Let’s kick things off with a recap
Tello Mobile has switched to GSM. It’s a big deal.
Our fantastically affordable phone plans stayed the same. The features and perks all customers enjoy, expanded. The data speeds increased. The coverage improved.
Things like Wi-Fi Calling, full VoLTE support, 5G, international calls included for free in any Tello phone plan with minutes are just a few of the good things that were added to our services these past few months and are now a given in every Tello plan.
📌 Wi-Fi Calling is now fully supported by Tello Mobile
We’re doing our best to provide a seamless migration experience for each and every customer.
We’re relying on your patience and proactive attitude. Feedback is always welcome, of course!
👀 What’s gonna happen with our CDMA service?
Service on the current Tello CDMA network will still be available until late 2021, after which it will experience a gradual decline and subsequent termination. Ok, termination is a harsh word. But there’s no going around it.
And nothing we can do about it. Most of the CDMA networks in the USA are expected to close down or experience significant degradation of service by the end of 2021, with only one carrier delaying it until December 2022. So the switch to GSM was really a no-miss move if we wanted to continue to provide services and move forward and create a basis for improved and expanded service.
👍 Does every Tello customer need to migrate to GSM?
Absolutely, if they want to keep the Tello service, savings, and great features.
By now, most of our customers have received a notification regarding their upcoming migration. Search for it in your inbox or Tello Account and follow the super easy steps from there. We’ll send notifications and “action needed” emails when the CDMA deadline is upon us, to ensure that there will be no service downtime, for anybody.
🤖 What do I need in order to migrate to GSM?
The “migration-ready kit” (we totally made that up!) needs to include an unlocked GSM compatible phone and a new SIM from us (free of charge for lines moving from CDMA to GSM).
To ensure excellent service, we recommend activating your GSM compatible device by no later than the end of October 2021. If you are looking for the perfect upgrade for 2021, here’s what to look for in a new phone:
-
VoLTE 📲
VoLTE means Voice over LTE and provides crisp, clear audio quality and helps prevent dropped calls. It’s also a key feature that perfectly matches the requirements of Tello’s new GSM network.
Older phone models tend to be missing this feature more often than newer models.
“The real benefit to using VoLTE is the incredible clarity you get on your calls. Because it uses fast data connections rather than the lower bandwidth voice channels you’re used to, you’ll be able to hear whoever you’re talking to as if they’re in the same room. No more having to ask people to repeat what they just said because it got lost on a crackly line!” -AndroidCentral.com
-
Bands 📡
The device must support (at a minimum) all the following set of LTE bands in order to be compatible with our new GSM network:
– Band 2 (1900 MHz)
– Band 4 (2100 MHz)
– Band 12 (700 MHz)
– Optional bands, that are great to have and mention-worthy: Band 71 and Band 66
When choosing a new device, make sure it checks these two tech boxes highlighted above ⤴ ⤴ ⤴
Newer phones from overseas markets will work perfectly with Tello as long as they are GSM (almost all are), have VoLTE & the bands listed above, and are unlocked.
Friends, we’re aware that the cost of acquiring a new phone is an unexpected expense that you didn’t factor in and that currently puts you between a rock and a hard place. To meet you halfway, we’ve prepared a great upcoming promotion, just in time for the back-to-school season. So, please stay tuned!
🤷♀️ How do I know that Tello GSM will be good for me?
Just like anything else in life, double-check! That’s what we always say!
To make sure you’re still covered, enter your exact address here and see how the signal is in your area.
If you’re not sure if your device is compatible, put your trust in our bring your own phone checker. Important stuff: Tello can’t tell if your device is unlocked or not, nor can we unlock it. This falls solely in your, ergo the customer’s responsibility.
Pro tip: use Tello’s site for the checking part. Forums have a wealth of information, other sites have good tools too, but for coverage & device compatibility, rely on our website. Should you have any questions, our Customer Support Team is one call away. Everyday.
When will you sell 5g phones?
Prefer Moto G Stylus 5g
Jo, thanks for asking!
We’re working on it, promise!
I would love
I have t mobile is hight
They alway discontinued my phone
Please help me with my bill please
Help help help help me me please I’m tired of paying for a high cellular phone bill please help me with the bill please
Adele, we hear you! We’re here to help with super affordable phone plans & super discounts that apply to every device on site.
Just create a free account, choose the amount of data & minutes you need and bring your phone number and device to Tello.
If you need any help with the process, please contact our Customer Support Team to talk to a human that will guide you anytime. Thanks!
Does it cover the same as at@t
Hello,
Please feel free to check the coverage in your area here: https://tello.com/coverage. Thanks!
I will be leaving Tello early in September. Do you have a date at which my current phone will not work anymore. I loved the service with Tello in the past, however I do NOT get good reception on the T-MOBILE network.
So sorry to hear this, Stephen!
There is no termination date for CDMA, but not to worry, your service will be working until the end of 2021.
All the best to you!
Since T-Mo is taking over the Sprint network/towers, there would seem a CHANCE that the combined network WILL serve you. Unfortunately we will have to wait/see what they do in specific cases/locations.
Are new customers, new as of early August 2021, already enrolled to GSM?
Hi, Shannon,
All new Tello customers are enrolled directly to GSM and they get the benefits of the new network from the get-go. Thanks!
So I am a new tello member and my sim card is on the way and I don’t believe that my phone is 5g compatible, what do I do?
Hello, you only need a 5G compatible phone in order to get 5G, but our service works just fine with non-5G phones, as long as they’re GSM, unlocked & VoLTE. Thanks!
I have not received any previous notice of Tello’s migration to GSM.
Robert, I’ve looked for you in our system and you’re already on GSM since you’ve activated your device in February :D.
That’s the reason why you’re not getting any notifications related to this topic. Thanks!
Hey, it’s very nice to upgrade to the new network, but I just bought my phone one year ago from you. Why should I have to buy a new one now? Don’t you provide free phones to old customers like me, especially since you’re forcing the upgrade on us?
Thanks, Joseph
Hi, Joseph,
Thanks for writing and for being a part of the awesome Tello Community.
Here’s the thing: the change was an industry-wide move. We had no choice but to do it if we still wanted to provide premium phone service for our customers. So, of course, we had to align to the big trends.
In what phone offers for customers are concerned, that’s exactly what we had in mind when we started This August’s DEAL – all the devices on-site are discounted and they’ll stay this way until the end of the month. The prices start at $60, depending on the brand, ofc. I hope you can find something suited for you!
Thanks & all the best,
Maria
When is TELLO going to adjust my monthly charge to reflect the daytime T-Mobile internet speed throttling? Daytime internet speed is so slow that most websites time out before making a connection–all due to the GSM conversion to T-Mobile. I am paying for full internet service, but only being provided with half of that. thank you
Hi, Michael,
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve done some digging about your case and know that you already emailed our Customer Support Team and got a response from us.
Since you’re using a hotspot device, our advice is to maybe try a different phone and see if that could solve the issue.
Our service is in no way conditioned by daytime or certain hours, so, if you will, please get back to my colleagues and offer them more details on the problem you’re facing, so we can further investigate.
Let’s get to the bottom of this! Thanks!
I am currently a customer and will soon purchase a new phone that will be compatible with the network upgrade. I am delaying the purchase, though, to see what Tello will offer in the near future.
On another topic, one of your competitors offers unlimited data for two lines for $40 per month. Does Tello intend to offer a plan such as that?
Hi, there, Rick,
Thanks for your message. We are constantly trying to improve our offerings, and we’re taking notes, thanks!
We’re currently running a 25% OFF for any plan combination, good for 6 months in a row. Have you seen it?
That means that the 25GB unlimited plan will be $29.3/mo, which is a great deal, right?
Industry wide change to GSM is not totally correct. T-Mobile purchased Sprint and is transitioning all Sprint customers to their bigger GSM network. However, Verizon is still a CDMA network.
Hey, there,
It took me some time to get to your comment and correct the issue highlighted, but I did it, thanks a bunch!
Good catch! We can always count on our customers/readers to have our back and let us know when something is not right.
So, while the switch to GSM is an industry-wide move, there’s one carrier that has delayed it until December 2022. For those interested, read more about it, here: https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/27/22457255/verizon-att-3g-shutdown-date.
Thanks!
So, to save confusion, one really needs FOUR THINGS for GSM switch:
1. unlocked GSM phone (and tello can’t help us with determining “unlocked” status).
2. new SIM card, free from TELLO
3. Frequency/BAND coverage
The device must support (at a minimum) all the following set of LTE bands in order to be compatible with our new GSM network:
– Band 2 (1900 MHz)
– Band 4 (2100 MHz)
– Band 12 (700 MHz)
– Optional bands, that are great to have and mention-worthy: Band 71
and Band 66; and
4. VoLTE provides best voice service where available
RIGHT??
High Five, Randy!
Yup, you’re right, thanks for this!
I have not received my updated information yet for the switch.
Can you please provide us your Tello email? Thanks!
There aren’t many GSM VoLTE phones for sale from Tello compared to when I first started several years ago.
Less than one page compared to 2 or 3 full pages.
It’s diificult to find one on the internet or even Amazon as they don’t all list all the bands for each phone. T-Mobile had a list of compatible phones that I found by accident and can’t find again.
Mike, thanks for writing!
We get your point and are actively trying to improve our phone selection.
Maybe some people over here can share their fav places to find good deals on Tello compatible phones – like https://swappa.com/, fingers crossed!
I forgot, what about the breach at T-Mobile. How is that going to affect us. Doesn’t sound very secure.
Hi, Mike,
Not to worry, it was clearly stated that no MVNOs were affected by that particular breach. Everything is up and running, and 100% secure at Tello, thanks!
When using the new WiFi calling feature in gsm, does it use plan minutes?
Wi-Fi Calling & Texting has no additional charge.
It’s simply taken from your existing plan balance or your Pay As You Go balance, whichever applies to the activity.
For example, if you receive any calls (no matter where from) or if you call the US or any of the 60+ included international destinations then the minutes of those calls will be deducted from your minutes’ plan balance.
Hope this helps!
Post says “new SIM from us (free of charge for lines moving from CDMA to GSM)”, so how do I get my new SIM?
Hi, Chris,
Simply bring your current phone through our device checker page at: https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone.
When you see the “Awesome” message click “Continue” => “Buy SIM” => “Finalize Order” – that’s all, thanks!
Hello, I keep trying to do the migration on my & my son’s phone but it won’t take me to the website or my account. When I try logging on, it says I can’t log on. It’s getting pretty frustrating as I need to know if I have to buy 2 different phones now for the change.
Hi, Kelli,
Thanks for reaching out.
We checked your accounts and everything looks fine, so please go over your login details and try again.
Also, we could see that both your devices are eligible, so there’s no need to buy new ones for the migration.
Should the log-in issue pop up again, please send our Customer Support Team an email, thanks!
I switched to GSM. Some people get a message when they call that my # not in service. They cant leave a message because the GSM change caused me not to be able to set up voicemail with my #. Please help
Hi, Brian,
You will need to set up your Voicemail anew once the online migration process has been completed.
To set up your Voicemail for the first time, or to set it up again after the migration (Voicemail invalid message), follow these steps:
Press and hold the 1 key or dial 123 on your device.
You will be automatically connected to your voice mailbox and be prompted to enter your password.
By default, your Voicemail password (PIN) is the last 4 digits of your phone number followed by the # key.
When prompted, enter a new 4-9 digit password, then press the # key.
You cannot use repetitive or sequential numbers.
Press # to keep the password or press * to change it.
Follow the prompts to choose your security level & record your name & greeting (4 minutes max for all devices).
Your voicemail should now be ready to use.
To access your Voicemail setting menu, press and hold the 1 key or dial 123 on your device dial pad. The maximum length of a voicemail message is 4 minutes.
If you forget your Voicemail password, dial #793# and send/call on your phone and your voicemail password will be reset to the last 4 digits of your phone number.
None of your messages will be deleted.
We recommend that you change your password again after this.
For iPhones, you can also reset the password by heading to Settings > Phone and tapping Change Voicemail Password.
To access your Voicemail from another line, dial your number from the external line.
When your voicemail greeting begins, dial * and when prompted enter your password.
On your Android device, 60 messages can be stored on Voicemail.
On your non-Android device, 45 messages can be stored on Voicemail.
On your Android device, saved & played messages will be deleted after 5 days of being saved/played.
On your non-Android device, saved & played messages will be deleted after 60 days of being saved/played.
For all devices, unplayed messages will be deleted after 60 days.
Turning your voicemail OFF and ON will delete saved messages & saved greetings.
The migration process from the Tello CDMA to the Tello GSM network will delete the content of your Voicemail box & those messages cannot be retrieved.
Press and hold the 1 key or dial 123 on your device. — DONE
You will be automatically connected to your voice mailbox and be prompted to enter your password. —
It is not automatically connecting to voice mailbox. Please please help
Anamika, I’ve checked with my customer support mates and it seems like it’s fixed now. They are totally faster than I am. If there’s anything else we can help you with, please let us know, thanks!
You all should really update this article to make band 66 and 71 sound like less of an afterthought. There are places where T-Mobile exclusively uses band 71 to have coverage, particularly rural areas, because the signal can propagate much further.
Also if people are questioning which devices are compatible, I found this website and it’s fantastic. All of these phones have all of T-Mobile’s bands including 71 and most of them can be found cheaply on Swappa. They even have a checkbox for feature phones for people who don’t want smartphones.
tmoband71.com
I have been happy with the performance on the GSM network. Hopefully 5G on iPhones is coming soon!
As of September 2, 2021, I still have not gotten the notice to switch to GSM/VoLTE and get a new GSM phone. I’m still using CDMA. You say “To ensure excellent service, we recommend activating your GSM compatible device by no later than the end of October 2021.” but this deadline is fast approaching. What should I do? Thanks for great service!
Hi, Martin,
Thanks for writing.
Our approach to the GSM migration is all about batches of customers. We’re doing them one at a time, to ensure everyone gets a smooth migration process. So you’re on the list to receive a notification as well. In the meantime, you could check your device on our site as well as your coverage, just to see if you’re in tip-top GSM shape. Please wait for news from us, we won’t forget about you, promise!
Thanks for the reply; sorry I didn’t see it sooner. My present Moto E2 phone is CDMA-only on the Sprint network, so when I switch to GSM/VoLTE, I’ll be going to your shop for a new Moto. Thank you :)
Dear Maria,
You’ve said several times that Tello will support the CDMA service at least until the end of 2021, but I received a message that “To start the migration process, you need to get a compatible device no later than October 31, 2021”. Does this migration process take two months or this message is just to “encourage” early migration?
And regarding compatible phones from swappa.com. Will T-Mobile phones work or only unlocked?
Thank you,
Vlad
Hi, Vlad,
Thanks for the Q.
We are working hard to make sure that the GSM migration process is on point and on time for everyone of our customers, that’s why we’re sending instructions on how to do it the right way. We’ve divided the eligible customers into batches, so if you’ve received that specific info, I’d follow it, please.
As far as the compatible phones are concerned, you’ll still have to check it on our site – but your best bet is for it to be GSM, unlocked, support VoLTE & the below mentioned bands:
– Band 2 (1900 MHz)
– Band 4 (2100 MHz)
– Band 12 (700 MHz)
– Optional bands, that are great to have and mention-worthy: Band 71 and Band 66
Thanks!
After installing this new sim card my voicemail is totally screwed up! I had to install a different voicemail app which works to some degree but not like it should. Some phone calls go straight to voicemail without my phone even ringing. Some texts don’t come thru for hours.
Installing this dumb thing is the worst thing I could have done. And, customer service has no idea how to fix the problem! The only think that will fix it is probably a new phone.
Hi, Roger,
I’ve asked around and my Customer Support colleagues told me that you came to them with this issue as well and they provided some guidelines.
So, the question is: did you manage to follow those instructions? If so, and the problem is still there, please contact them again with further details and they’ll gladly assist you. Thanks!
So, do we get mailed a free GSM SIM automatically or do we need to request one? My wife and I have not received one for our compatible iPhones yet, so don’t want to wait too long if we need to request one
Dan, please put your devices thorough the https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone process again. Check them there and order a SIM from there, it will be on us – but you still have to order it. Thanks!
Hi, I haven’t received any info regarding GSM conversion either. I have an iphone 8, wrote to customer service. I haven’t gotten a response. Should I order a sim? Please help!
No way to change over my LG Tribute Empire phone that I bought from Tello less than two years ago? Setting up a new phone is a pain, besides having to deal with the idiosyncrasies of the new phone. UGH!
Larry, I feel your pain. Sorry!
Hope it works out and you find a GSM device that will work with us so you can still benefit from the wireless savings Tello’s offering. Thanks!
Hello, I just migrate my CDMA to tello GSM but I can’t figure out the password for voicemail. Can you help me please? Thank you.
Hi, Fely,
You will need to set up your Voicemail anew once the online migration process has been completed, steps, below:
To set up your Voicemail for the first time, or to set it up again after the migration (Voicemail invalid message), follow these steps:
Press and hold the 1 key or dial 123 on your device.
You will be automatically connected to your voice mailbox and be prompted to enter your password.
By default, your Voicemail password (PIN) is the last 4 digits of your phone number followed by the # key.
When prompted, enter a new 4-9 digit password, then press the # key.
You cannot use repetitive or sequential numbers.
Press # to keep the password or press * to change it.
Follow the prompts to choose your security level & record your name & greeting (4 minutes max for all devices).
Your voicemail should now be ready to use.
To access your Voicemail setting menu, press and hold the 1 key or dial 123 on your device dial pad. The maximum length of a voicemail message is 4 minutes.
If you forget your Voicemail password, dial #793# and send/call on your phone and your voicemail password will be reset to the last 4 digits of your phone number.
None of your messages will be deleted.
We recommend that you change your password again after this.
For iPhones, you can also reset the password by heading to Settings > Phone and tapping Change Voicemail Password.
To access your Voicemail from another line, dial your number from the external line.
When your voicemail greeting begins, dial * and when prompted enter your password.
On your Android device, 60 messages can be stored on Voicemail.
On your non-Android device, 45 messages can be stored on Voicemail.
On your Android device, saved & played messages will be deleted after 5 days of being saved/played.
On your non-Android device, saved & played messages will be deleted after 60 days of being saved/played.
For all devices, unplayed messages will be deleted after 60 days.
Turning your voicemail OFF and ON will delete saved messages & saved greetings.
The migration process from the Tello CDMA to the Tello GSM network will delete the content of your Voicemail box & those messages cannot be retrieved.
I’m currently using a Sprint phone connect as my device. This turns my cell into a landline. Is there any compatible alternative?
Bo, I’m sorry, but that’s not possible with us, you’ll have to look for something similar that is compliant with our compatibility requirements. Thanks!
I found a device that is gsm but seller says it’s not voLTE. Is that gonna work?
Soory, VoLTE is a must for devices to work on Tello GSM.
Try this instead!!! Works with your existing cellphone using Bluetooth.
https://www.cell2jack.com/
So we got the notification for Migration from the CDMA Network. The system is telling us that The Note 20 is compatible but I don’t think its unlocked. The SIM is on the way but I may need an Unlock Code to switch this phone over. Since Sprint is going to the pits and was bought out, so I was thinking that you guys should have access to the Unlock Code as it would be kinda pointless to mandate a phone stay locked to a Carrier that no longer exists.
Hi, Ray,
I checked and it seems like this particular device is active in your Tello account, so there’s no need to ask Sprint for anything or do anything else. Just activate your SIM when you get it and sit back and enjoy the savings, thanks!
Hi,
I have an unlocked Sprint LG G8. It supports VOLTE and I have previously used it on Tmobile without an issue. Your check tells me it is not compatible, which I don’t understand since it has previously worked with a GSM network.
Oliver
Hi, Oliver,
Unfortunately, the phone mentioned can not be used on our GSM network because the device either does not support VoLTE or does not support the type of VoLTE required by our network.
For any service on our GSM network, you’ll need a phone that supports both of these 2 key technologies:
1. LTE: Extended Range LTE helps deliver blazing-fast speeds on our network.
2. VoLTE: Voice over LTE provides crisp, clear audio quality and helps prevent dropped calls.
For any device that you have to hand you can check the compatibility on our device checker page at;
https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone
For any device that you do NOT have to hand but are considering purchasing, just make sure you buy/bring a phone which is unlocked, newish (2019 & newer), and will work with the GSM (T-M) mobile network.
If the device is not accepted on our device checker page at
https://tello.com/bring_your_own_phone you will receive the “oops” message.
This means that at least 1 of the above requirements has not been met and the device cannot be used on our network.
I may buy Pixel 4 or 4 XL in your store to move to GSM.
1. Does it support VoLTE? It doesn’t say so in the specs.
2. Is the phone unlocked? If I later move to another provider, e.g. Google Fi, will it work?
Thanks
Hi there,
1. Any of the two phones (Pixel 4 or Pixel 4XL) should support VoLTE as they belong to the newer generation.
2. All phones purchased from Tello.com are unlocked and can be used with other providers as long as they are compatible with those technologies (GSM more specifically).
Hope this helps ;)