Metro by T-Mobile vs. Tello Mobile: Which is Better?

Tello Mobile is a small MVNO that operates on T-Mobile’s network and has rave customer reviews across the board. They are an MVNO that offers plans at very cheap price points, giving customers tremendous flexibility to pick out the plan that’s best for them. Tello gives customers the option to enjoy T-Mobile’s great 5G and 4G LTE networks while evading the premium prices associated with getting service from T-Mobile itself or any other major wireless network. 

Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO that operates on T-Mobile’s network. It provides affordable plans with the caveat that it is more likely to experience data deprioritization than major wireless providers. Metro has a more expensive set of plans (relative to MVNOs) that come with a good data allocation, which is pretty high relative to other MVNOs. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How do the prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Tello Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are both MVNOs. Both of these MVNOs use T-Mobile’s network, so their coverage and reception are the same. Before you go further, check out T-Mobile coverage in your area! If T-Mobile has noticeably spottier coverage than the other two major wireless networks, we recommend checking out some of their MVNOs instead. You will find, however, that the three major networks have comparable coverage around the continental United States. Each one has a wide-ranging 4G LTE network and powerful 5G networks centered around major metropolitan areas. In specific areas, however, one network is a clear winner. 

MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) experience less consistent data reception compared to major networks. MVNOs rent bandwidth from major wireless networks, but data consumption, especially in major metropolitan areas, often exceeds these networks' capacity. As a result, major networks have divided data priority into three tiers: premium major network data, basic major network data, and MVNO data.

MVNOs always use the lowest-priority data, meaning MVNO users experience slower data speeds during times of high network usage. This can be unpredictable, leading to potential data slowdowns throughout the day when using mobile data. To understand the quality of coverage in your area, we recommend checking local reviews for MVNO carriers, as users of services like Metro by T-Mobile can provide valuable insights about their experiences.

Interested in a detailed breakdown of major wireless networks and MVNOs? Check out our website!

Plan Options

Tello Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile offer various plans with limited high-speed data. Along with high-speed data, both carriers offer unlimited talk and text along with various features and add-ons. First up, let’s talk about Metro’s cell phone plans. 

Metro Mobile Cell Phone Plans

Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plan provides unlimited high-speed data, which separates them from other MVNOs. Few MVNO data plans offer the same. Metro Mobile has four cell phone plans. Three are unlimited plans, and the last is a 10 GB plan. Each plan comes with unlimited talk and text, as well as the same 5G and 4G LTE coverage that T-Mobile users get. The phone plans at Metro Mobile are competitively priced and come with a variety of benefits and shortcomings, just like their competitors. Their four major plans are:

MetroFlex Plus

Metro Mobile’s most expensive cell phone plan offers a huge selection of add-ons on top of their unlimited high-speed data. The difference between Metro Mobile’s three unlimited cell phone plans is the hotspot data and additional add-ons like international messages and subscription services. With MetroFlex Plus, you receive 25 GB of hotspot data, an Amazon Prime membership, a 1-year VIX Premium subscription, and a 100 GB Google One membership. That’s a lot of add-ons!

The downside, of course, is the price of this plan. A $70 MVNO is a steep price. The multi-line savings are great, but it is still around $44 a month per line. 

MetroFlex UP

This cell phone plan comes with 25 GB hotspot data, the Google One membership, the VIX subscription, and unlimited international texting. Along with unlimited high-speed data, this plan and all three unlimited plans have a soft cap of 35 GB. After you use 35 GB of data, you become further susceptible to data throttling in times of congestion. That means you will get slower data speeds than other Metro by T-Mobile customers as well as T-Mobile customers. 

MetroFlex Start

The basic unlimited plan from Metro still comes with 8 GB of hotspot data, as well as the Google One and VIX memberships. These are nice, but they add to the significant price tag of this unlimited plan. Paying $50 a month for an MVNO is still a hefty price tag, even if it does come with unlimited high-speed data. 

10 GB plan

Coming in at $40 a month with no multi-line savings, Metro’s limited-data plan is not very well priced compared to other MVNO plans that provide this amount of data. This means Metro is best for people who want unlimited high-speed data. If you are interested in limited-data plans where you can save big on your monthly phone bill, we recommend looking at providers like Tello Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Ting Mobile. 

Low-data providers have fantastically priced cell phone plans that provide single-digit GB of high-speed data. This data allocation does not give you a lot of wiggle room when it comes to data usage, but it is a fantastic way to get a phone number with unlimited talk and text, and, of course, you can use as much data as you want on WiFi. 

Tello Mobile Cell Phone Plans

Tello Mobile allows users to choose the number of minutes they want and the amount of data they want to pick out their perfect plan. The minutes max out at, well, unlimited and only add $4 a month to your phone bill, so we will showcase Tello Mobile’s phone plans in our Tello Mobile review as if they all had unlimited minutes. With that in place, Tello Mobile has seven plans available to new users. 

• No data for $8 a month
• 1 MB for $9 a month
• 2 GB for $10 a month
• 5 GB for $14 a month
• 10 GB for $19 a month
• 20 GB for $20 a month
• Unlimited (35 GB) for $25 a month

With Tello Mobile, we recommend new customers start with their unlimited plan or take a few months to take stock of the amount of data they use. If you know how much data you use each month, you can pick out a Tello Mobile plan that represents that data usage while saving you the maximum amount of money. Until then, their unlimited plan comes in with tremendous value and allows users to enjoy 35 GB of high-speed data before they get throttled down to low data speeds. 

Tello Mobile, unfortunately, does not offer any multi-line savings. Their plans are well-priced as is, but there is no incentive to grab some friends and go in on a multi-line plan together. This makes Tello Mobile fantastic for single-line users, as you can pick up an incredibly affordable cell phone plan very cheaply and with no contract. Choosing a new cell phone carrier is hard! If you are running up against your deadline and still haven’t picked one out, a carrier like Tello is a great place to rest your heels. You can pay month-by-month without worrying about any contracts. And Tello’s plans and service are great enough that you might realize that this is the carrier for you in those first couple of months!

Major Wireless Network vs. MVNO

This article covers two MVNOs. This kind of carrier has some critical differences from major wireless networks, and we will highlight some of those differences so you understand the pros and cons of MVNOs. 

Data Speeds

One big difference between MVNOs and major wireless networks comes is your overall data speeds. With a major wireless network, you always have high-speed data, no matter how much data you use each month. Major wireless customers also have a higher data priority, meaning they receive full data speeds as long as possible as the network becomes congested. 

There is always a certain amount of data usage that congests every single user on the network. In that case, no one can load anything until whatever is causing the intense congestion (sporting event, concert, etc.) clears out. 

These two ideas are known as data throttling and data deprioritization, and they both result in MVNO users having lower total data speeds. Throttling happens when you hit your cell phone plan's high-speed data maximums. It depends on the carrier, but data throttling normally reduces you to 3G data speeds. Some carriers shut off your data completely. 

Deprioritization, which is also common among MVNOs, happens when a network experiences high traffic. In these cases, the network starts slowing the data of low-priority users (tier 3) so their high-priority data users can continue enjoying high-speed data. 

MVNOs have much higher data speed fluctuations than major wireless networks. MVNO customers are more frequently subjected to data deprioritization because these carriers must yield bandwidth to the major wireless networks' direct customers during times of network congestion. This makes Metro and other MVNOs less reliable in terms of consistent data speeds, but they are much more affordable.

Customer Service 

You can call Metro’s customer service line on this number: 888-8-METRO-8. You can reach Metro’s help pages following this link, which has answers to frequently asked questions, the option to chat, and more. 

For Tello Mobile, you can contact them here: (866) 377-0294 or access their help page here. 

The Verdict

Metro is on the expensive side for MVNOs, providing pricing and multi-line savings that are very similar to what you see at T-Mobile. It is best for high-data users who use lots of data each month but don’t rely on the data priority that makes major networks so strong. We love unlimited high-speed data in MVNO plans, but Metro’s plans are very expensive. Tello Mobile, on the other hand, provides low-data plans at much more affordable prices. 

If you are a low-data user, we recommend Tello Mobile. You can save big on your wireless bill each month with Tello Mobile, but you are very limited in terms of total data consumption. If you are a high-data user, we recommend Metro by T-Mobile, where you can enjoy unlimited high-speed data. You should always try to make a multi-line account with Metro, whose pricing goes way down with two or three more lines on an account. 

Make sure to check your data usage before committing to a plan. Being able to limit your data consumption opens up the option for far more low-data plans that are a fraction of the cost of major wireless unlimited high-speed data plans. The downside, of course, is that it is difficult to keep data consumption low. 

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare features, coverage, prices, reviews, and more!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What carrier does Tello Mobile use?

Tello Mobile uses T-Mobile's network for its service.

Is T-Mobile better than Tello? 

T-Mobile is better than Tello if you prioritize faster data speeds, unlimited high-speed data, and more robust plan options, including postpaid plans with premium features like priority data and international roaming. T-Mobile's network is one of the largest in the U.S., offering 5G coverage and a wide variety of plans to suit different needs. On the other hand, Tello, which operates on T-Mobile’s network, is a budget-friendly alternative that is ideal for data-light users or those who want customizable prepaid plans with no frills. While Tello offers great value for money, especially for those who don’t need a lot of data, T-Mobile provides a more comprehensive and feature-rich experience. These two carriers are incredibly different and serve as a great comparison to help you decide which kind of carrier is right for you. 

What are data priority tiers, and how do they affect service?

Data priority tiers determine the order in which users experience slowdowns during network congestion. Major wireless networks offer Tier 1 and Tier 2 data, ensuring higher priority and faster speeds. MVNOs use Tier 3 data, which is the first to be slowed down in high-traffic situations, resulting in slower speeds for its users.

Depending on how much you rely on your cell phone, this data throttling can be incredibly annoying. It always feels like it happens at the worst times. 

Are T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile the same?

No, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are not the same. T-Mobile is a major wireless carrier, while Metro by T-Mobile is its prepaid subsidiary. T-Mobile offers a few prepaid cell phone plans that offer limited high-speed data, like these MVNOs, but those are still a part of T-Mobile proper, where users have a higher data priority and access T-Mobile’s robust support network. 

Is Tello easy to cancel? 

Yes, Tello is easy to cancel. Since Tello operates on a no-contract, prepaid model, you can cancel your service at any time without penalties or fees. The process is straightforward—just log into your Tello account online and select the option to cancel your plan. There's no need to speak with customer service unless you need assistance, making it a hassle-free experience. Once canceled, your service will continue until the end of your current billing cycle, after which it will not renew.

How do I choose a new cell phone provider?

To choose a new cell phone provider, evaluate your needs and preferences by considering factors such as coverage quality in your area, data plans, pricing, and additional features like international roaming or device options. Compare plans from different providers to ensure they align with your usage habits—whether you need high data limits and unlimited options or budget-friendly choices. 

Check for any hidden fees, contract requirements, and customer service reviews to gauge overall satisfaction. Finally, look for any promotions or discounts that might make switching more advantageous. Balancing these elements will help you select a provider that best fits your needs and budget.