Ting's GSM network has now launched in open beta

Ting, the Sprint MVNO, has just launched an open beta test for its GSM network. In early December, the MVNO started testing its GSM network through an invite-only system, and the network has now come into fruition. In the past, Ting was only available as a CDMA carrier using Sprint as a network partner. But the decision to launch a GSM network was ultimately decided so that (mostly) all customers with an unlocked device could switch to the carrier.

Ting adds:

We’ve sent out invitations in the thousands with a majority of people taking us up on the offer. We’ve used the feedback we’ve received from our intrepid testers to further refine the activation process and the way we confirm that devices are compatible. Another thing we’ve been working on is making the switch from the CDMA to the GSM network easy for those that want to move their service or one of their active numbers from one to the other.

If you’d like to test out the new GSM Ting network, all you need to do is purchase a SIM card from the company and activate your device. If you’d like, Ting also mentions that you can have both CDMA and GSM phones activated on the same account.

Since this is an open beta, there are going to be a few issues with the network. Specifically, Ting warns that they’re having trouble with international roaming and international long distance. International roaming is only a problem if you’re traveling outside of North America, and that’s likely the same cause for international long distance issues. Also, Ting uses T-Mobile’s towers to power their GSM network, so if you don’t have service with T-Mobile, perhaps you want to sit this beta test out.