Hi -

Last month I changed my cell provider to Metro PCS (I'm cheap, so is the plan, plus I got a free phone). I signed up for their unlimited Canada & Mexico plan, which - in theory - provides unlimited phone/text/data in both countries for an extra $5/month.

Well, I've since used the phone in both Canada and Mexico, and in neither country did data work on the roaming network. Phone and text work fine, though.

I've spent hours talking to their customer-service people via both phone and Skype, and no one seems to know why I'm not getting data. I've looked online and seen lots of complaints about the same problem from other users, so this problem is clearly not unique to me.

So I have a couple of questions for the forum:

1. Has anyone else used Metro PCS and had this issue? If so, did you resolve it?

2. Should I file a formal complaint with the FCC?

The MetroPCS people have refunded me the extra $5 cost of the plan, which is good, but I'm frankly more interested in getting the service to work when I'm outside the US. I'm strongly considering switching providers as a matter of principle, but I have to say I'm very satisfied with both the phone and the network when I'm in the US (which is most of the time.)

Anyway, thanks in advance to all who have advice!

I'm about to switch to metro so good to hear you're happy. I had a similiar problem on another carrier and just wonder if anyone suggested you change the apn settings?
If data works in the US it should elsewhere (where allowed), but sometimes it requires a change in apn,

I'm looking at buying a smartphone to use between the U.S. and Mexico, so I thought I would bump this topic. The area around the border in San Diego, right near the San Ysidro border crossing is loaded with MetroPCS dealers, because the plan is, in theory, the most economical voice+text+data option for use between the U.S. and Mexico: But, of course, if it doesn't actually work for data, that kills the allure of the plan, for sure.

I specifically want a smartphone where I can run translation apps as well as other internet apps, so I am curious if anyone is successfully using data in Mexico on MetroPCS.

This is the same plan as TMobile. I just returned today from a week in Sonora and Chichuaha with a TMobile data SIM my Surface 3 and it worked great. I roamed on both Movistar and Telcel. On Telcel I had full LTE.

I also recently switched to Metro PCS as the rate is so great - 4 lines with data/text for $100/month. Haven't used my phone internationally so sorry can't speak to that, but so far I am happy with service in the US, no complaints.

The best thing for you to do is to switch to the TMobile One or One Plus Plan. We had MetroPCS which did not have International Roaming and then switched to TMobile Simple Choice then upgraded o the Simple Choice North America Plan.

Then I called loyalty team and got the TMobile One Unlimited for $5 more minus Netflix. So for $145 for 4 lines all taxes and fees included we are happy.

Also what they don't tell you is that Metro PCS is deprioritized over TMobile. I highly recommend post-paid as this is the only way to get the International Roaming with Good Credit. At least this is how it worked when we switched to TMobile.

Its best to be on the true TMobile over MetroPCS even if the two companies are connected there are differences.

FWIW, MetroPCS is now known as "Metro by T-Mobile". I'd guess that everything else you've said is probably still correct - especially the network prioritization which was specifically called out during their launch event for the new brand.