Tip: T-Mobile will allow postpaid customers to get a free Cellspot WiFi router, regardless of phone
In case you missed T-Mobile’s Uncarrier 7.0 announcement a few weeks ago, here’s what it boils down to: Starting last week, every Simple Choice postpaid customer with a broadband connection and a WiFi calling smartphone can get a free T-Mobile Personal CellSpot, with only a $25 refundable deposit. Unlike microcells like Sprint’s Airave device, this is actually an ASUS-made router that delivers 801.11 AC WiFi speeds comparable to a $200 router at retail. (It’s basically a T-Mobile branded ASUS RT-68U.)
Because it’s not actually broadcasting a 3G or 4G signal, but is instead just a WiFi router that is optimized to give preference to WiFi calling traffic, T-Mobile initially said that you have to have a WiFi calling capable device. That pretty much leaves out everyone with a Google Nexus, a Moto X, or an unbranded/unlocked Android device.
However, some people were reporting that they were able to get one, regardless of the phone that they have on their account. I decided to test this out myself, and yes – even though I’m on a family plan with a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 5, I was never asked about my phones or given any hassle. The guy in tech support with whom I spoke actually seemed really eager to get me the CellSpot. And since I ordered before September 24, my deposit was even waived.
So don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and try your luck. It worked for me, and it’s worked for a lot of other people, too.
