Why Does T-Mobile Have Such Bad Coverage?

Complaints about T-Mobile's coverage have long been a topic of discussion. Numerous users, including myself, have reported issues ranging from blocked webpages to slow download speeds. However, there is more to this story than just bad coverage; it seems there are underlying concerns with the company's practices and oversight.

T-Mobile and the FCC: A Lack of Action

After sending a detailed 15-page report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with documentation of the issues I encountered, they thanked me for my report but suggested contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FCC, which monitors telecommunication services, is not taking action. The commission seems to be focused solely on coronavirus-related issues at the moment.

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Employee Misconduct and Access

My experience with T-Mobile has been particularly concerning. I received reports that T-Mobile employees were hacking into my account, blocking, dropping, and redirecting services. Despite changing my SIM card and phone number multiple times—approximately 20-30 times—these issues persisted. This suggests a deeper problem within the company, as having access to my account and being able to manipulate it should only be possible with proper authorization.

When I reached out to upper management for assistance, I was directed to write to a specific address in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This delay and inaction indicate that the problem may be systemic and not localized to a single office.

Multiple Phone Numbers and Fraudulent Billing

During a detailed billing review, I discovered that multiple phone numbers were attached to my account, which raised multiple instances of fraudulent billing. This further suggests the involvement of someone inside the company with access to sensitive information.

New Phone, Same Concerns

Recently, while purchasing a new phone and requesting that carrier access to location not be activated, I became suspicious that the setting was not honored as requested. Even when questioning the manager, the response was vague, indicating a lack of transparency or accountability within the company.

Cellular Internet Performance

The situation with T-Mobile's cellular internet is equally disappointing. Numerous webpages were blocked, and most download and upload speeds ranged from 0.2 to 4.5 Mbps. The average speeds should be much higher, at around 25 Mbps. This disparity highlights the quality of service provided by the carriers.

Wide-Ranging Issues in the Telecom Industry

It is not unique to T-Mobile; all telecommunications companies face coverage issues. According to the industry, it is normal for every carrier to have areas with poor signal strength. However, this does not excuse the lag in addressing the issue effectively.

Verizon and ATT, for example, seem to have better coverage in some cities, but this does not equate to better service. My work location, in the center of a large building, consistently shows that T-Mobile has almost double the number of towers in comparison to the other major carriers, yet this does not translate to improved service.

Conclusion

Consumers are paying for subpar service, and the agencies responsible for monitoring these companies are, in many cases, asleep at the wheel. There is a need for stronger oversight and action from both the FCC and FTC to address these issues. Meanwhile, T-Mobile and other carriers must take more significant steps to improve their coverage and services for all customers.