What MetroPCS Communications Inc does

MetroPCS Communications Inc, founded in 1994, is a US prepaid wireless telecommunications carrier that operates today under the brand Metro by T-Mobile. Following its 2013 acquisition by T-Mobile US (majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom) and 2018 rebranding, the company functions as T-Mobile's flagship prepaid subsidiary, delivering mobile voice, text, and data services over T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network infrastructure. Metro serves budget-conscious consumers and families seeking no-contract wireless connectivity, with plans priced from $20 to $60 per month plus a $45/month 5G Home Internet offering. The company is headquartered in Richardson, Texas, employs 10,000+ people, and distributes through online e-commerce, physical retail stores, phone sales (1-888-8METRO-8), and the myMetro self-serve app.

The product portfolio consists of tiered unlimited 5G plans differentiated by price point, data priority, hotspot allowances, and bundled perks (Amazon Prime on the $60 tier, Google One 100GB cloud storage, T-Mobile Tuesdays weekly rewards). Core technology leverages T-Mobile's 5G network with no proprietary infrastructure build, supplemented by 5G fixed wireless access for home broadband. The business model is subscription-recurring prepaid ARPU plus hardware sales (smartphones, gateways), with device financing through Affirm BNPL (0-36% APR) and a device trade-in program. Differentiators include the 5-year price guarantee on eligible plans, free flagship phone promotions (iPhone 16e, Samsung Galaxy A17 5G) tied to qualifying activations, and zero activation fees on most plans.

Metro by T-Mobile does not report standalone revenue as a brand/subsidiary of T-Mobile US; its financial performance is consolidated within T-Mobile's prepaid segment. The company's historical capital structure includes two disclosed funding rounds — $350M in July 2001 (led by M/C Partners) and $739M in October 2005 (led by Madison Dearborn Partners and TA Associates) — both predating the T-Mobile merger. Leadership includes Roger Linquist (co-founder and former CEO), Braxton Carter (Vice Chairman), Thomas C. Keys (President and COO), and Scott Tobin (Director).

Name

MetroPCS Communications Inc

Legal name

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Website

https://metropcs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS) is a US prepaid wireless carrier serving budget-conscious consumers and families on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network, offering plans from $20-$60/month, no contracts, a 5-year price guarantee, and 5G home internet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Richardson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Prepaid Mobile Services: Monthly prepaid wireless service revenue from voice, text, and data plans. Customers prepay for service on a monthly basis with various plan tiers ranging from $20 to $60 per month. No long-term contracts required.
2. Device Sales: Revenue from selling smartphones and devices, including flagship devices like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones offered free or at discounted prices with plan subscriptions. Also sells gateways for home internet service.
3. Home Internet Service: 5G Home Internet service at $45/month with AutoPay, providing fixed wireless internet to households in eligible areas.
4. Add-on Services: Optional add-on services including Mexico & Canada unlimited calling for $5/month, device financing through Affirm, and premium plan add-ons.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid wireless carrier offering unlimited 5G talk, text, and data plans on T-Mobile's nationwide network, with monthly service tiers ranging from $20 to $60 plus AutoPay. It also sells smartphones and connected devices, provides 5G Home Internet service at $45/month, and bundles value-added benefits such as T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards, Amazon Prime on premium plans, and device trade-in and financing programs. The offering targets budget-conscious consumers seeking no-contract, credit-check-free wireless service.

Product overview

Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid wireless service provider operating as a subsidiary of T-Mobile US. The offering is structured as a single unified prepaid mobile service brand offering multiple pricing tiers ($20-$60/month) on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network. The product portfolio includes core cell phone plans with varying data allowances (unlimited 5G, hotspot data), device financing options, and complementary services like 5G Home Internet, T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards, device trade-in programs, and international calling add-ons. Plans feature a 5-year price guarantee and are designed for budget-conscious consumers seeking affordable prepaid wireless service with modern smartphone options including free phone promotions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metro by T-Mobile Prepaid Wireless Service Prepaid wireless phone service operating on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network, offering affordable cell phone plans with unlimited talk, text, and 5G data to U.S. consumers.
• $25/month Unlimited 5G Plan Most affordable unlimited 5G plan at $25/month with AutoPay, including unlimited talk, text, and 5G data plus T-Mobile Tuesdays benefits under a 5-year price guarantee.
• $50/month Plan with Upgrades Popular unlimited 5G plan at $50/month with AutoPay including 8GB hotspot data, phone upgrades after 12 months, and 5-year price guarantee, with family pricing at $30/line for 4 lines.
• $60/month Premium Plan Premium unlimited 5G plan at $60/month with AutoPay including unlimited premium 5G data, Amazon Prime, HD video streaming, phone upgrades, 25GB hotspot, and tablet/watch lines for $5/month when bringing a device, with 5-year price guarantee.
• 5G Home Internet 5G-based home internet service at $45/month with AutoPay, providing fast, reliable internet via 5G cellular network with a 5-year price guarantee and a $49.99 gateway device. Requires an active Metro voice line for at least 30 days.
• Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Free Phone Offer Samsung Galaxy A17 5G offered free with activation on the $40/month Period plan via instant discount at checkout plus any applicable sales tax, representing $250+ in savings when combined with the waived activation fee.
• Apple iPhone 16e ON US Promotion Apple iPhone 16e offered at $99.99 with instant discount plus a $100 virtual prepaid Mastercard after the third month of service on a qualifying plan (eligible plans start at $55 first month and $50 with AutoPay).

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-year price guarantee ensures rate stability for customers
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• T-MobilecoreTechnology or IntegrationMetro by T-Mobile operates as a subsidiary brand of T-Mobile, utilizing T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network infrastructure for all wireless services. The company runs on T-Mobile's network, which is marketed as 'America's Best Network' based on Ookla Speedtest analysis.
• AmazonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Prime membership is included with the $60/month premium plan, providing customers with Prime benefits including streaming content and free shipping. This partnership adds value to the premium tier plan.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle One 100GB cloud storage and phone backup is offered as a benefit to Android device users. Also features Google Gemini integration on Samsung Galaxy devices.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mint Mobile: Prepaid MVNO now owned by T-Mobile US, offering low-cost plans on T-Mobile's network. A direct value-segment competitor that increasingly overlaps with Metro within the same parent company.
• Visible: Verizon-owned digital-first prepaid wireless brand offering unlimited plans on Verizon's network. Comparable to Metro as a value-priced prepaid brand sold primarily online without retail overhead.
• Consumer Cellular: Value-oriented wireless carrier with an AARP partnership, targeting older and budget-conscious consumers on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Comparable to Metro's value-segment positioning with a different demographic skew.
• Cricket Wireless: AT&T-owned prepaid wireless brand offering no-contract plans with nationwide coverage. Competes directly with Metro in the budget-conscious prepaid segment, including family multi-line plans.
• Straight Talk: Walmart-distributed prepaid wireless brand owned by Tracfone/Verizon. Competes directly with Metro in the no-contract, multi-network prepaid space with similar price points and device offerings.
• Google Fi: Google's wireless service operating on T-Mobile and other carrier networks. A direct competitor to Metro in the prepaid/no-contract space with a digital-native, tech-forward positioning.
• Boost Mobile: Prepaid wireless carrier offering no-contract plans on T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Boost is Metro's closest direct competitor in the prepaid value segment, with overlapping target customers and similar product positioning.

Broad incumbents

• T-Mobile US: Parent company and nationwide postpaid wireless carrier. Operates the network Metro runs on and also sells its own prepaid offerings (including Mint), making it the most important broad incumbent shaping Metro's market context.
• Verizon: Major US wireless carrier owning multiple prepaid brands (Visible, Tracfone, Straight Talk). A broad incumbent whose prepaid portfolio directly competes with Metro for budget-conscious customers.
• Tracfone: Verizon-owned prepaid wireless conglomerate operating multiple prepaid brands (Straight Talk, Total Wireless, Page Plus). Functions as a broad incumbent across the prepaid category that Metro operates within.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MetroPCS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/metrobytmobile
• Facebookfacebook.com/metropcs
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrobytmobile
• TikToktiktok.com/@metrobytmobile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MetroPCS Communications Inc