Sprint's MVNO Ting Adds Support For The iPhone 5
Sprint's mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Ting, which only charges users for the minutes, texts, and data they use each month, has added support for Apple's iPhone 5. The change means iPhone owners now have another option when it comes to picking a more flexible carrier for their handset.
Back in November we explained that Ting had added support for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s in “beta.” The no-contract carrier noted at the time that support for the iPhone 5 was also inbound, and now in a press release (via Engadget) the MVNO has announced the news publicly.
The press release explains:
If you’ve got a compatible iPhone 5 in hand you can activate it now. If you don’t have one in hand but you’re in the market, you’ve got options. Hit the Ting used devices page to let the Ting personal shopper team scour the used device listings on sites like eBay for you and then send along a few worthy candidates for your hard-earned money. Or, buy an iPhone via our partner Glyde.
The obvious downside is that Ting isn't selling the iPhone 5 directly, but if you're able to bring a handset to the network the benefits are aplenty. Because users are only billed for the minutes, texts, and data they consume, mobile device owners making the switch could save a lot of money.
Ting estimates that 98 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers would indeed benefit from switching to the service; its users pay an average monthly bill of $21 and save around $440 per year. Support for the iPhone 5 means mobile subscribers in the United States now have another reason to ditch their carrier and sign-up with the MVNO.
The iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c aren't yet supported by Ting, and it's likely Sprint will hold onto exclusivity until Apple's next-generation smartphone comes along. We'll keep you posted on this front.
For more information on the service, head over to Ting's website.
See also: More Secure Snapchat Alternative Wickr Updated With Universal Support For iPad, ZiiLABS Goes After Apple, Samsung For Infringing Its Graphics Patents, and San Francisco Signs-Off On Apple's Flagship Union Square Store.
