T-mo vent.

[Mr Hill]

Apple doesn't have to make the iPhone compatible with T-Mobile. T-Mobile is making their network compatible with the iPhone and their current 1700 mhz AWS band that they use for 4G HSPA+ will be refarmed to the 1900mhz band that is compatible with the iPhone (and all other AT&T and International GSM phones) by the end of this year.

Apple probably won't give them the iPhone at launch next month since their network isn't compatible yet but an early 2013 launch is entirely possible. Don't forget that outside the US there is no LTE yet either and Sprint only has a few LTE cities right now but yet they will still receive the next iPhone in September.

Once the refarm is done around Nov/Dec. then wherever people currently have 3G/4G they will get it with their iPhone.

I'll stay on T-Mobile with an unlocked iPhone rather than pay $100+ per month with AT&T and Verizon. Only a few more months of patience to save damn near $1000 over the course of 24 months.

 

[Dwalls90]

If it happens it will only happen if Tmobile pays them to do it.
Apple wont go out of their way to make it compatible with Tmobile unless they sign a multi year and multi million dollar deal.
Apple made it compatible for Sprint but you saw that Sprint had to pay an arm and a leg for that.

That is true. But Sprint didn't really pay a "fee", they just pre-purchased a lot of iPhones. That way Apple get's their cash up front, aside from if Sprint stays afloat or sinks.

Surely if T-mobile has the same confidence in their network, they could do the same. But they clearly don't have that level of confidence, as they were desperate to be picked up by AT&T.

 

[dontwalkhand]

What I find sad is that CRICKET has iPhones, and all of their carrier stores are in high crime and low income areas. Meanwhile T-Mobile has stores just about wherever you see a Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T store!

They are switching up their bands to 1900, and I wouldn't care if they sell it subsidized and have you use it on EDGE until 3G is live, as long as they sell it.

Now I plan on buying it outright anyway unlocked (or the AT&T version, depending on whats available on Launch Day), but having it subsidized just might save this carrier from going under!

 

[RotaryP7]

Yea, there is no iPhone 5 for TMO this year. It's coming out in 2013. They want the iPhone. They already know how many customers they lost last fall when the 4S was released. That is why they are redoing their networks to work with the iPhone. So anyone with an unlocked iPhone on TMO should be able to get "3G" by the end of this year. Some cities are already experiencing that.

We'll see what happens.

 

[slabwax]

My gut tells me at best they will get a 4 or 4s after the first of the year maybe second quarter. And at best 5 or 5s(what ever the 5 replacement is) if T-mo can get the lte on line within a year from now. But T-mo is still trying to find a buyer and if that happens before they get the iphone all bets are off. Fo at least one more cycle.

 

[Applejuiced]

That is true. But Sprint didn't really pay a "fee", they just pre-purchased a lot of iPhones. That way Apple get's their cash up front, aside from if Sprint stays afloat or sinks.

Surely if T-mobile has the same confidence in their network, they could do the same. But they clearly don't have that level of confidence, as they were desperate to be picked up by AT&T.

Actually the contract that Sprint signed with Apple included $15.5 Billion in iphone sales over the next 4 years.
I dont know if Tmobile will be able to pull a move like cause they keep bleeding customers every quorter but I think if they dont soon they will be doomed.
Their network is not bad and they got decent coverage, I'd like to see them eventually get it. I had lots of family members and friends that have been Tmobile customers for many years switch to other carriers just for the iphone. So it is something they should consider to stay competitive.

 

[Want300]

Yea, there is no iPhone 5 for TMO this year. It's coming out in 2013. They want the iPhone. They already know how many customers they lost last fall when the 4S was released. That is why they are redoing their networks to work with the iPhone. So anyone with an unlocked iPhone on TMO should be able to get "3G" by the end of this year. Some cities are already experiencing that.

We'll see what happens.

A early 2013 launch for the iPhone on T-Mobile would be just like when the iPhone 4 launched for Verizon... So that is possible if they stick to updating their network. And make a huge promise like Sprint did.

 

[vikingjunior]

The refarming is NOT just for the iphone but for most GSM phones. T mobile is still turning a profit without a iphone. With Android getting more polished Apple will look to deal with T Mobile.