Metro PCS: new biz at 518 Myrtle

Thu, Feb 19th, 2009

Metro PCS, a new cellular phone business is moving to 518 Myrtle Avenue–next door to Blockbuster. Had a chance to speak briefly to someone waiting inside the store for a delivery yesterday. He said that they are expecting to have their doors open possibly this weekend.

According to a Crain's NY article published two weeks ago, Dallas-based Metro PCS Communications Inc. was “the surprise winner in a 2006 auction of $3.6 billion worth of licenses covering the New York area.” The companys network covers 10 million customers in the New York metropolitan area, including the five boroughs and portions of Bergen, Hudson, Union and Essex counties in New Jersey.

Also according to the Crain's article, the company is “appealing to customers to forfeit their landlines for a prepaid wireless plan” and offering prepaid plans, low rates and minimal commitment.”

Metro PCS, which also serves Philadelphia and Boston in the Northeast, hopes New York will become its biggest market within a year. The carrier currently has 5.4 million subscribers nationwide.