Ting, the MVNO that currently runs on Sprint's network, made a curious little announcement today. In a rather epic video on YouTube (as epic as SIM cards can get, anyway), Ting announced that it will support GSM phones starting in February 2015.
WIth its SIM, users are free to switch to the Ting and bring their unlock GSM devices with them. It isn't clear which carrier network Ting will be piggybacking for support, but its projected GSM coverage map can be found here.
In a blog post, Ting's Andrew Moore-Crispin describes how he service will work:
On Ting, your CDMA and GSM devices will be able to coexist under a single account and will share a single pool of minutes, messages and megabytes. At the end of the billing cycle, they will appear on a single monthly bill. As far as we can tell, this is a North American first and we're pretty sure it's a worldwide first too.
Are you any more likely to consider using Ting when it supports GSM phones in 2015?
Source: Ting
Reader comments
Sprint MVNO Ting to support GSM starting in February 2015
Sweet. Choices are always good on my unlocked z10.
Posted via CB10
this is not a worldwide first for sure
in India we have a similar system with tata and reliance telecom and a few smaller companies
Posted via my Zed 10 Vader
When I read the article I was excited about giving Ting a try but after reading reader comments (no BlackBerry support, no savings for high data users) Ting is not now nor likely ever a good fit for me.
Via CB10, Z10 rocking official 10.2.1
If you are using a GSM BlackBerry running BB OS 10.x that works on the T-Mobile network then it will work on Ting once their GSM service goes live in February. They even have a page ( http://crackberry.com/e?link=http%3A%2F%2Fting.7eer.net%2Fc%2F159229%2F7... ) you can check your device's ESN to ensure it will work and it's already got the GSM data. If you are using less than 2GB of data a month you will most likely save on Ting. I have two lines and my monthly bill has never been over $55
I've been a Ting customer for close to two years now. When I saw this yesterday I danced a little jig. Being tied to Sprint CDMA devices and network was the only real downside to what is otherwise the most pleasant wireless experience. The selection of devices that Sprint allowed Ting to use early on was disappointing. With Sprint falling further and further behind AT&T and Verizon they have more recently embraced their MVNO partners and opened up selection considerably but flagship and newer devices are still unavailable. For anyone who doesn't blow through Gigs of data each month (my primary hangouts all have WiFi so I rarely top 500Mb) there isn't a better option out there IMO. If you are interested here is my referral link to get a credit for signing up. https://zl16f014a22.ting.com/
More options never hurts.. nice
Formerly Q10 ~ Now the Passport on TMobile
I think I understand this service that they are offering. You will need a phone such as a BlackBerry Tour to use this service or any phone that switches back and forth between the two systems CDMA and GSM For this to work properly. Sure you can switch sim cards but that will get old very quickly.
I used to use my Tour like that back in the day but the bill skyrocketed because I was paying for two services and besides that the phone wasn't up to date as far as performance features even at that time sad to say blackberry was behind the curve.
This will indeed work if their services are really cheap as hell and or you cut your services on the CDMA side to keep your bill down.
Either way you look at it this is best for business purposes only unless you have a substantial amount of income to pay for unlimited use to maximize the same as you normally use.
Trust me I got a nose bleed trying to get the right balance of data and voice services in order to make this work.
The American companies want a lot of money to use their services and so this kind of block busting price-fixing keeps you from using a blanket service this would create.
Only the FCC has the power to bridge this gap.
Posted via CB10
North American first?.. Don't we do this already in Canada?
Posted via CB10
Um, really? Ting doesn't support BlackBerry devices... at all. Go ask them.
From a Z30
Actually they don't officially support them. First, they cannot support BB OS7 devices because their contract with Sprint does not include access to Sprints connection the BIS. Second, to support a BlackBerry device it needs to be a Sprint branded CDMA device which means you are limited to the Q10. Ting can't officially support it because Sprint hasn't given them permission to use it...however numerous individuals have brought their Q10 over to Ting successfully. What I love about Ting is their candor and emphasis on the customer. When the question about BlackBerrys came up in the Ting forum Justen Burdette ( Ting Help Center) made this comment "If you happen to have a BlackBerry Q10 and you happen to try to bring it to Ting (after checking the ESN, of course), I can't speak to what would happen. Space and time could end. Or it could work perfectly and no harm could come to the universe... :)"
https://help.ting.com/entries/24939726-Blackberry-Q10-coming-to-Ting-
Hey, I'm famous!
But, yes, we've been "unofficially" supporting the Q10 for a while. We have quite a few folks who have brought their Q10s to Ting, and so far space and time continues to function (so far as I can tell).
With GSM, we'll be able to activate — and "officially" support any BlackBerry (that has the necessary bands). But only BlackBerry 10 devices will have data support. It just didn't make sense for us to investment in the infrastructure necessary to support OS 7 devices (and prior), despite the fact that my Bold 9900 will forever have a place in my heart (alongside the Passport in my hand).
So the Classic GSM version will be supported on Ting? You will have another customer if that's the case.
From a Z30
Yup, the Classic has all the bands you'll need for Ting on GSM. :)
Not bad. Just rechecked out the service; not for me since I have heavy data usage, but good for those who don't need much data.
Posted via CB10
I'll share some data with you any day of the week! ;)
Posted via CB10
Ting-ception!!!
This is awesome! I hope it's AT&T.
Posted via CB10
About time
Posted via CB10
Nice video... lol
Posted via CB10
"As far as we can tell, this is a North American first and we're pretty sure it's a worldwide first too."
*cough* Belus *cough*
Never heard of this Ting! What is this Ting? I have Sprint but.......
arTie's berry "Q10"
I had a feeling this would happen with all of the other announcements and changes in recent days.
emPowered by
Wtf is Ting@
Posted By Secure BB10.3
Exactly!
Posted via CB10
Canadian based mobile virtual network operator which resells Sprint service in the US.
A brand of grapefruit soda.
Posted via CB10
No that's Tang...LoL
Posted via CB10
http://tingsoda.com/
Posted via CB10
If you were on the internet in the 90's you might know their parent company TUCOWS.
http://www.tucows.com/
I actually remember that company
Cool
Posted from my awesome HUB enabled Z10
Wut?!!! OMG, Verizon please take note and follow suit. Let us be able to purchase an unlocked GSM BlackBerry Passport from Shop BlackBerry and bring it over to Verizon!
Posted via CB10
That's all I'm concerned about!
Posted via CB10
+1
Posted via CB10
+1
Love the vid!
Posted via CB10
I found the First SIM cards better! Now it's Mini Sim, Nano Sim and Micro Sim!! LOL!!
I misread the article to think Ting was offerring GSM on Sprint's network.
Wow you are such a pathetic tool. Let's just say first like a loser on every post I make trying to poke the bear.
Well the bear is just laughing at how stupid you look with your posts. I'm sure there are others that think you are just a sad pathetic 9yr old trying to win the internet and get his parents approval that he can be so idiotic.
Posted via my ZED10
Dude calm down. Your anti-First ravings are annoying. If you look at when he posted, it was an hour after the FIRST person posted. He wasn't saying "I'm the First" he was talking about the first SIM Cards. Sheeesh!
Posted via CB10
Ummm no, what he's doing if you look on every other post he's done. He always says first. And he will either capitalize the whole word or at least the F. Meaning he is doing it on purpose to be an ass hat.
Do your self a favor and know your facts before getting involved
Posted via my ZED10
+1
Posted via CB10
Really? The first sim cards are the size of credit cards. not very efficient.
Yes, there was the sim card, which was credit card size.
Then the mini SIM which was the one people used for the longest time. Then there was the micro sim introduced with the iPhone 4.
Apple couldn't leave well enough alone and introduced the nano SIM with the iPhone 5 which is now standard.
Posted via CB10
My guess is T-Mobile. I actually have one phone on Ting. It truly is mobile that makes sense. Especially if you are a light user.
Posted via CB10
Yeah, I'm thinking TMO as well. Sprint and TMO's MVNO access fees are probably the lowest because they have the least developed nationwide networks.
I've heard good things about Ting myself, but never looked into them because of CDMA. Time to take a look.
Well one of the comments from a Ting rep. on the Ting Facebook section mentioned it wouldn't be AT&T so that pretty much confirms T-Mobile as the carrier.
Assuming it'll be on ATT, it'll be fantastic for me to use as an emergency sim in case I don't have tmobile service
Posted via CB10
If you look at the coverage map, it's identical to t-mobiles. Sorry if I ruined you're excitement lol
Posted via CB10
It's about time
#BBFactCheck
Yeah! Maybe now I'll be able to use my BlackBerry with there services!
Posted via CB10
Yes!
Posted via CB10
Ok
Posted Via Z30