TextNow moving to new network, adding free video calling

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Low-cost phone carrier TextNow is upgrading its network to one with better speeds and farther reach. And as office of that, it's launching a new video calling feature that lets you exercise some face-to-face chatting with anyone, even people who get their wireless service from a unlike provider.

Similar other mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, TextNow doesn't actually operate its own towers, instead renting space on someone else'south network. Previously, that someone else had been Sprint, which no longer exists after information technology merged with T-Mobile concluding yr. With T-Mobile getting ready to close down Sprint's CDMA-based network, that's prompting carriers similar TextNow to find a new partner.

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TextNow isn't officially saying who provides its wireless service now, but that'southward it's a GSM-based carrier. That narrows things down considerably, and all signs bespeak to TextNow simply moving its business over to T-Mobile. That'south good news for TextNow customers as the Uncarrier's network is faster than Dart'south was, and information technology has a broader attain, likewise.

There are other practical benefits also. With the move to a GSM-based carrier, TextNow is dropping the toll of its SIM cards to $4.99 after previously charging $9.99. The GSM SIM volition work with more than phones, as well — roughly 75% of the devices in the U.S. versus 25% that worked with Sprint's network.

In addition to the motion to a new carrier, TextNow is launching a video calling service reminiscent of Apple's FaceTime. And just equally FaceTime is adding a web-based interface to let Android and Windows users participate in video chats, TextNow's version just requires you have a person's mobile number to invite them to chat face-to-face.

Enter a number into the TextNow app (Android, iOS), and and so yous tap the video calling icon instead of the usual phone icon. Assuming the person you're calling isn't on TextNow too, they'll get a text message with a link that opens upwards a video chatting interface in the web browser on their phone.

I tested TextNow's video conversation using a loaner SIM from the carrier on my iPhone 12. I was able to place a video phone call to my wife on her Verizon-based telephone, and the video chat looked pretty abrupt on my end. (My married woman noticed a lag between video and audio on her end, though that might take been the vagaries of our network connexion.)

We called TextNow a depression-cost network, merely it might exist more than accurate to refer to it equally a "no-cost" network instead. The carrier's entry level plan includes free calls and texting via the TextNow app, with information bachelor through Wi-Fi. TextNow'south service is ad-supported, and to ditch the ads costs $9.99 a calendar month. If you need data over cellular, you can pay $20 a calendar month for 2GB, which compares somewhat favorably to T-Mobile's two.5GB Simple Connect programme ($15 per month) but is dwarfed by the all-time Mint Mobile plans, where y'all tin can get 10GB of data for $xx/calendar month.

Still, with video calling now part of TextNow's service, you can see the carrier making a play to be included among the best cheap telephone plans.

TextNow'southward move to a GSM network only covers LTE coverage, though a spokesperson told u.s. that people with 5G-uniform phones will exist able to selection up the parent visitor's 5G network where it's bachelor. (Again, if this is T-Mobile we're talking most, that's good news as T-Mobile 5G currently enjoys the widest achieve of any carrier.) TextNow hopes to expand 5G accessibility to more of its customers in the hereafter.

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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom'due south Guide. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics and one-time movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.