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iPhone Coming to T-Mobile in U.S. This Quarter?
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I KNEW there was a GOOD reason for Apple's guidance being 1 BILLION over expectations for the next quarter!!! 
AND, I KNEW there was a reason that this iPhone 4 "antennagate" "fix" with cases was ONLY TILL SEPTEMBER, and then Steve said they would "REEVALUATE"! Ya, seemed pretty clear to me that there might be a slight hardware revision while already in the process of making a few tweaks for it to be on other carriers!
I have been expecting the iPhone to open up this fall for a while. Just didn't know which network(s) would get it for sure! I figured T-Mobile was more likely due to the networks being the same platform though.
P.S. If Apple does tweak iPhone hardware, I BETTER GET A NEW ONE! They might have another huge PR nightmare on their hands with millions of VERY angry iPhone 4 buyers!
AND, I KNEW there was a reason that this iPhone 4 "antennagate" "fix" with cases was ONLY TILL SEPTEMBER, and then Steve said they would "REEVALUATE"! Ya, seemed pretty clear to me that there might be a slight hardware revision while already in the process of making a few tweaks for it to be on other carriers!
I have been expecting the iPhone to open up this fall for a while. Just didn't know which network(s) would get it for sure! I figured T-Mobile was more likely due to the networks being the same platform though.
P.S. If Apple does tweak iPhone hardware, I BETTER GET A NEW ONE!
They might have another huge PR nightmare on their hands with millions of VERY angry iPhone 4 buyers!Not really.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20010427-266.html
I think it is more so a story about how Sprint and T-mobile would perhaps share costs of deploying a LTE network eventually. For the moment they each are not going to LTE over the next several years. Sprint is deploying "WiMax" 4G tech. T-mobile is going to stick with HSPA+ longer and defer LTE to some far distant point.
If it turns out they somehow get burned on the WiMax/HSPA+ strategy one way of more quickly deploying a LTE (3.9G) or real 4G network later would be to jointly roll it out or at very least have a deep co-share arrangement. A co-share arrangement similar to how T-mobile had access to Cingular (now ATT) EDGE network to provide wider coverage. If they each deployed LTE in 20 non overlapping cities then that would roll out at a faster rate.
Looks more like Sprint wants a cover story for next year when Verizon and ATT start media war on who has better LTE. At some point someone is going to paint doom and gloom on Sprint because don't have a LTE answer.
If Sprint and T-mobile can each get to the 40-50+% deployed staged next year that will be a better answer.
Far, far, far into future if both had transitioned over 50% of their userbase to LTE phones then it would be easier to merge the two networks. Sprint still hasn't full recovered from buying Nextel and T-mobile doesn't has lots of slack in executing new strategies either.
you wrote that article? let me educate you really quickly...Tmobile iPhones show full bars because THEY ARE ON EDGE, not 3G...AT&T has just as much if not more edge coverage than tmobile....EPIC BLOG FAIL
Makes Perfect Sense, But I Hope It Is Wrong
Adding T-Mobile as a carrier makes sense, no redesign of the the phone is needed as the T-Mobile system is the same as AT&T (although it is on a different frequency). Adding T-Mobile compatibility should be relatively easy.
I hope the rumor is wrong. I am a T-Mobile customer and their 3G network is a nicely ignored network as the VZW and AT&T duke it out. My experience mirrors that of a recent CNET unscientific test that showed T-Mobile provided consistently better data performance than VZW, AT&T or Sprint. This may be a result of T-Moblie being #4 and not having the network congestion of its bigger rivals. So, I hope the rumor is wrong and the iPhone will not be eating bandwidth on the T-Mobile network.
Adding T-Mobile as a carrier makes sense, no redesign of the the phone is needed as the T-Mobile system is the same as AT&T (although it is on a different frequency). Adding T-Mobile compatibility should be relatively easy.
I hope the rumor is wrong. I am a T-Mobile customer and their 3G network is a nicely ignored network as the VZW and AT&T duke it out. My experience mirrors that of a recent CNET unscientific test that showed T-Mobile provided consistently better data performance than VZW, AT&T or Sprint. This may be a result of T-Moblie being #4 and not having the network congestion of its bigger rivals. So, I hope the rumor is wrong and the iPhone will not be eating bandwidth on the T-Mobile network.
iPhone 4 on T-mobile now
I'm using an iPhone 4 on T-mobile now.
1. Had to cut down my mini-sim to micro-sim size. That was not difficult.
2. Had to get it from Europe (UK) so it was factory unlocked. Not difficult, but not subsidized.
3. Works nicely except only on EDGE, not 3G - presumably due to the frequency issue. In theory, it should be relatively easy to open up the new frequency (e.g. no additional antenna/chip needed etc, just tuning to another frequency like a regular radio). Hopefully the chips support it. IIRC they can.
4. No visual voicemail. Not a big deal.
5. T-Mobile on iPhone 3GS (on 3.x and 4.0.0) was having trouble receiving MMS, but sending okay (e.g. Google "the media content was not included due to a picture resolution or message size restriction"). Not sure if iPhone 4 running 4.01 is still doing it.
6. Since EDGE and not 3G, can't using internet/mail etc while on the phone. Not a big deal.
7. Gets equivalent or better reception in the areas (Florida only so far) I use it with iPhone 3GS's on AT&T - e.g. same areas, bars etc. (EDGE vs 3G of course).
8. iPhone 4 has performed equal or better in reception and dropped calls in the 2.5 weeks I've been running it on T-Mobile US as compared to previously with iPhone 3GS.
All in all, it (and 3GS and 3G) have worked great on T-Mobile USA with the exception of 3G vs EDGE, so it would be welcome to have it officially supported.
BUT, I'll believe it when I see it. Seems unlikely that it would launch in 2 months, 1 week. Could be just a software upgrade to tune correctly, but seems kind of rushed given past history.
I'm using an iPhone 4 on T-mobile now.
1. Had to cut down my mini-sim to micro-sim size. That was not difficult.
2. Had to get it from Europe (UK) so it was factory unlocked. Not difficult, but not subsidized.
3. Works nicely except only on EDGE, not 3G - presumably due to the frequency issue. In theory, it should be relatively easy to open up the new frequency (e.g. no additional antenna/chip needed etc, just tuning to another frequency like a regular radio). Hopefully the chips support it. IIRC they can.
4. No visual voicemail. Not a big deal.
5. T-Mobile on iPhone 3GS (on 3.x and 4.0.0) was having trouble receiving MMS, but sending okay (e.g. Google "the media content was not included due to a picture resolution or message size restriction"). Not sure if iPhone 4 running 4.01 is still doing it.
6. Since EDGE and not 3G, can't using internet/mail etc while on the phone. Not a big deal.
7. Gets equivalent or better reception in the areas (Florida only so far) I use it with iPhone 3GS's on AT&T - e.g. same areas, bars etc. (EDGE vs 3G of course).
8. iPhone 4 has performed equal or better in reception and dropped calls in the 2.5 weeks I've been running it on T-Mobile US as compared to previously with iPhone 3GS.
All in all, it (and 3GS and 3G) have worked great on T-Mobile USA with the exception of 3G vs EDGE, so it would be welcome to have it officially supported.
BUT, I'll believe it when I see it. Seems unlikely that it would launch in 2 months, 1 week. Could be just a software upgrade to tune correctly, but seems kind of rushed given past history.
From Tmobile
This might help?
http://www.tmonews.com/2010/07/t-mobile-closing-its-doors-in-2011-not-so-fast/
This might help?
http://www.tmonews.com/2010/07/t-mobile-closing-its-doors-in-2011-not-so-fast/
They probably have the cash to and T-Mo isnt exactly in the position to refuse a sweet buyout offer.
You are forgetting the essential premise... in the U.S., all wireless carriers are crappy carriers. So, Is it Apple's Fault?
TMobile just announced today that by year end they will be having their HSPA+ covering about 50% of the U.S Population. Combined with ATT stating they are upgrading to HSPA+... that puts them on a par.
One would assume this allows HSD/UPA to work on the same network. getting full 7.2D/5.4U would be a good thing.
And one would assume that Apple would then be supporting HSPA+ on all devices (new iPads... which should be even bigger data hogs) prior to Xmas... and if I remember, the exclusivity clause for ATT is only for iPhone (things that make phone calls) devices (and we all know that facetime is not a 'phone call').
Call me an optimist... iPads to TMobile [and AT&T] with HSPA+ by year end, iPhones 4Gs's [s as in 'speed!;-)] in January [and the chips will all have LTE capability turned on by a $10 firmware purchase upgrade, which will ship once someone says they have over 50% of the US population covered by LTE (my bet is on verizon, although I think Verizon will negotiate themselves out of delivery like they did the first time).
Another iPad with a 7" screen, an update of the current 9.7" screen, and I also think a MacBook Air (11.3" screen 200+dpi) with 3.75GLTE (again another non iPhone) built in, will be shipping by Xmas. All of these give Apple to chance to sample a non AT&T vendor and/or hold AT&T over a negotiating barrel ("how's that exclusivity thing working out... don't want to lose it? Give us what we want").
Remember, an Ipad 3.75G/LTE with FaceTime may be very powerful non-phone... for a user and as a negotiating tool.
T-Mobile USA network can't manage the load
People are complaining about AT&T.
T-Mobile doesn't have the infrastructure to see it's back bone absorb the massive increases in data activity, the iPhone would bring.
I take the word of colleagues at various Carriers over the word of the media.
People are complaining about AT&T.
T-Mobile doesn't have the infrastructure to see it's back bone absorb the massive increases in data activity, the iPhone would bring.
I take the word of colleagues at various Carriers over the word of the media.
...They should...
That would be amazing- they would make it one of the best networks in the world, bring everything up to speed. (Dream on...)
I really can't believe that some of you think Apple would make new hardware for other carriers while leaving those who just bought an iPhone for AT&T out in the cold...you think there's backlash over the Antenna? wait until AT&T subscribers get the rope, pitchforks and torches out and call for Job's head...absoulutely not...AT&T would sue the draws off Apple...
Has anyone on this thread moved in from TMobile
I just moved from TMobile after being with them for 6 years. Although I did not have issues with their network where I live, I did encounter black holes ( no signal ) in a lot of places where I traveled.
In terms of spread, I would say At&T has a wider geographic coverage however TMobile easily is ahead in all other areas like customer service, no call drops etc. Even account management on their website is far more advanced than At&T
Just my 2 cents !
I just moved from TMobile after being with them for 6 years. Although I did not have issues with their network where I live, I did encounter black holes ( no signal ) in a lot of places where I traveled.
In terms of spread, I would say At&T has a wider geographic coverage however TMobile easily is ahead in all other areas like customer service, no call drops etc. Even account management on their website is far more advanced than At&T
Just my 2 cents !
As much as I'd love to see the iPhone on T-Mobile, I'm not holding my breathe. These rumors have been popping up for years. I hope it happens, but we will see.
I thought the same thing actually. Apple buying TMobile would make the most sense. Apple could actually do what it wants with its hardware and its network.
The iPhone doesn't have to be exclusive with just T-Mobile, they can be on both AT&T and T-Mobile; why the AT&T pitchforks?
the reason I said that is because someone suggested that Apple would make new hardware that didn't have the Antenna issue exclusively for tmobile...and I suggested that civil unrest would result as AT&T subscribers called for the head of Apple's CEO
apple needs to get its act together
this constant tease of another carrier is getting tiresome. AT&T sucks, we know this, and it's dragging down Apple's reputation. When I had T Mobile, I never had a problem with calls dropping like flies, and the cost was much less too. Customer service? FREAKIN AWESOME!
I was thinking of getting a new iPhone but I'm so done with AT&T both for DSL and for cell service I may end up saying "***** it" and buy a damned droid phone or whatever, just so I can save money. I like Apple products but I don't drink the Kool Aid.
this constant tease of another carrier is getting tiresome. AT&T sucks, we know this, and it's dragging down Apple's reputation. When I had T Mobile, I never had a problem with calls dropping like flies, and the cost was much less too. Customer service? FREAKIN AWESOME!
I was thinking of getting a new iPhone but I'm so done with AT&T both for DSL and for cell service I may end up saying "***** it" and buy a damned droid phone or whatever, just so I can save money. I like Apple products but I don't drink the Kool Aid.