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... Why would someone want to unlock and go to T-Mobile? ...

...'cause some are smarter and can do math.... :rolleyes:

And for what it's worth, I travel around a bit and T-Mobile coverage is generally every bit as good as AT&T's was.
 
Their 3G isn't compatible with the iPhone. Different frequency, which isn't available on the iPhone.

Where have you been all year? They're refarming their 3G network to support the 1900mhz frequency and it will be completed by the end of the year. Some cities already have 3G compatibility with T-Mobile on the iPhone. That's why I mentioned "once they finish upgrading their network"
 
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I'm really considering switching from Straight Talk to the T-mobile prepaid $30 deal, but two things are stopping me:

1) No 1900Mhz service map. Right now I have no clue what areas are 3G and which are EDGE, and it seems like nobody else does either. If my office was covered by 3G here in Bethesda it would probably be enough for me to switch since wifi and EDGE would work fine near home. Nobody can tell me what the local coverage is like on the 1900 Mhz band, though.
2) No micro SIM cards for prepaid. Yes, I know you can trim the normal cards (and I have a cutter somewhere). It just strikes me that they aren't really serious about BYOD if they can't get this detail right. I may stop in at one of their retail stores next time I see one and ask if they can sell one, but they don't offer them online.


Does this map help? :)
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Subsidized iPhone!

T-Mobile is desperate for iPhone users. Well they need to step-up to bring iPhone users to their network a subsidized iPhone. How? They can offer a partial refund or offer a rebate if you lock-in and sign a contract to them for 2 years. This way they can keep their loyal customers or bring back some of their lost customers. Lets put it this way, we all know that the reason we get the $199 iPhone is because AT&T & Verizon paid the rest of the amount to Apple. So why not T- Mobile will give you a refund when you are willing to stay with them for 2 years, or maybe give you a couple of months no bills to pay. Because if I pay for a full price of the iPhone I probably just get the VM prepaid. For $30 you get 300 mins. unlimited text & data that still half the price what T-Mobile offers with a crippled 3G.
 
T-Mobile is desperate for iPhone users. Well they need to step-up to bring iPhone users to their network a subsidized iPhone. How? They can offer a partial refund or offer a rebate if you lock-in and sign a contract to them for 2 years. This way they can keep their loyal customers or bring back some of their lost customers. Lets put it this way, we all know that the reason we get the $199 iPhone is because AT&T & Verizon paid the rest of the amount to Apple. So why not T- Mobile will give you a refund when you are willing to stay with them for 2 years, or maybe give you a couple of months no bills to pay. Because if I pay for a full price of the iPhone I probably just get the VM prepaid. For $30 you get 300 mins. unlimited text & data that still half the price what T-Mobile offers with a crippled 3G.

What's with all the dimwits out there who think they are getting a "deal" when they are being locked into two year contracts?

With so many dim bulbs around, no wonder the major carriers in the US don't have to compete on service and service price, offering phone "deals" and multi-year lock ups to the stupid instead. Learn to add double digits, for the love of Jobs!
 
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Can't believe the prices for you US guys...

I am paying £10 a month for unlimited data in the UK, unlimited texts and 250 minutes.

Sad thing for us though, is no 4G and 3G only in the major cities.

I'm so sick of these comments. I mean, you basically admitted the service you have is crap. And geez, how much territory does it cover? We're covered from Pacidic to Atlantic here. Have the place barely hasn't any people on it but damned if there isn't 3G at least in those areas.

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T-Mobile is desperate for iPhone users. Well they need to step-up to bring iPhone users to their network a subsidized iPhone. How? They can offer a partial refund or offer a rebate if you lock-in and sign a contract to them for 2 years. This way they can keep their loyal customers or bring back some of their lost customers. Lets put it this way, we all know that the reason we get the $199 iPhone is because AT&T & Verizon paid the rest of the amount to Apple. So why not T- Mobile will give you a refund when you are willing to stay with them for 2 years, or maybe give you a couple of months no bills to pay. Because if I pay for a full price of the iPhone I probably just get the VM prepaid. For $30 you get 300 mins. unlimited text & data that still half the price what T-Mobile offers with a crippled 3G.

Why don't you jus buy the phone outright and save the $20-$30 a month instead. Plus you're not locked into a contract. Contracts just slow down competition. Such a high percentage of the customers are locked in that the companies don't have to worry about keeping you except every couple years.

Buy the phone. You can switch carriers, sell it, do whatever you want. You're free.

Oh, right. America would rather choose security over freedom. Never mind.
 
I'm so sick of these comments. I mean, you basically admitted the service you have is crap. And geez, how much territory does it cover? We're covered from Pacidic to Atlantic here. Have the place barely hasn't any people on it but damned if there isn't 3G at least in those areas.

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Why don't you jus buy the phone outright and save the $20-$30 a month instead. Plus you're not locked into a contract. Contracts just slow down competition. Such a high percentage of the customers are locked in that the companies don't have to worry about keeping you except every couple years.

Buy the phone. You can switch carriers, sell it, do whatever you want. You're free.

Oh, right. America would rather choose security over freedom. Never mind.

Well perhaps we (in the US) do have large geographical coverage but that doesn't affect most people that don't move/travel. I just finished a 'round the country road trip and there was some really spotty areas on AT&T. I did notice that my lady-friends 4S sucked down battery about 30% faster searching for 4G signals (vs my 4). This makes me warty of T-Mo.
I travel. I live in Panama part of the year. Moving to Sweden in 6 months. I LOVE the new IMEI unlock options and only hope for prepaid services like here in Pamama. 15$ for 1 GB/month. No contract. Puuurrrrfect. If only in the US.
 
Ok I'm sold!!! But how long is there rate gonna last???? It's cheap but I foresee them raising their fee :(

Their rates arent on sale. Their rates are cheaper all the time.

I switched to the value plan when i got two GS3's in July and saved $50 a month from my regular plan. Im paying $128 a month for 4 cell phones, two with data right now and a home line.

If i want to add data to the other two cell phones it is only $10 for each phone but my Wife just doesnt care to have it for some reason.

Thats pretty damn cheap for 5 lines.

If i had an iPhone , id sure take it T-Mobile now that they have faster data speeds. Im in Vegas and here the faster network is working for the iPhone and any other AT&T phones you might bring over ...like the HTC One X for example.

Its just cheaper on T-Mobile.
 
I bought an unlocked iPhone 4S in March. Got the T-mobile 1500 min/txt msg plan for $30 a month. Only includes 30 MB of data, but it's actually enough for me as long as I don't check my e-mail often. I switched over from an iPhone 3GS with AT&T for which I was paying over $100 for 450 min, 1500 txts, and unlimited data. Took me awhile to realize that I wasn't using that much data away from a WiFi network. So I've been saving $70 per month. By December, it will have paid for my entire iPhone. Plus, I can use it anywhere I go traveling outside the U.S. without jailbreaking it. Plus, I can probably sell it for at least $300-400 when the new phone comes and only pay a couple hundred more to upgrade.

I do somewhat miss having more data just to use Siri and Yelp more. One question: if the new iPhone has 4G/LTE, will T-mobile's current 4G network be compatible?
 
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Guys, a little help here. I'm new in the US and I'm living in the region of Champaign-Urbana IL. According to T-Mobile chat support this area is covered with the HSPA+ ("4G") signal, and there are lots of stores selling 4G phones and plans, but I can't get my iPhone 4 to connect to it.

Is it possible that this 4G is running on a frequency other than 1900 MHz? Or are all the 4G networks on 1900 MHz?
 
Chancer, T-Mobile doesn't do any LTE at all right now, the "4G" they speak of is HSPA+, which is pretty darn fast (some phones support it up to 40mbps, but I've never seen a T-Mobile connection beyond 15mbps - the pings are usually pretty decent though!)

At home I usually get around 7mbit/sec and a 65ms ping.

You're right on the money though - the 'refarming' is where they replace EDGE towers with HSPA+ ones that run on the new band (which is compatible with the iPhone). Until that happens in your area, you're stuck with EDGE.
 
Yes, Joe, I know it's a fake 4G (which made me quite disappointed when I arrived in the US). The thing is: HSPA+ is already working here (that's what they say and sell), but when I put the SIM on my iPhone, it did not connect on the 3G network, but on EDGE.
That's why I'm asking if, by any chance, they're using HSPA+ on 1700 MHz or not.
 
I bought an unlocked iPhone 4S in March. Got the T-mobile 1500 min/txt msg plan for $30 a month. Only includes 30 MB of data, but it's actually enough for me as long as I don't check my e-mail often. I switched over from an iPhone 3GS with AT&T for which I was paying over $100 for 450 min, 1500 txts, and unlimited data. Took me awhile to realize that I wasn't using that much data away from a WiFi network. So I've been saving $70 per month. By December, it will have paid for my entire iPhone. Plus, I can use it anywhere I go traveling outside the U.S. without jailbreaking it. Plus, I can probably sell it for at least $300-400 when the new phone comes and only pay a couple hundred more to upgrade.

I do miss having more data a little bit however because I wish I could use Siri more on the go. One question: if the new iPhone has 4G/LTE, will T-mobile's current 4G network be compatible?

If you need the data, why not just go with the 100 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited 4G for the same $30 a month. I'm rocking this right now with my Galaxy Nexus and couldn't be happier. For more minutes, I use Groove IP (iPhone users can grab Talkatone to the same effect I think), and I don't have to give out my actual number to people that I may end up blacklisting later on (like store promotional crap). Soon, you'll be able to jump on the T-Mobile iPhone compatible "4G" network and enjoy Siri and navigation while out and about around town. :D

From what I've been reading, every LTE AT&T device can fall back to their HSPA+ "4G" network, I don't see why the next iPhone would be any different.

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Guys, a little help here. I'm new in the US and I'm living in the region of Champaign-Urbana IL. According to T-Mobile chat support this area is covered with the HSPA+ ("4G") signal, and there are lots of stores selling 4G phones and plans, but I can't get my iPhone 4 to connect to it.

Is it possible that this 4G is running on a frequency other than 1900 MHz? Or are all the 4G networks on 1900 MHz?

They are upgrading towers as we speak. The towers in your area aren't currently compatible yet. If you head to Chicago, you can test the 4G there as the equipment has already been updated. It's been reported that the upgrade to the 1700MHz band nationwide will be finished late this year/early next year.
 
They are upgrading towers as we speak. The towers in your area aren't currently compatible yet. If you head to Chicago, you can test the 4G there as the equipment has already been updated. It's been reported that the upgrade to the 1700MHz band nationwide will be finished late this year/early next year.

Thanks for clearing it up. I'll probably visit Chicago soon, I'll try to remember to take my SIM and test it.
 
So the airportal.de map shows a location about fifteen miles away supporting 3G over the 1900MHz band. Not sure if that would apply here though. My current One S averages about 15MBPS though so I'm definitely seeing the HSPA+ speeds.
 
I was really hoping TMobile would have finished their spectrum upgrades and everything by the time the iPhone launched. It would have been great to see them carry the iPhone. Apple needs to be on all the carriers. Apple should just let TMobile carry it, even if some customers are stuck on 2G. It's a hell of a lot better than this fiasco TMobile is pulling.

I have a couple friends on TMobile who are needing new phones, I told them to wait until the iPhone launched because it might be on TMobile. Well, since it doesn't seem like it will be, they're just gonna have to get an Android or WP7 phone instead. They don't want to, but they need new phones. And once they get invested into a platform, it's unlikely they will switch later on.
 
If you need the data, why not just go with the 100 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited 4G for the same $30 a month. I'm rocking this right now with my Galaxy Nexus and couldn't be happier. For more minutes, I use Groove IP (iPhone users can grab Talkatone to the same effect I think), and I don't have to give out my actual number to people that I may end up blacklisting later on (like store promotional crap). Soon, you'll be able to jump on the T-Mobile iPhone compatible "4G" network and enjoy Siri and navigation while out and about around town. :D

From what I've been reading, every LTE AT&T device can fall back to their HSPA+ "4G" network, I don't see why the next iPhone would be any different.
I didn't know this plan existed until you mentioned it. But then I went to my account and the option doesn't exist for me. Maybe it's only an option for people who buy a T-mobile phone?
 
I have a couple friends on TMobile who are needing new phones, I told them to wait until the iPhone launched because it might be on TMobile. Well, since it doesn't seem like it will be, they're just gonna have to get an Android or WP7 phone instead. They don't want to, but they need new phones. And once they get invested into a platform, it's unlikely they will switch later on.

Suggest the Galaxy Nexus. It's the best Android phone out there, mainly because it doesn't have a 3rd party launcher or carrier trashware pre-installed. Plus they'll never have to wait for a manufacturer to release an update, as Android updates are pushed from Google directly (4.1 is the bees knees). WP7 is on its way out the door now, and WP8 doesn't look to be adding any ground breaking new features.

Of course, someone will come by and say "But Galaxy SIII", and honestly, a quadcore in a cell phone makes no sense unless all you are doing is running benchmarks all the time, even then you still have to deal that ***** interface known as Touchwiz and, of course, carrier trashware. Google Now > S Voice, Stock UI and no bloatware/trashware > *****, unlocked at a decent cost (along with worldwide GSM 3G/"4G" support) > waiting for your rebate to be approved (along with being locked to T-Mobile only and signing a two year agreement). I like my phones clean with no strings attached, and the Nexus line is the cleanest you can get with an Android phone, with no strings attached.

/2¢

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I didn't know this plan existed until you mentioned it. But then I went to my account and the option doesn't exist for me. Maybe it's only an option for people who buy a T-mobile phone?

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

It's the best deal I've found so far. You should be able to call customer service and request to switch to the "other" $30 monthly plan, or just order a new SIM kit and select the other plan.
 
Chancer, T-Mobile doesn't do any LTE at all right now, the "4G" they speak of is HSPA+, which is pretty darn fast (some phones support it up to 40mbps, but I've never seen a T-Mobile connection beyond 15mbps - the pings are usually pretty decent though!)

At home I usually get around 7mbit/sec and a 65ms ping.

You're right on the money though - the 'refarming' is where they replace EDGE towers with HSPA+ ones that run on the new band (which is compatible with the iPhone). Until that happens in your area, you're stuck with EDGE.

I've used a Galaxy SIII that got 21 Mbps on tmo network, but now that I see the map that was provided, I see why. The speeds actually got as high as 26 Mbps. HSPA+ is blazing in my woods!

I didn't know this plan existed until you mentioned it. But then I went to my account and the option doesn't exist for me. Maybe it's only an option for people who buy a T-mobile phone?

That plan is a prepaid one. Not postpaid. So that's why you don't see it.

I was really hoping TMobile would have finished their spectrum upgrades and everything by the time the iPhone launched. It would have been great to see them carry the iPhone. Apple needs to be on all the carriers. Apple should just let TMobile carry it, even if some customers are stuck on 2G. It's a hell of a lot better than this fiasco TMobile is pulling.

I have a couple friends on TMobile who are needing new phones, I told them to wait until the iPhone launched because it might be on TMobile. Well, since it doesn't seem like it will be, they're just gonna have to get an Android or WP7 phone instead. They don't want to, but they need new phones. And once they get invested into a platform, it's unlikely they will switch later on.

They could just buy used unlocked iphones from sale sites and then switch over to Tmo, easy. Way cheaper, too.

Interesting that T-Mobile would be so eager to make bringing an iPhone to their network so easy, after they said they would try to "sell against the iPhone". Oh, and this ad.

VZW did the EXACT same thing with their ads, if you recall. I specifically remember the guys watching football and he couldn't see the game with the VZW 'coverage map' but could easily through AT$T map. There were more commercials from VZW that hammered home the same nail. VZW even had anti-iPhone ads. Now look at them swimming about in money because of the cdma iphone.

This strategy *is* selling against the iPhone.

It's a clever move, given the relatively small scope of upgrade in this hardware update. Will be interesting to see if it catches on.

It is really clever, if you think about it. I don't see dents being made unless we see tv ads marketed to U.S. consumers. I see other Tmo ads that really do nothing for me, so Tmo better get on the ball and have some noteworthy commercials in the mix touting off their plans. I think people might have moved in droves and that strategy pay off, but only if the ads would have been shown by now. Too many people are waiting for the iphone5 and will upgrade without even knowing about Tmo's cheaper plans. Sad. Missed opportunity for a good company, reliable network, and cheaper plans, but it's just people don't know about them.
 
I didn't know this plan existed until you mentioned it. But then I went to my account and the option doesn't exist for me. Maybe it's only an option for people who buy a T-mobile phone?

It's for new activations only, and is only available online or through Walmart stores. Also you'd have to order an activation kit online, since the only way to activate through Walmart is with one of the phones they sell there (At least my local store never has and never will sell activation kits by themselves), and you'd have to get a new number. They won't port your old number over from your current account.
 
Waiting for T-M support

I have two phones currently:

Unlocked 4s with AT&T 250 min plus old unlimited data plan, with company subsidy, still over $50/month;

Rooted Galaxy Note with T-M $30 monthly 4G (100 min unlimited text and data with 5GB on 4G)

In CT, big city areas, T-M smokes AT&T with constant nearly 10mb download. However, in rural area, T-M signal is not as good as AT&T. 4s is still only getting EDGE now on T-M.

So it's a tough call. If T-M start support 4s with LTE, I may switch sim cards between the phones because I still prefer using 4s.

I would say T-M $30 monthly 4G is the best deal in US. With Voice over IP (Google voice, etc), who needs real air time? The trick is, you have to buy one new sim card from T-M and make a new activation (less than $3 if you look online) to select the plan. After that, you are free to transfer your old number to the new card if you like.
 
Wow this is a lot better than my 1.5mb/s... FML

Respect to T-Mobile as they're doing everything possible to align with AT&T's frequencies, and stay competitive. They've had such a limited amount of spectrum to work with, but they've deployed ALL of their licences (unlike AT&T that's squatting on tons of spectrum), and their HSPA+ outperforms AT&T's here in NYC by order of magnitude! Also, next year their LTE will align with AT&T's band 4 AWS, so the iPhone will be LTE compatible with T-Mobile out of the box.

And btw, T-Mobile HSPA+ on PCS is actually on in parts of NYC:

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