Wireless carrier T-Mobile launched GoSmart Mobile, a wireless service aimed at those on a budget, on Tuesday Feb. 19, after T-Mobile teamed up with MetroPCS, a company it's in the process of acquiring.
The launch attracted relatively little notice, given the day's overwhelming news presence of the HTC One.
As part of its strategy, T-Mobile will be going after those more interested in voice and text than high-speed Internet. The target audience, therefore, will be younger people, college students and those whose incomes fall between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.
"We are looking at customers whose predominant needs when it comes to wireless are talking, texting or entry-level data services," said GoSmart Marketing Director Shailendra Gujarati.
GoSmart started in a trial mode across nine markets in December 2012. During that time it enlisted tens of thousands of customers, beating projections. It can now be found at over 3,000 wireless reseller stores across the U.S., where T-Mobile is offering three different plan options, including a $30 per month package with unlimited talk and text but no Internet access.
Those who want Internet access will have to pay $35 per month, while those who want 3G internet must pay $45, although the speed is brought down to 2G after the first 5 GB of data usage. Customers have the additional option of using a GSM phone with the service through a SIM kit, and also may use a $49 Alcatel feature phone or $99 ZTE Android phone running Gingerbread.
The cost of making international calls will be slightly more. Unlimited texts to 200 countries costs an additional $5 per month. Unlimited texts and calls to 50 countries can be accessed for an additional $10 per month.
T-Mobile currently stands as the number four wireless carrier. The company's other prepaid service includes an HSPA+ data network, faster data plans and higher-end handsets.
