T-Mobile's John Legere Talks Apple SIM, iPhone 6 Demand, and Landing the iPhone

MacRumors · Oct 27, 2014

T-Mobile CEO John Legere today took the stage at Re/code's Code/Mobile event in Half Moon Bay, California, where he spoke on the new Apple SIM, demand for the iPhone 6 Plus, and the importance of selling the iPhone.

According to Legere, the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus was T-Mobile's biggest phone launch the company had ever seen, and Legere called demand for the iPhone 6 Plus "mind blowing." He said that it skewed very differently from what the company anticipated, and while he couldn't comment on the current demand ratio, he said at one point it was around 55/45 rather than the 75/25 or 80/20 projected in favor of the iPhone 6. Legere said that while the backlog is coming down, it will be awhile before the company is able to provide devices to everyone.

While on stage, Legere sorted out much of the confusion surrounding the Apple SIM, which is designed to allow users to easily switch from carrier to carrier with their iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3. According to Legere, when bought from Apple, the SIM card in the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 offers customers complete flexibility, letting them choose Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T.

iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 devices that Apple sent to T-Mobile and AT&T for sale include Apple SIMs that are pre-coded to each carrier, which means the SIM cards can't be used interchangeably. Because the iPads purchased directly from Apple are usable with any participating carrier (Verizon has opted out), Legere recommends that users purchase the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 directly from an Apple Store.

Apple SIMs from an iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 purchased from the Apple Store and then associated with a T-Mobile plan will remain unlocked and usable with other carrier plans, but an Apple SIM activated on an AT&T plan will be permanently locked to the carrier, requiring a new Apple SIM if a user wants to switch plans.

Legere also commented on the importance of the iPhone, stating that "[a] store without the iPhone is sh*t," and attributing much of T-Mobile's recent success to its partnership with Apple. Legere noted one of his tasks upon taking the reins of T-Mobile two years ago was to do whatever it took to land the iPhone, and he accomplished it, noting that he was willing to "get down on his knees" to make a deal happen.

Full interview with John Legere (Caution: some strong language)

Just ahead of Legere's appearance at Code/Mobile, T-Mobile announced its Q3 2014 earnings, noting that it saw its biggest growth quarter in the company's history. T-Mobile added 2.3 million customers during the quarter (1.4 million postpaid net adds), with revenue up 10.6 percent to $5.7 billion. T-Mobile also announced that it hit its LTE goals for 2014, bringing LTE service to 250 million customers.

Since 2013, T-Mobile has been on a quest to revamp the mobile industry with a series of Un-carrier initiatives that have thus far seen it uncoupling device fees from service charges, encouraging customers to switch to T-Mobile by paying early termination fees, offering a JUMP! upgrade plan, providing unlimited texting and 2G data in 100 countries, letting customers test drive an iPhone at no cost, offering free streaming music, and bringing Wi-Fi calling to all T-Mobile customers with compatible devices.

Article Link: T-Mobile's John Legere Talks Apple SIM, iPhone 6 Demand, and Landing the iPhone

TechGod · Oct 27, 2014

I wish we had a crazy carrier like that here.

IndoX · Oct 27, 2014

Those are some pretty impressive gains for T-Mobile. Hopefully they'll join the ranks of Verizon and AT&T given enough time.

iCore24 · Oct 27, 2014

Can someone find the video of this?

Eduardo1971 · Oct 27, 2014

For better or worse-there is not a (current) CEO outspoken like him.

yaboyac29 · Oct 27, 2014

He keeps it real. Need more CEOs like this

TsMkLg068426 · Oct 27, 2014

How about dropping the price for iPhone 6 first and bringing back 32 GB back and getting rid of 16 GB? Oh wait this is Apple and we companies like AT&T.

BillyMatt87 · Oct 27, 2014

I think John Legere is one hell of a CEO and I T-Mobile has done an incredible job shaking up the wireless industry.

That being said, T-Mobile's service (coverage-wise) is atrocious, I switched from Sprint (a really bad service provider in its own right) and I was impressed with the data speeds in the few areas that I had solid coverage but I had such little coverage that I ultimately switched to Verizon when I got my iPhone 6 and haven't looked back.

Verizon and AT&T are the only good carriers in the US and while they're pricier than T-Mobile and Sprint, you definitely get what you pay for.

cowbellallen · Oct 27, 2014

This guy is the main reason I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile. I sold my unlimited Verizon plan for $600 once the iPhone 6 was announced, and now my bill is half of what it used to be. Customer service has been great, especially their Twitter support.

I'll mention that their iPhone launch was absolutely terrible, but so was everyone else's. T-Mobile wouldn't even let new customers buy the phone online, only existing members.

If T-Mobile service is good in your area, this guy is a great reason to switch. CEOs like this are very rare and need to be supported.

nostaws · Oct 27, 2014

I've been a t-mobile user for some time. I have been really happy with their service. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but in my city, I have great service.

I have been with them since a jailbroken/unlocked/gevy sim iPhone 3g. coincidentally I just had to deal with their support line tonight and they did right by me.

I just hope they can stick around vs. ATT and Verizon.

Limboistik · Oct 27, 2014

1. His outspoken identity is obviously part of a worthy PR effort, he's a marketable character and asset to the T-mobile brand, it's a classic David vs. Goliath. However I don't think this is his real attitude off camera.

2. He has done a good job of making drastic changes, but how does he earn the support of his board? Or perhaps the board was the ones wise enough to realize they need a character like him to execute their recent disruptive plans for long term gains? Either way a CEO alone can't take the company this far, they're sustaining losses in the short term, but I think they are definitely on the right path for long term growth. This is something a short-sighted board would not allow.

Chatter · Oct 27, 2014

So for those that may not have good service in their areas, I understand why you want to stay with ATT or Verizon. Makes complete sense. TMo LTE speeds rock and they are great in metro areas so give them a chance if you can.

I also connect to ATT towers (calls and texts) for the most part in rural areas so its a good option for me.

stasha · Oct 27, 2014

I like that dude

hovercast · Oct 27, 2014

I wonder what he was doing while on his knees trying to get the iPhone.

A MacBook lover · Oct 27, 2014

Love the 6+ on T-Mobile. Bill is never a surprise, and it's cheap! Speed in amazing. Unlimited data.

Something every carrier should do.

Windlasher · Oct 27, 2014

BillyMatt87 said:
I think John Legere is one hell of a CEO and I T-Mobile has done an incredible job shaking up the wireless industry.

That being said, T-Mobile's service (coverage-wise) is atrocious, I switched from Sprint (a really bad service provider in its own right) and I was impressed with the data speeds in the few areas that I had solid coverage but I had such little coverage that I ultimately switched to Verizon when I got my iPhone 6 and haven't looked back.

Verizon and AT&T are the only good carriers in the US and while they're pricier than T-Mobile and Sprint, you definitely get what you pay for.

SO you haven't looked back for the 2 or 3 weeks you've had your iPhone 6 and traveled all over the country to notice the good and the bad in that time? Good to know.

redman042 · Oct 27, 2014

Look at how much Apple has shaken up the mobile industry since the iphone was launched. The carriers will drop to their knees (figuratively or literally) to sell Apple's products, with no bloatware or customization or logos of any kind.

Times have sure changed.

JustThinkin' · Oct 27, 2014

BillyMatt87 said:
I think John Legere is one hell of a CEO and I T-Mobile has done an incredible job shaking up the wireless industry.

That being said, T-Mobile's service (coverage-wise) is atrocious, I switched from Sprint (a really bad service provider in its own right) and I was impressed with the data speeds in the few areas that I had solid coverage but I had such little coverage that I ultimately switched to Verizon when I got my iPhone 6 and haven't looked back.

Verizon and AT&T are the only good carriers in the US and while they're pricier than T-Mobile and Sprint, you definitely get what you pay for.

This depends heavily on where you live and travel. I was at a huge running meet this weekend, and Verizon was the only one of the 4 carriers that was awful all day - it was totally unusable, even though it had 4 LTE bars (0.05-0.1 Mbps up or down, vs. 0.5-20Mbps for the others).

But sure, Verizon's more widely spaced towers are great when you're in uncongested, semi-rural areas. Of course when those areas become congested ... look out!

Don't make the mistake of assuming everyone's service is bad in the spots where Verizon is bad. No single carrier rules this land - not by any stretch.

iolinux333 · Oct 27, 2014

Maybe this guy could run Apple when TC is moved out.

Sonmi451 · Oct 27, 2014

I really wish I could use T Mobile, but they aren't as good in my area, and I have my unlimited plan, and a really nice discount.

69Mustang · Oct 27, 2014

Windlasher said:
SO you haven't looked back for the 2 or 3 weeks you've had your iPhone 6 and traveled all over the country to notice the good and the bad in that time? Good to know.

I'm pretty sure if Billy lived in Omaha and T-Mobile had great service in Phoenix, T Mo would be a great option for him.

Good cell service is conditional on where you are and where you use your phone. Everyone doesn't travel so for some travel is not a consideration. Though they're both more expensive, Verizon and AT&T have the best coverage overall.

I'm on Sprint, but that's a company decision. I would prefer Verizon or AT&T. Not because of their pricing or customer service, but because of their blanket coverage.

H2SO4 · Oct 27, 2014

Was with him right up until he said stores without the iPhone were s!£*
I have an iPhone and I like it.
Others for reasons I cannot quite get prefer Android and that's fine. I don't think they are **** though.
Can't take him seriously.

Solomani · Oct 27, 2014

IndoX said:
Those are some pretty impressive gains for T-Mobile. Hopefully they'll join the ranks of Verizon and AT&T given enough time.

That's assuming some gigantic Japanese or European conglomerate doesn't succeed buying out T-Mobile first.

Remember that there are several companies that were already planning to do exactly that. Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son and SoftBank recently acquired Sprint not long ago. And he has his eyes on T-Mobile as an even juicier prize.

I do hope that Legere prevents T-Mobile from being sold any time soon.

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iolinux333 said:
Maybe this guy could run Apple when TC is moved out.

Then he'd be foaming at the mouth and calling Samsung and Eric Schmidt sh!£* on a daily basis.

Yr Blues · Oct 27, 2014

H2SO4 said:
Was with him right up until he said stores without the iPhone were s!£*
I have an iPhone and I like it.
Others for reasons I cannot quite get prefer Android and that's fine. I don't think they are **** though.
Can't take him seriously.

He's like Amazon's Jeff Bezos, a market disruptor. We need more risk taking CEOs to make competition favor the consumer.

H2SO4 · Oct 27, 2014

Yr Blues said:
He's like Amazon's Jeff Bezos, a market disruptor. We need more risk taking CEOs to make competition favor the consumer.

We do, but I like the term, 'Everything in moderation. hes over the top. I just wind up thinking what a fool he seems.

T-Mobile's John Legere Talks Apple SIM, iPhone 6 Demand, and Landing the iPhone

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