MetroPCS to Launch Live TV Service Later this Year

acdc1a said:
As a customer I can tell you I've NEVER been without data of some type. For $240 per year I can get 1GB of data per month with Virgin if I'm that worried about it. It's still $540 less. That said, the service is reliable enough that I don't need to worry about buying the Virgin data. Your misconceptions are the reason the top tier carriers maintain a customer base at all.

I have no misconceptions here.
As I said, Metro, who is the topic of this discussion, has a very small native footprint. As a result, they rely on the infrastructure of the Big 3 to extend service outside those areas to their customers.
The grade of service is dependent upon the roaming agreement and they are not all the same.

If too many customers bleed off of the Big 3, eventually their revenue drops, and at that point they must charge the other carriers more to access their networks because it costs money to maintain them.

It really is a pretty simple concept.
If you are content with Metro, good for you.
I wish you all the luck in the world.

But at least be honest enough to admit that basic economics are in play here.
Metro can't build out enough to cover anything other than the 4 native home base areas and as such, your data and voice service, outside those areas is dependent upon the Big 3 being able to afford access to Metro at a reasonable rate.
If the roaming rates rise, Metro's charges to their customers will rise.

Cut and dried.