Fortune reports on a new research note from Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig claiming that T-Mobile USA may be preparing to announce at its analysts day next week that it will begin offering the iPhone. The claim does not, however, appear to be based on any specific information, as Craig simply notes that "speculation is heightening" about such a move.
Now Merrill Lynch's Scott Craig is out with a note reporting that "speculation is heightening" that Deutsche Telecom (DT) will announce a deal to bring the iPhone to its U.S. subsidiary at next week's analysts day (12/6-7).
It makes sense. The carrier recently beefed up its iPhone-compatible high-speed HSPA+ network in 10 metropolitan areas, allowing some of the 1.5 million T-Mobile customers already using unlocked iPhones to enjoy something better than GSM download speeds.
As T-Mobile has worked to refarm its spectrum to move its fastest data services over to iPhone-compatible frequencies, the carrier has started a "Bring Your Own iPhone" program to help users move their unlocked iPhones to the carrier.
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T-Mobile previously stated that the spectrum refarming would make the carrier ready for the iPhone by the end of 2012, and has acknowledged on a number of occasions that its lack of the iPhone has cost it customers and revenue.
But while it seems clear that T-Mobile would like to carry the iPhone and has been reconfiguring its network to be able to support it, there has been essentially no direct evidence or sources claiming that the device will be coming to the fourth-largest carrier in the United States.
Top Rated Comments
I've been using an old iPhone on T-Mobile, and it's working extremely well for me. I only pay $30/month for an unlimited data plan. I hardly ever make voice calls, so why should I pay 3x that just to use a smartphone? I'm currently seeing 3G about half the time, and the reallocation of spectrum is progressing rapidly in my area (western Washington state) - but even EDGE works adequately for most of what I want to do.
You're not gonna stream video on EDGE, but I've never had a desire to watch video on a tiny screen. I can, however, listen to a baseball broadcast just fine.
$30 for 100 minutes, unlimited text and 5GB of 4G data.
T-mobile HSPA+ is faster than ATT LTE in many cases.
$30 per month vs. $100+ per month? easy decision.
The issue for T-Mobile is lack of something like 700-800Mhz, and smaller network coverage.
I am using iPhone 4S on T-Mobile. I just hope their refarming is done quicker. Right now I can get their HSPA+ on my iPhone at only limited locations. When I get it, usually 5-7Mbps. iPhone 4S only support max 14Mbps.
T-Mobile's plan is really much cheaper than AT&T or Verizon.
Make fun all you want - that rate plan is hard to beat. I have also found customer service to be excellent.
T-Mobile did buy MetroPCS for a reason....LTE