@ scriptninja---Thanks, I corrected it. I did try it with the area code but no go. The problem with the page where they ask for such info is that it appears to be for new customers in that one is already logged into one's existing Tello/Sprint account that already has the info that is being asked for. So I would guess something was amiss with the process for existing customers trying to prematurely shift to the GSM network. I gave up and decided to just put my Sprint sim back in and wait until I receive the official email telling existing members to migrate.
Is the tmobile visual voicemail app suppose to work with Tello?
I got a message, downloaded the app but it doesn't even launch.
I'm still on Tello/Sprint. But when I had Mint for a while, I could never get the T-Mobile visual voicemail to work there, either.I believe mine would launch, but always said it couldn't register with the system & to try back later.
A while ago I received the below email from Tello CS concerning my not being able to activate my Tello GSM sim. Since it said the problem was solved, I tried and was able to activate the sim, and I'm now on T Mobile. So, unless my problem was unique to me, it looks as if existing accounts can now migrate if desired, assuming one can still get free GMS sims from Tello. The data speeds seem slow but acceptable (2 1/2 mbps down & about10 mbps up), which don't compare well with Sprint/Tello speeds of 30 + - mbps down and 6 or 7 mbps up.
Voicemail: I'm not familiar with T Mobile visual voicemail, but my phone does now have visual voicemail, which I just set up. Normally, since I use GV, I don't set up voicemail for my carrier number, but I did this time.
"Thank you for choosing Tello.
We have investigated the problem you reported. The tests made by our Technical Department indicate that the problem has now been resolved.
Don't forget to drop us a line if you need further assistance.
For any other inquiries, check out our Help Center at:
Tello Mobile | Frequently Asked Questions | Help Center.
Sincerely,
Your Tello Support Team
The data speed seems fine for me since I didn't notice any difference between TMO and Sprint near my home.
Also the migration seems very smooth, I guess they fixed the glitches. Will see how the renewal works in a few weeks.
ok so im getting a bit nervous and overwhelmed. ive been keeping a close watch on the transition to gsm. but there is quite a bit of info and some im not good at understanding. i like phones and the hobby of the activation and helping people and getting a good deal but am in no way a pro at phones.
so im confused on these things. 1. is tello going to auto shut off the account if i have a cdma ? all of my personal tello devices are older & bought used from ebay & swappa. earilest phone age is 2011. latest phone age is 2017. they are androids . 2. are new phones needed to switch ? or is just a sim switch? if i need new phones am i looking for used tmobile phones? at&t? still sprint? 3. is there a list of phones that will work? am i missing it somewhere?
whats that reddit? explain it like im 5?
thanks
@ferocious-onyx-glossy-iguana-210905
"We will provide at least 3 months of notice prior to a closure of the CDMA network and then (if you have not already switched over from CDMA phones) provide you information on how you can keep using the Tello service."
"Older CDMA phones will work up until at least mid-2021..."
ferocious, it is understandable to be overwhelmed by this!
There's a good chance some of your phones will have to be replaced when Tello finally shuts down CDMA service. (My guess is they won't do this until as late as possible, when T-Mobile forces the shutdown on the Sprint network-- but as they go further in that process, your service may get worse.)
The first thing to do is to check your phones MEID/IMEI on Tello's test page. (The form will accept either.)
If I test a phone I already have on Tello/Sprint that is capable of GSM/T-Mobile, I get a this result:
[i]GSM compatible: YES This phone can be used for new line activation or replacement for an existing Tello GSM line.
CDMA compatible: NO This phone can not be used as a replacement for an existing Tello CDMA line.[/i]
This phone can be used on GSM by changing the SIM.
(Note: it says it's not compatible as a replacement CDMA phone because it's already active on the Sprint network-- if it was not active already, it would say it was compatible, but could only be used as a replacement for an existing line.)
If I test a current Tello phone that is NOT GSM compatible, I see:
[i]GSM compatible: NO This phone can not be used for new line activation or replacement for an existing Tello GSM line.
CDMA compatible: YES It seems that your phone is already registered with Tello.[/i]
This phone will not work with a Tello GSM SIM, and will have to be replaced.
My mistake, forget it is new network, need to setup voicemail first.
Then the visual voicemail app will activate. Now it is working fine.
Just note that exisiting customers are supposed to wait so the chatter in here is from those trying to get it to work ahead of schedule. If you don't want to mess with it just wait until you get notified that it is time to changeover. I'm sure tello will have a clear guide to help you through. As others have said sprint will still work for some time so no need to do anything right now if you are happy.
Again, thanks for being one of our Nth Circle Tello GSM Trailblazers (how's that for a distinguished title?) and sharing your experience. I've taken the leap of faith myself; just ordered my GSM SIM. Hopefully the T-Mo activation will go smoothly in a week or two when I give it a go.
my issue lies in the fact that i keep getting both no's for the top section ive yet to find tmobile branded phone that gives me a green, ive found 1 metro pcs, but i havent tried every phone in my arsenal of boxes yet, i plan to do that today. so i think at least for me its part frusteration and part waiting for the other shoe to drop.
i plan to wait and the service is working fine right now. were in an area where most cell services work well. currently we have 1 phone we leave lying around as an extra we call the house phone and my teenager has one. and i have 2 siblings that use the $39 plan as home internet for their families and have been using it full time since the pandemic began as they live in areas with no servicable internet providers. and ive gotten no complaints, infact they both love it. i think i may have a bit left over ptsd from R+ when emails were sent at 2 am within a short amount of time we had to switch or be cut off and want to be ready to switch all 4 lines to avoid long delays.
à la Verizon -
Older tmo compatible (& possibly sprint) devices may have a bit longer service life.
https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/02/05/t-mobile-3g-shutdown-reportedly-delayed-until-2022
Fun times.... 
Hello,
Today I tried to get online via my friend's MetroPCS cellphone hotspot. My computer and my phone could connect to his cellphone hotspot, but neither had access to Internet. Eventually I had to directly use his phone to get online. The issue is "connected to hotspot but no access to Internet".
Is it true that MetroPCS does not have hotspot service or its hotspot service is limits to only T-Mobile devices?
If you have or tello or T-Mobile $5 data plan, do you see a similar restriction?
Thanks
I went ahead and took the plunge today. Swapped my Sprint SIM for the new Tello-branded GSM SIM, reactivated my phone, and everything went smoothly. I was also pleasantly surprised when I ran some speed tests: my data speeds are much faster now than they were on the old network (around 35 mbps up / 33 down, versus 8 up / 1 down before).
Transition Mission Accomplished!
After we have ordered the gsm sim - are we still active on sprint until the new gsm sim is activated? I just don't want to be out of service whilst waiting for the sim to ship to me...
I guess if it shows are order in progress I can't port out if I change my mind either...
yes
Apologies if this has been mentioned before, however, Tello is now selling standalone GSM SIMs for $7 at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tello-Mobile-Bring-Your-Phone/dp/B08H5SM9M9/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1G55IO3A89P8H&dchild=1&keywords=tello+sim+card+kit&qid=1613340156&sprefix=tello%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-3.
Yes, your service will remain active "as is" until you activate the GSM SIM. The only caveat I've read about is that if you want to renew your plan early to roll over any unused data or minutes, you can't do that via the website until you've activated the new SIM. But others here have reported that you can still renew early by contacting one of Tello's customer service reps and requesting it (probably by phone would work best, as it is "real time").
I haven't had any experience porting out from Tello so I can't comment on your second question, but since I got the GSM SIM three days after I ordered it (I opted for free delivery via regular USPS mail, none of the express options) you could always activate the GSM SIM and then port out if Tello's T-Mo coverage isn't to your liking.
It does seem that Tello worked all the bugs out, so hopefully if and when you migrate to their T-Mo network it will go smoothly for you, too. Best of luck and please let us know how it goes!