Sources say Sprint is dropping a requirement that made the mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) using its network—such as Ting, FreedomPop, Straight Talk, Boost, and Virgin—wait a certain period of time, usually at least a year, before offering support for the latest devices.
Up until now, that meant that Sprint MVNO carriers like Ting have only offered support for last generation devices. With the lifting of the requirement, Ting is getting set to announce support for both iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Other Sprint partners will likely follow.
Users that purchase a SIM-free unlocked iPhone 6 or 6 Plus can soon bring and activate it on one of Ting’s no-contract, usage-based plans that start as low as $3 a month.
While it appears that Ting is one of the first of Sprint’s MVNO partners to roll out support for iPhone 6, the change means other smaller and regional carriers operating on Sprint’s network should now be able to do the same.
For Ting, the moves comes just as it’s about to land support for almost all devices anyway as it makes a deal with T-Mobile to offer support for GSM devices on its network. In the past, Ting required customers to bring a Sprint supported, CDMA device when signing up with its plans, but in the coming weeks the carrier will also support GSM devices through the new deal with T-Mobile.
