TiPb's hearing that T-Mobile is well on their way to prepping their iPhone 5 roll out, likely for this October (which just so happens to coincide with the timeline we previously heard Apple was considering for launch). If Sprint iPhone 5 rumors are to be believed, along with previous rumors of iPhone test units running on T-Mobile, we could finally see Apple's devices on all four major US carriers this year.
While also a GSM/HSPA/HSPA+ network, T-Mobile iPhone 5 would have to work on AWS (Advanced Wireless Services, which operate in the 1700 and 2100 bands), a very different set of 3G frequencies than AT&T. Whether or not Apple could combine all those frequencies into one GSM iPhone 5 antenna array, never mind a single CDMA/GSM "world phone" that could work on Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile, is the question.
AT&T is also into the process of trying to acquire T-Mobile US, in part to use their AWS spectrum to boost AT&T's own LTE 4G rollout. How, if at all, that would affect an AWS iPhone 4 is unknown. However, Canadian carriers Moblicity, Wind, and Videotron use the same 3G bands as T-Mobile US, so an AWS-compatible iPhone 5 would still have some limited international appeal.
Reader comments
iPhone 5 also headed to T-Mobile USA this fall?
I will be upgrading my current Android phone to an iPhone if it comes to T-Mo. Please let this be true!
I hope it's true too, been waiting for iPhone for a looooooonnnngggg time. T-Mo needs this big time!!!
I wish T-Mobile never sold me service in my area.. The signal covered 25% of the time. They blamed it on the sim card being expired.. I then blamed them for not keeping mine freshly up to date! I'm the customer paying the bill! I'm battling the early termination now.
Tried Verizon for a week.. I had awesome coverage but it didn't work at my employer's place.. It's an employer shared minutes plan, so kind of important that my employer has a cell phone that works in his house.. Incidentally my employer lives just over a hill where Verizon has no communication to: in the greater Chimacum Valley, where many do not get Verizon signal... However, there are few more AT&T towers here.. After switching to AT&T, 4 to 5 bars of signal where there was 0 or 1 for Verizon.. Great iPhone 4 on Verizon; 3G was faster than previous edge with T-Mobile in my area, but only 1/3 as fast as what I eventually settle on: AT&T
Switched to AT&T.. Now have 3G on an iPhone 4, 2Mbps down, 1Mbps up. So far, happy with AT&T.. I highly recommend the $30 free texting and unlimited mobile to mobile plan.. free minutes to any cell phone call.. I like data and call at the same time.. Makes today's iPhone a real smart phone when you can use it for other things while it's in a phone call..
DOJ blocked the buying of T-Mobile.. Check this out:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-torres/dojs-lawsuit-blocking-attb944057.html
T-mobile needs this phone...I know Android is great but think of the revenue the iPhone brings in for companies.
There won't be any added revenue if the phone is on all 4 major carriers. Anyone on T-Mobile is there because the service is cheap. Few people are ever looking to switch to TMO because they desire any of their handsets.
So if PERSON A is paying $80/mth and PERSON B is paying $40/mth for exact same service... who is the goofball?
Adding the iPhone to a carrier that offers GREAT (not cheap) service is the ultimate combo, for the consumer!
You'd be right... IF they were the EXACT SAME SERVICE... I'm a TMO customer and the service is great when I'm home (NY/NJ metro). Soon as I go anywhere rural, I'm lucky if I can make a call, even luckier if I can use data. If all carriers had the same level of service, why does TMO not have the most users, with is rock bottom prices?
The answer isn't handsets
I see what you're saying but its not about having the most users. Having the most users isn't just about pricing, it also includes things like phone selection, coverage area and how long you've been in the game.
For yourself though, why are you still with T-Mo if they don't cover everywhere you go? Unless the rural area isn't of that much concern for you...
Stick with TMO for pricing. I don't do a lot of traveling so coverage is not a concern, more of an annoyance.
Speaking of which.. T-Mobile offered unlimited data plans on the smartphones, but of what use is unlimited data in an Edge area with a 25% reliability for signal?
I can conclude, that as much as people say TMO is affordable, they might be, but not for smart phones, and definitely not for me.. I went from $90 some bucks a month with the Samsung Vibrant with data plan, etc, down to $60 a month for a phone that not only works better than any Android I've owned in the past, but the service coverage and data rates are %3000 better... That's just a case that applies to my situation... TMO may be cheaper for you, but it wasn't for me.. As well, price is relative.
It's nice to talk, but it helps to know what you are talking ABOUT. Service is not "cheap" on T-mobile, it's reasonable. It's expensive on Verizon and AT&T. T-mobile has some of the better handsets available anywhere, and many people fled AT&T and went to Tmo because they were tired of being overcharged and underserved. Tmobile still has the largest 4g network out there. They were first with an Android phone, and continue to push and get great handsets that people can use to their fullest because it's "cheap", meaning we don't get killed for USING our phones. Many of us were dreading the takeover by AT&T and THAT would be the only reason to bail.
Dumb question: does resale of old iPhones drop substantially when no one on tmobile needs to buy unlocked phones anymore? It was always nice to have that high resale of
old iPhones when purchasing a new iPhone.
The resale value of old iPhones stays pretty high since there is only one model compared to the current one.
New UI plz.
I dobut that will happen. Maybe iOS 6. Apple seems to love grid OS.
Dunno about CDMA/GSM, but GSM "penta-band" phones were and continue to be done quite brilliantly by Nokia. So I have every confidence that Apple could do one too if they put their best minds on it.
While every carrier should want the iPhone, this will be big for an even better reason. It will help Apple fans see how far below Android their phones really are. I can't wait until Apple falls further and further behind even with all four carriers in the U.S.
kinda a silly comment to make don't you think? Apple gives Google much needed competition which makes Android better... Also, the iphone wont be far behind when the 5 comes out, if anything they will be ahead. i have a had an EVO 3D since launch and let me tell you how annoying this phone can be sometimes. iphones run way smoother and don't force close apps 8 times a day. so stop your OS crusade and be happy that there are multiple choices out there.
Okay, as long the OS on Apple products running smoother, than the Android OS, why Apple suing Samsung! Did that mean Apple products failed and not that good?
This is a rumor that has been all over the internet and sounds more and more official each day :) even though im an 100% Android lover, this will be big for Apple and T-Mobile. And i can bet that the T-Mobile version will outsell all the other carriers just watch!!!
Latest form of technology cloud computing - experience this on..... iPhone 5
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Mike
T mobile and AT&T on verge of breaking of tie up, sued by american court
www.apple-iphone.in
who cares
i want a pre3 damn it
Lol Same here man
I hope the iPhone5 doesn't mind being a hotspot for my TouchPad.
It's nice to talk, but it helps to know what you are talking ABOUT. Service is not "cheap" on T-mobile, it's reasonable. It's expensive on Verizon and AT&T. T-mobile has some of the better handsets available anywhere, and many people fled AT&T and went to Tmo because they were tired of being overcharged and underserved. Tmobile still has the largest 4g network out there. They were first with an Android phone, and continue to push and get great handsets that people can use to their fullest because it's "cheap", meaning we don't get killed for USING our phones. Many of us were dreading the takeover by AT&T and THAT would be the only reason to bail.