Only TMO says that. That is because they did not plan to rollout LTE until the ATT purchase fell through. You will not hear ATT, Rogers...etc. saying that their GSM or WCDMA infrastructure is 4G...regardless of the data rates. It is not until LTE that there is an all IP network which means using VoIP, and doing simultaneous voice and data sessions. TMO is simply putting a good spin on their ability to deliver good data rates in some markets. I give their marketing group an A for effort.
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T-Mobile USA Launches Effort to Attract 'Bring Your Own iPhone' Customers
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Only TMO says that. That is because they did not plan to rollout LTE until the ATT purchase fell through. You will not hear ATT, Rogers...etc. saying that their GSM or WCDMA infrastructure is 4G...regardless of the data rates. It is not until LTE that there is an all IP network which means using VoIP, and doing simultaneous voice and data sessions. TMO is simply putting a good spin on their ability to deliver good data rates in some markets. I give their marketing group an A for effort.
WCDMA handles voice and data at the same time too, and LTE isn't 4G either...unless you count the redefinition where everything is 4G lol
They should have done what EE did in the UK, and joined their network with AT&T's, but stayed separate in marketing and phones. The combined network would have been epic, whether through merger or partnership.
I have my iPhone on T-Mobile, and Edge seems usable on message boards, but for everything else it's hell! 
if you bring your own unlocked iPhone to T-Mobile, can you use it with one of their no-contract plans? e.g. their "Monthly4G" unlimited talk text & web plan?
or do you have to sign a contract to do BYOiP?
also, what data speeds are people with an iPhone 4S seeing in NYC?
UPDATE:
Followup to answer my own question, was able to get a microSIM card at a T-mobile store and while there sign up for their "web only" $30 Monthly4G plan (no contract, 100min, unlimited txt & data). The service rep set everything up and my son is now using his unlocked iPhone 4S in Manhattan and reports 3G speeds. Of course no visual voicemail, but otherwise no "hacks" to get it working
or do you have to sign a contract to do BYOiP?
also, what data speeds are people with an iPhone 4S seeing in NYC?
UPDATE:
Followup to answer my own question, was able to get a microSIM card at a T-mobile store and while there sign up for their "web only" $30 Monthly4G plan (no contract, 100min, unlimited txt & data). The service rep set everything up and my son is now using his unlocked iPhone 4S in Manhattan and reports 3G speeds. Of course no visual voicemail, but otherwise no "hacks" to get it working
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Has anyone heard anything on T-Mobile's Visual Voicemail app? This would be the bargaining chip to get me on that carrier within hours.