Since early 2012, Ting has operated as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that sells service using Sprint’s CDMA network. Soon it’ll offer GSM service too.
Ting says that starting in February 2015, two years after its original launch, it’ll begin offering service for GSM phones. That means that the operator will begin allowing most any smartphone on its service, not just ones that’ve been on Sprint.
Folks that want to use Ting’s GSM service will just need an unlocked or unlockable phone and an “inexpensive” SIM card. Ting says that 80 percent of smartphones released in the past couple of years will work on its GSM network, and it’s updated its device compatibility checker to tell users if their product will work on Ting’s GSM service.
Ting notes that it will not stop offering Sprint CDMA service when it launches its GSM offering. Both networks will be available, and customers will be able to choose which they’d like to use based on the device that they’ve got.
Ting isn’t saying which major carrier’s network it’ll be using for its GSM service, but Fierce Wireless suggests that it’ll be T-Mobile’s. After comparing the coverage maps of both Ting’s GSM service and T-Mobile’s, I’m inclined to agree.
Ting’s rate plans let customers select the amount of devices, minutes, messages and megabytes that they’d like each month, with packages ranging in size from extra small to extra large plus. This lets people get exactly the amount of usage that they need each month, helping them to pay exactly for what they need and not any more. Offering GSM service will make Ting’s unique rate plans available to many more consumers, and it’ll be interesting to see if the move will give Ting’s customer base a boost.