I believe Mint does operate off of T-Mobile towers. Also, I think T-Mobile may now own MetroPCS, but I am not sure about that. I have not been a MetroPCS customer for quite a few years now. I believe you about the condition of the towers, though. I have been with Cricket for the last few years, and they are owned by ATT, so they operate off of ATT towers. I have only ever had one problem in reaching a couple of numbers. That was a long story....never resolved and still have no idea where is the problem. I dial around it now by calling other numbers and asking to be transferred.
You mentioned FaceTime...that was one of the most exciting things to me about switching to Mac and iPhone. I have had my Mac about 11 years or so, and I have been with iphone for about 6 years, and I STILL have not used it. Everyone I would want to use it with is still using Windows computers and Android phones. After a couple of years, I sort of forgot about FaceTime. Now, I am so old and in such "disrepair" that it is probably better I do not use it!
By the way, does FaceTime work with anyone in the world who has Mac and/or iPhone??
I am using texts more than ever before, though. Honestly, I prefer emails, but part of the reason for getting the larger screen iPhone was the hope of letting my ISP go. If I do that, and it is imminent at the end of this month, then I will rely on my mobile data more than ever. I have 5GB data with Cricket, but until recently virtually 100% of it went unused every single month. Looks like that is going to change very soon, though.
Thanks, 933.