T-Mobile, Apple rumored to be in 'advanced talks' for Q3 iPhone launch
T-Mobile USA is said to be in discussions with Apple to bring the iPhone to the wireless carrier this fall, ending AT&T's exclusive hold on the handset, according to a new rumor.
Citing a "highly placed source" at T-Mobile, Leander Kahney at Cult of Mac reported Wednesday that the wireless carrier and Apple are in "advanced talks." He placed an 80 percent likelihood that the iPhone will become available on T-Mobile's network this fall.
Apple became interested because of the influence of T-Mobile's parent company, Deutsche Telekom, the source indicated. T-Mobile is the smallest of the four carriers in the U.S., with 33.7 million customers.
As it currently is, the iPhone 4 is not compatible with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network in the U.S., as the carrier uses the unique 1700MHz spectrum. The iPhone is compatible with UMTS/HSDPA 3G connections at the frequencies 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz. In other words, the handset would need a new internal radio to work with T-Mobile's network.
Apple and AT&T originally agreed to an exclusive deal through 2012, though it's believed the terms of that contract likely changed over the years.
The latest rumor comes as most expected the iPhone to first head to Verizon, as both The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported this year that Apple is working on a CDMA iPhone that would be compatible with Verizon's network. Unlike T-Mobile's network, which uses the same technology but operates on a different frequency, Verizon is a completely different technology, which would require a more drastic redesign of the iPhone.
Citing a "highly placed source" at T-Mobile, Leander Kahney at Cult of Mac reported Wednesday that the wireless carrier and Apple are in "advanced talks." He placed an 80 percent likelihood that the iPhone will become available on T-Mobile's network this fall.
Apple became interested because of the influence of T-Mobile's parent company, Deutsche Telekom, the source indicated. T-Mobile is the smallest of the four carriers in the U.S., with 33.7 million customers.
As it currently is, the iPhone 4 is not compatible with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network in the U.S., as the carrier uses the unique 1700MHz spectrum. The iPhone is compatible with UMTS/HSDPA 3G connections at the frequencies 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz. In other words, the handset would need a new internal radio to work with T-Mobile's network.
Apple and AT&T originally agreed to an exclusive deal through 2012, though it's believed the terms of that contract likely changed over the years.
The latest rumor comes as most expected the iPhone to first head to Verizon, as both The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported this year that Apple is working on a CDMA iPhone that would be compatible with Verizon's network. Unlike T-Mobile's network, which uses the same technology but operates on a different frequency, Verizon is a completely different technology, which would require a more drastic redesign of the iPhone.
Comments
As it currently is, the iPhone 4 is not compatible with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network in the U.S., as the carrier uses the unique 1700MHz spectrum. The iPhone is compatible with UMTS/HSDPA 3G connections at the frequencies 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz. In other words, the handset would need a new internal radio to work with T-Mobile's network.
I'd suggest that T-Mobile change their frequencies
For where I live, work and play around, T-Mobile gave me excellent coverage.
I'd bet $100 that they'd have all you can eat data for lower than what AT&T charged back in the day when they had infinite data plans.
They’d need to add band IV for T-Mobile USA. I’d think an announcement of NTT docomo as a carrier for the yet unannounced band VI (800MHz) makes more sense since they planned for it in the iPhone 4.
But....but....but....but adding a new radio is just SOOOOOOOO expensive! NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!
Says who? Don’t confuse the hurdles with making a CDMA iPhone with adding an operating band to the next iPhone.
Why does everyone think LTE is 4g? It isn't. It's 3.9G.
You can call it 3.9 but you can’t say 4? Why not 3.8, why 3.9? You don’t think rounding up 0.1 is okay considering the ‘xG’ nomenclature is in itself BS, which is why T-Mobile is already using ‘4G’ for HPSA.
AT&T's early upgrade promotion makes much more sense if another carrier is getting the iPhone this fall. The loop-hole with that is I can still sell my iPhone 4 on ebay and easily recoup the cost of the phone + AT&T's early termination fee. I'd probably make money after everything's said and done.
wait, 40% of statistics are made up, including this one.
there's a 20% chance that there's an iPhone coming to 80% of the markets in 40% of the carriers.
[how did this guy arrive at 80%?] pulled the number right out of his arse.
Can't wait for the first threads about T-Mobile's horrible iPhone service!!! Woohoo!!!
Apple asked the FCC not to reveal all details of their application. I think they still have something up their sleeve.
Maybe when you bridge the two outside antennas you will get the perfect frequency
Can't wait for the first threads about T-Mobile's horrible iPhone service!!! Woohoo!!!
I'm sure AT&T can't wait either.
-Chris
T-Mobile USA is said to be in discussions with Apple to bring the iPhone to the wireless carrier this fall, ending AT&T's exclusive hold on the handset, according to a new rumor.
Coverage: http://t-mobile-coverage.t-mobile.co...st_global_cvg#
Click HSPA+ & 3G tab
Click See cities with HSPA+ at the end of the Expanding to 185 million people section
Check personal coverage: http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx
I think The iPhone 4 is compatible with 1700.
Apple asked the FCC not to reveal all details of their application. I think they still have something up their sleeve.
Maybe when you bridge the two outside antennas you will get the perfect frequency
Check out this from Engadget. I don’t know of a single phone with 6 or more bands and don’t think Apple would only list 3 bands on their website, hiding two from their website, with a 6th hidden even from the FCC data. Nor do I think they submitted multiple devices to throw us off their trail. Makes no sense.Don’t get me wrong, my share of stock would love for this to happen, I just don’t think it’s likely given all the other evidence we have stating that it doesn’t have the 1700Mhz band.
Unlike T-Mobile's network, which uses the same technology but operates on a different frequency, Verizon is a completely different technology, which would require a more drastic redesign of the iPhone.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Doesn't Verizon already have some phones which include SIM cards and are capable of operating on GSM?
I've been very happy with AT&T coverage and service. It is on the expensive side though. The new $15 data plans help a little bit, but I'd still consider switching to T-mobile if they can offer a much cheaper package.
AT&T's early upgrade promotion makes much more sense if another carrier is getting the iPhone this fall. The loop-hole with that is I can still sell my iPhone 4 on ebay and easily recoup the cost of the phone + AT&T's early termination fee. I'd probably make money after everything's said and done.
That may not be possible for much longer. iPhones have a high resale value as a lot of people want to hack them for T-Mobile. Once they can get a new handset subsidized by T-Mobile, the market for used iphones may dry up. Or, at least the price may come down.
You can call it 3.9 but you can?t say 4? Why not 3.8, why 3.9? You don?t think rounding up 0.1 is okay considering the ?xG? nomenclature is in itself BS, which is why T-Mobile is already using ?4G? for HPSA.
You can call it 4G instead of 3.9G as long as you think 4Mbps is the same as 100Mbs.
I'd suggest that T-Mobile change their frequencies
It's possible this is easier.