Small regional MVNO i wireless has snuck in a nationwide, available-to-everyone T-Mobile-powered plan that rivals Boost Mobile’s $50 unlimited plan. And no, you can’t say that three times fast, we tried.
We’ve noted i wireless in the past for being one of the only notable T-Mobile MVNOs. They are especially notable because they do not advertise outside of the state of Iowa, and act in-state as an affiliate provider. However, they are licensed to sell phones nationwide, and do so on their web site.
That’s key to today’s turn of events. The company is now offering a prepaid $50 plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and web. That means you can use a phone compatible with T-Mobile’s AWS frequency (though it may have to be unlocked), and access all of T-Mobile’s native 3G coverage.
This makes Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile’s breakthrough unlimited plans seem a bit less breakthrough. While Sprint’s Prepaid Group wins on coverage by default, this new offering from i wireless benefits from be able to use any unlocked 1700 MHz UMTS phone. That includes Android and the Nokia N900… for $50/month without contract.
PhoneNews.com is being shipped an i wireless account and will review it upon arrival.
Update: According to i wireless, the company has halted sales outside of Iowa. It is not clear if T-Mobile was involved in this decision, and the company has not elaborated on it.
Since the service is nationwide and prepaid, it is also unclear if there is any need to provide a non-Iowa address, or if something as simple as a UPS mailbox would suffice. For $50/year unlimited voice, messaging, and HSPA+ data, some may seriously question if it isn’t economical to rent a mailbox there.
When will this plan be available? Looks promising.
Now this what tmo needs nationwide
I just called and spoke with two reps, but they will not sell outside of Iowa and parts of Illinois. Great deal if you are in those area.
Where is Phonenews located that you are receiving an i wireless account?
Try ordering online. We received confirmation and are supposed to have a tracking number shortly.
Yes, I was going to try online but then they require your SS# to check out, and I stopped there.
How about the actual phone number? Did you try porting or would you be using an assigned number from them? I am very interested in this service if I am able to port my number.
I would also like to read your review, once you have everything set up.
Wow, this is pretty major news. If you can use any T-Mobile phone, unlimited everything, for $50 a month, that is a great deal.
I am anxious to know if smartphones like the Cliq or HD2 work, and if you get 3G data or only EDGE.
One other thing not mentioned. T-mobiles 3G data (UTMS) uses 1700Mhz freq. AWS phones do not work on this freq. for data. Any phone used must have 1700Mhz band installed.
[…] PhoneNews.com’s Christopher Price, from whom I found the information on i wireless, thinks that this renders plans from Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile “a bit less breakthrough.” Yet we’ve seen a number of carriers offer $50 unlimited plans, but, because they don’t have nearly the reach of the established brands, have never really taken off. […]
We’ve updated the article with the latest response from i wireless.
As to the band cited by Nightraider, it is commonly acceptable to refer to UMTS 1700 MHz as AWS, though it is debatable as to if it was labeled as such in the FCC auction for AWS spectrum. Nevertheless, we did tweak the article to clarify.
Hey, when I was living in Rapid City, SD, I-Wireless shipped me out two phones, mind you that was last summer and it was a two year contract. On a side note though, I now live in Minnesota and visited the I-Wireless store in Spirit Lake Iowa last Saturday and got hooked up on the Megatalk Unlimited everything plan for $50 a month. Also, I was able to tether with my current phone. Try calling the I-Wireless store in Spirit Lake, IA to see if they will send phones out to you, I didn’t add their number because I believe we all have basic googling skills.
The deal has been rendered a bit moot because Simple Mobile is now offering the same plan for $60/month.
While that is $120/year more than i wireless, it’s also a plan that is clearly offered nationwide. As such, we suggest people go with Simple Mobile over i wireless at this point.
This is the first time that I heard of a company only offering their products to one State, very interesting, I didnt think companies could do that.
And while this is an appealing deal for those living in Iowa, its not the best prepaid wireless offered I’ve seen, Straight Talk has an unlimited plan for $45. Its $5 cheaper and available anywhere in the US. For those looking for a prepaid service, check them out, Ive been please.