneously. GSM and CDMA handsets will be able to share a single account on Ting.
Compared with other MVNOs, Ting has a rather unique structure in its pricing and services. It does not bundle inclusions like minutes or data allotments. Instead, it goes for a pay-only-for-what-you-consume approach in its plans. This approach certainly provides an advantage for users who do not necessarily fall on a specific category of usage. For instance, if you are the type of user who consumes a lot of data but almost always do not send text messages, Ting will only charge you for the data you used up and the amount of text messages you have sent over the course of a single billing cycle.
Of course, because its GSM network service is on open beta phase for now, it is bound to have a few kinks here and there. For example, it does not support international dialling or international roaming. But if you ever find yourself in another country, you can just simply insert a local SIM card to your unlocked handset.
