Choosing the right cell phone plan can feel overwhelming. With a myriad of providers, data options, and confusing jargon, it’s easy to get lost in the details. If you’re prioritizing data and a strong 5G network, T-Mobile’s Go5G plan emerges as a compelling option. This plan, while not always front and center on T-Mobile’s website, offers significant value, especially when compared to similar plans from competitors like AT&T and Verizon. T-Mobile’s advancements in 5G technology have further solidified its network as a leader, making the Go5G plan an attractive choice for many.
Go5G: A Deep Dive into T-Mobile’s Unlimited Data Plan
The T-Mobile Go5G plan positions itself as a strong contender in the unlimited data arena, primarily based on its competitive pricing and robust network performance. Let’s break down the key aspects of this plan to understand its value proposition.
Pricing and Value: How Go5G Compares
One of the most significant advantages of the Go5G plan is its cost-effectiveness. For a single line, the plan is priced at $75 per month, which includes all taxes and fees – a level of transparency not always found with other carriers who often add these costs on top of the advertised rate. This monthly fee grants you unlimited on-phone data, with a generous 100 GB of priority data. Priority data is crucial because it ensures that your connection speed remains fast even during peak network usage times. After exceeding the 100 GB threshold, T-Mobile may temporarily slow down your speeds if the network is congested, but for most users, 100 GB is a substantial amount of high-speed data.
When we compare Go5G to similar offerings from AT&T and Verizon, the value becomes even clearer. AT&T’s comparable plan, while offering 75 GB of priority data, comes at a higher price point, approximately $10 more per month, excluding taxes and fees. Verizon’s closest equivalent, although boasting unlimited priority data, also carries a $10 premium and doesn’t include taxes and fees in the initial price. For families or households needing multiple lines, the savings with Go5G can be even more substantial. Two lines on Go5G are priced at $65 each, and a family of four can get the plan for $35 per line.
While the Go5G plan includes 15 GB of mobile hotspot data, it’s worth noting that this is less than what some competitors offer on their slightly more expensive plans. However, for the average user who only occasionally needs to use their phone as a hotspot, 15 GB is generally more than sufficient.
Data and Performance: Is Go5G Fast Enough?
Unlimited data is only truly valuable if it’s delivered with speed and reliability. The Go5G plan excels in this area, riding on the back of T-Mobile’s leading 5G network. T-Mobile has invested heavily in its 5G infrastructure, particularly its mid-band spectrum, which they market as Ultra Capacity 5G. This mid-band spectrum is a sweet spot, offering a balance of impressive speed and broad coverage. It surpasses the coverage of the faster but shorter-range millimeter-wave 5G used by AT&T and Verizon, and significantly outperforms the slower low-band 5G that is more widely available across all carriers.
Independent testing and real-world evaluations consistently demonstrate T-Mobile’s 5G advantage. Opensignal’s July 2024 5G-specific tests revealed T-Mobile’s median download speeds to be over 50% faster than both Verizon and AT&T. Furthermore, T-Mobile’s 5G availability was significantly higher, accessible nearly 68% of the time, compared to around 12% for AT&T and less than 8% for Verizon. Ookla’s Speedtest data from Q4 2023 also corroborated these findings, showing T-Mobile leading in both median download speeds and 5G-only median download speeds.
PCMag recognized T-Mobile’s network leadership, awarding it the title of “fastest mobile network” in both 2021 and 2022. RootMetrics’ latest report for the first half of 2024 also confirms T-Mobile’s speed advantage, citing median download speeds double that of Verizon and AT&T.
| Average 5G download | 5G availability |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | 226.7 Mbps |
| Verizon | 150.5 Mbps |
| AT&T | 142.1 Mbps |
Opensignal’s July 2024 report highlighted T-Mobile’s 5G network as faster and more accessible compared to competitors.
Network Coverage: T-Mobile’s 5G Advantage
While T-Mobile boasts superior 5G speeds and availability, it’s important to acknowledge the nuances of network coverage. While T-Mobile’s overall network has improved dramatically in recent years, particularly in metropolitan and suburban areas, its rural coverage still lags slightly behind AT&T and Verizon. These two competitors have historically had a stronger presence in less densely populated areas.
For most people living in or frequently traveling to urban and suburban locations, T-Mobile’s coverage is likely to be excellent. However, if you spend a significant amount of time in remote rural areas, it’s worth checking T-Mobile’s coverage map against AT&T and Verizon’s to see if there are any significant differences in the specific areas you frequent. The gap in rural coverage has narrowed considerably, but it’s still a factor to consider based on your individual travel patterns.
International Roaming: Travel Perks of Go5G
For travelers, the Go5G plan offers notable international roaming benefits. It includes 5 GB of high-speed data roaming in 11 European countries where T-Mobile’s parent company, Deutsche Telekom, operates. Outside of these specific countries, you still get international data roaming at 128 kbps. While this speed might seem slow, it is generally sufficient for basic tasks like checking emails and light browsing while abroad. The plan also includes free texting and a low calling rate of 25¢ per minute internationally. Furthermore, Go5G users can utilize their phone in Canada and Mexico without incurring roaming charges for up to 10 GB of data per month, even on 5G networks.
Another valuable perk for travelers is the inclusion of in-flight Wi-Fi. Go5G provides one hour of free in-flight Wi-Fi and four full-flight Wi-Fi passes per year on select airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. These international and travel-related benefits make the Go5G plan particularly appealing to individuals who frequently travel abroad or within North America.
Go5G vs. Go5G Plus and Go5G Next: Which Plan to Choose?
T-Mobile also offers higher-tier unlimited plans: Go5G Plus and Go5G Next. Go5G Plus, priced at $90 for a single line, increases the hotspot data to 50 GB, expands international high-speed roaming to over 200 countries (still at 5GB), and provides free full-flight Wi-Fi on partner airlines for every flight. It also bundles in subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Netflix’s standard with-ads plan. For frequent international travelers who are already subscribers to these streaming services, Go5G Plus could offer cost savings by consolidating their wireless and entertainment expenses.
Go5G Next, at $100 for a single line, focuses on phone upgrades, offering a new phone every year for those who desire the latest devices. However, for most users, the standard Go5G plan strikes the best balance of features and value. Unless you are a very frequent international traveler, a heavy hotspot user, or specifically desire the bundled streaming services or annual phone upgrades, the Go5G plan is likely the most practical and economical choice. It provides a robust data allowance, excellent 5G network performance, and valuable travel benefits at a competitive price.
Head-to-Head: Go5G vs. Competitors (AT&T and Verizon)
To make a truly informed decision, it’s crucial to compare Go5G directly with comparable plans from AT&T and Verizon, the other two major US carriers.
Price Comparison
As discussed earlier, Go5G generally undercuts both AT&T and Verizon on price for comparable unlimited data plans. While specific plan names and pricing may fluctuate slightly, Go5G consistently positions itself as the more affordable option for a substantial amount of priority data and unlimited data overall. The inclusion of taxes and fees in T-Mobile’s advertised price further enhances its price transparency and value proposition.
Data and Speed Comparison
In terms of data and speed, T-Mobile’s Go5G leverages its leading 5G network to deliver a superior experience compared to AT&T and Verizon. Independent tests and data consistently show T-Mobile outperforming its competitors in 5G download speeds and availability. While both AT&T and Verizon have been expanding their mid-band 5G coverage, T-Mobile has maintained a demonstrable lead in this crucial aspect of network performance.
Network Coverage Comparison
While T-Mobile leads in 5G performance, the coverage picture is more nuanced. AT&T and Verizon retain a slight edge in overall nationwide coverage, particularly in rural areas. However, T-Mobile’s network has improved significantly, and for the majority of the population, especially those in urban and suburban areas, the coverage difference is negligible. If rural coverage is a paramount concern, it’s recommended to check the coverage maps of all three carriers for your specific areas of interest.
Potential Drawbacks of Go5G: What to Consider
Despite its strengths, the Go5G plan isn’t without potential drawbacks that are worth considering.
Rural Coverage Limitations
As mentioned previously, T-Mobile’s rural coverage, while improved, still lags slightly behind AT&T and Verizon. If you frequently travel to or reside in remote rural areas, this could be a limiting factor. Assessing your typical travel patterns and comparing coverage maps is crucial if rural connectivity is a priority.
International Roaming Restrictions on Financed Phones
While Go5G offers excellent international roaming benefits, there’s a caveat. If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile on an installment plan, your device may be locked to their network until the phone is paid off. This could potentially restrict your ability to utilize international roaming with local SIM cards if needed, although the Go5G roaming features themselves would still function.
Data Breach Concerns and Customer Service
T-Mobile has unfortunately experienced a history of data breaches, including a significant one in August 2022 affecting millions of customers. While the telecom industry as a whole faces cybersecurity challenges, T-Mobile’s history in this area is something to be aware of. Additionally, some customer reviews and reports suggest that T-Mobile’s customer service can be inconsistent, although this is a common complaint across many large carriers.
Furthermore, T-Mobile’s decision to limit autopay discounts to bank account or debit card payments has been viewed negatively by some customers. These factors, while not necessarily deal-breakers, are worth considering as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for individuals prioritizing data, 5G network performance, and value, T-Mobile’s Go5G plan stands out as a top contender in the landscape of cell phone plans. Its competitive pricing, robust 5G speeds, and valuable international roaming benefits make it an attractive option for a wide range of users. While potential drawbacks such as slightly weaker rural coverage and past data breach incidents exist, for most people, the advantages of Go5G outweigh these concerns. When Comparing Cell Phone Plans, T-Mobile Go5G deserves serious consideration, particularly if you are seeking a balance of performance, features, and affordability.
