Does T-Mobile support 3G on iPhone 4S

PhiladelphiaX · Dec 16, 2012, 12:26 PM

I was wondering if T-Mobile supports 3G on the iPhone 4S. This would include:

their 1700 MHz UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ (3G/4G) and their 1900 MHz UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ (3G/4G)

NOT their 1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G)

In other words, if I get an unlocked iPhone 4S for T-Mobile, will I be able to get access to a 3G network or do all iPhone 4S' have to use their 2G EDGE - assuming I live in a big metro area where I'm most likely to have good service?

What about an unlocked iPhone 5? Would that be able to access 3G or would that also be limited to only 2G EDGE (until they finish rolling out their 4GLTE)?

Applejuiced · Dec 16, 2012, 12:29 PM

If you're in a refarmed 3G area you will get 3G with every iPhone model besides the original 2G iPhone.
But those places in the US are still limited as they expand their coverage.

Jordan921 · Dec 16, 2012, 12:52 PM

In certain areas yes.

PhiladelphiaX · Dec 16, 2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Applejuiced

If you're in a refarmed 3G area you will get 3G with every iPhone model besides the original 2G iPhone.
But those places in the US are still limited as they expand their coverage.

How can I know for sure that I have 3G in my area? On my mom's phone, it shows a 3G in the upper left hand corner of her phone - full bars, too.

But she doesn't own an iPhone -- even though she doesn't have an iPhone, does this verify that I'll get 3G coverage on my iPhone in my area or is it phone specific?

tardman91 · Dec 16, 2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

How can I know for sure that I have 3G in my area?

You can check T-Mobile's website or look on tmonews.com. They usually have all the latest information on the updated markets.

wordoflife · Dec 16, 2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

How can I know for sure that I have 3G in my area?

http://www.airportal.de/

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

But she doesn't own an iPhone -- even though she doesn't have an iPhone, does this verify that I'll get 3G coverage on my iPhone in my area or is it phone specific?

Your mom's phone has 3G on the a band that is not compatible with the iPhone. Sooooo.... they're "refarming" the network to put 3G on a band that the iPhone can support. So no, what you're asking isn't the same. You'll have to check your area with that link.

viperGTS · Dec 16, 2012, 01:15 PM

Yup. Even older models of iPhone work on T-Mobile's 3G (except the 1st gen iPhone of course). But they don't get the HSPA+ speed. Still beats EDGE!

PhiladelphiaX · Dec 16, 2012, 01:21 PM

I'm still teetering on the decision of getting an iPhone 5. The LTE speeds are the only thing that entice me, though. I'm not a big fan of the design, the lightness, or the thinness of the phone. I also heard it scratches easily because of it's anodized coat.

Are speeds dramatically noticeable between LTE and 3G? The phone would be used for basic talk, text, facetime, email, web browsing, and use of application - I'd more than likely not be watching any long movies on my phone, probably not streaming either (unless I can get an unlimited data plan on TMO).

The only problem is, I'm not even sure of how promising T-Mobile's 4G LTE speeds will be. Are there any videos demonstrating their 4G LTE speeds in the very few markets they've rolled out the network in?

Applejuiced · Dec 16, 2012, 01:46 PM

I don't even think Tmobile has LTE yet.
It's just their hspa+ 3G that they call it 4G network.

araje · Dec 16, 2012, 03:33 PM

Isn't there a discussion that they will go LTE next year in the refarmed area?

I see going between 3G and E in Phoenix so I am sure help is on its way

Mr Hill · 04:53 PM

T-mobile does not have LTE in any markets yet. They won't have any cities with LTE until Spring 2013 at the earliest.

Their hspa+ 4G is fast in the few areas that have been refarmed for iPhone supported bands. Check the links other users posted above to see if your area is done yet.

PhiladelphiaX · 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hill

T-mobile does not have LTE in any markets yet. They won't have any cities with LTE until Spring 2013 at the earliest.

Their hspa+ 4G is fast in the few areas that have been refarmed for iPhone supported bands. Check the links other users posted above to see if your area is done yet.

is the iPhone 4S compatible with 4G HSPA+ ?

Nermal · Dec 16, 2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

is the iPhone 4S compatible with 4G HSPA+ ?

It's compatible (in "refarmed" areas), but not supported by Apple.

wordoflife · Dec 16, 2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

I'm still teetering on the decision of getting an iPhone 5. The LTE speeds are the only thing that entice me, though. I'm not a big fan of the design, the lightness, or the thinness of the phone. I also heard it scratches easily because of it's anodized coat.

Are speeds dramatically noticeable between LTE and 3G? The phone would be used for basic talk, text, facetime, email, web browsing, and use of application - I'd more than likely not be watching any long movies on my phone, probably not streaming either (unless I can get an unlimited data plan on TMO).

The only problem is, I'm not even sure of how promising T-Mobile's 4G LTE speeds will be. Are there any videos demonstrating their 4G LTE speeds in the very few markets they've rolled out the network in?

Lte is certainly faster but.... It depends what youll be doing. Downloading emails? Not a big difference. Streaming video? Then yes.

mrbrown · Dec 16, 2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

is the iPhone 4S compatible with 4G HSPA+ ?

Yes. The speeds on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network at quite good from what I understand...

PhiladelphiaX · Dec 16, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nermal

It's compatible (in "refarmed" areas), but not supported by Apple.

What do you mean "not supported by Apple"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbrown

Yes. The speeds on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network at quite good from what I understand...

How do if I know if my area has the HSPA+?

This map shows my area as having "excellent" coverage but the dark green is labeled as 3G/4G, so I'm not sure which I'd get in my area.

Nermal · Dec 16, 2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

What do you mean "not supported by Apple"?

It's not part of the official specs so Apple won't help if you have trouble with it. Having said that, if my understanding is correct then you shouldn't have any problems anyway.

tymaster50 · Dec 16, 2012, 08:35 PM

There is a whole thread about what areas T-mobile supports 3G on, it was on the front page this morning when I checked, prob takes a 2 second search to find it but that would have answered your question better.

Mr Hill · Dec 16, 2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiladelphiaX

What do you mean "not supported by Apple"?

How do if I know if my area has the HSPA+?

This map shows my area as having "excellent" coverage but the dark green is labeled as 3G/4G, so I'm not sure which I'd get in my area.

The T-Mobile coverage map shows data strength for phones that use their 1700mhz band. This doesn't apply to the iPhone. You can use their maps to get an idea how your voice coverage will be though.

Unofficial map of areas that get 3G here: www.airportal.de

Latest official announcement from T-Mobile: 23 total Markets Live

Boston, LA, Philly, NY, San Diego still in progress being worked on.

http://www.tmonews.com/2012/12/t-mob...s-total-to-23/

Dec 16, 2012, 12:26 PM	#1
PhiladelphiaX macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012	Does T-Mobile support 3G on iPhone 4S I was wondering if T-Mobile supports 3G on the iPhone 4S. This would include: their 1700 MHz UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ (3G/4G) and their 1900 MHz UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ (3G/4G) NOT their 1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G) In other words, if I get an unlocked iPhone 4S for T-Mobile, will I be able to get access to a 3G network or do all iPhone 4S' have to use their 2G EDGE - assuming I live in a big metro area where I'm most likely to have good service? What about an unlocked iPhone 5? Would that be able to access 3G or would that also be limited to only 2G EDGE (until they finish rolling out their 4GLTE)?
	0

Dec 16, 2012, 04:27 PM	#11
Mr Hill macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC	T-mobile does not have LTE in any markets yet. They won't have any cities with LTE until Spring 2013 at the earliest. Their hspa+ 4G is fast in the few areas that have been refarmed for iPhone supported bands. Check the links other users posted above to see if your area is done yet. Last edited by Nermal; Dec 16, 2012 at 04:53 PM. Reason: double post
	0

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Dec 16, 2012, 12:29 PM	#2
Applejuiced macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: At the iPhone hacks section.	If you're in a refarmed 3G area you will get 3G with every iPhone model besides the original 2G iPhone. But those places in the US are still limited as they expand their coverage.
	0

Dec 16, 2012, 12:52 PM	#3
Jordan921 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bay Area	In certain areas yes.
	0

Dec 16, 2012, 01:15 PM	#7
viperGTS macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2010	Yup. Even older models of iPhone work on T-Mobile's 3G (except the 1st gen iPhone of course). But they don't get the HSPA+ speed. Still beats EDGE!
	1

Dec 16, 2012, 01:21 PM	#8
PhiladelphiaX Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012	I'm still teetering on the decision of getting an iPhone 5. The LTE speeds are the only thing that entice me, though. I'm not a big fan of the design, the lightness, or the thinness of the phone. I also heard it scratches easily because of it's anodized coat. Are speeds dramatically noticeable between LTE and 3G? The phone would be used for basic talk, text, facetime, email, web browsing, and use of application - I'd more than likely not be watching any long movies on my phone, probably not streaming either (unless I can get an unlimited data plan on TMO). The only problem is, I'm not even sure of how promising T-Mobile's 4G LTE speeds will be. Are there any videos demonstrating their 4G LTE speeds in the very few markets they've rolled out the network in?
	0

Dec 16, 2012, 01:46 PM	#9
Applejuiced macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: At the iPhone hacks section.	I don't even think Tmobile has LTE yet. It's just their hspa+ 3G that they call it 4G network.
	0

Dec 16, 2012, 03:33 PM	#10
araje macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2012	Isn't there a discussion that they will go LTE next year in the refarmed area? I see going between 3G and E in Phoenix so I am sure help is on its way
	1

Dec 16, 2012, 08:35 PM	#18
tymaster50 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New Jersey	There is a whole thread about what areas T-mobile supports 3G on, it was on the front page this morning when I checked, prob takes a 2 second search to find it but that would have answered your question better.
	0