T-Mobile carrier update brings LTE, Visual Voicemail for unlocked iPhone 5
A software update released on Friday will give iPhone 5 users on T-Mobile access to the carrier's LTE network, in addition to adding a number of other features like Visual Voicemail
T-Mobile on Friday updated its support forums (via TmoNews) to detail the new features the carrier update will bring. All eligible iPhones using a T-Mobile SIM card will now have access to Visual Voicemail, the Commercial Mobile Alert System, and LTE connectivity on T-Mobile's AWS spectrum for iPhone 5 users.
The update also brings HD Voice to T-Mobile iPhone 5 users, and it contains device/network optimizations that will improve battery life.
The update is restricted to iPhones running iOS 6.1.x or higher. Rumors of the update leaked earlier this week, and it has rolled out as predicted.
T-Mobile's network currently hosts roughly two million iPhone customers using unlocked devices, adding about 100,000 more per month. The carrier will begin officially carrying Apple's smartphone on April 12, with a 16GB iPhone 5 available for $99. Pre-orders for the device began on Friday.
T-Mobile on Friday updated its support forums (via TmoNews) to detail the new features the carrier update will bring. All eligible iPhones using a T-Mobile SIM card will now have access to Visual Voicemail, the Commercial Mobile Alert System, and LTE connectivity on T-Mobile's AWS spectrum for iPhone 5 users.
The update also brings HD Voice to T-Mobile iPhone 5 users, and it contains device/network optimizations that will improve battery life.
The update is restricted to iPhones running iOS 6.1.x or higher. Rumors of the update leaked earlier this week, and it has rolled out as predicted.
T-Mobile's network currently hosts roughly two million iPhone customers using unlocked devices, adding about 100,000 more per month. The carrier will begin officially carrying Apple's smartphone on April 12, with a 16GB iPhone 5 available for $99. Pre-orders for the device began on Friday.
Comments
I am getting news from some french press agencies that Apple will hold an event on april 18th? Nothing on apple insider?
Update : It looks like this news is based on rumors. Still strange its being relay by normally more serious press.
I'm considering picking up one of those unlocked iPhone 5's.
When I travel to some foreign country, it would be nice just to pop a local sim into the phone and use it, screw roaming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple ][
I'm considering picking up one of those unlocked iPhone 5's.
When I travel to some foreign country, it would be nice just to pop a local sim into the phone and use it, screw roaming.
Indeed. And you can get very nice plans with an unlock phone. All my future phones will be unlock from now on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by herbapou
I getting news from some french press agencies that Apple will hold an event on april 18th? Nothing on apple insider?
That's just a few days before earnings, but I suppose that anything is possible.
I haven't seen any news of any Apple event on any english speaking sites today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple ][
That's just a few days before earnings, but I suppose that anything is possible.
I haven't seen any news of any Apple event on any english speaking sites today.
All i can find is some rumors about iRadio on CNBC today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by herbapou
All i can find is some rumors about iRadio on CNBC today.
The only thing that I found is this, but I doubt this is what they meant, since it's not officially an Apple run event.
CocoaConf | iOS/OS X Developer Conference
It starts on April 18th.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple ][
I'm considering picking up one of those unlocked iPhone 5's.
When I travel to some foreign country, it would be nice just to pop a local sim into the phone and use it, screw roaming.
Are those local sims available in the Micro size which the iPhone 5 uses?
Quote:
Originally Posted by herbapou
I am getting news from some french press agencies that Apple will hold an event on april 18th? Nothing on apple insider?
Update : It looks like this news is based on rumors. Still strange its being relay by normally more serious press.
Its way out of the norm for an official event to be on a Thursday
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haggar
Are those local sims available in the Micro size which the iPhone 5 uses?
They do sell the iPhone 5 in the countries that I was thinking about, so I'm fairly certain that I would be able to get the micro sim which would fit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haggar
Are those local sims available in the Micro size which the iPhone 5 uses?
You just cut it. Micro and nano sims are just smaller version of the regular size sim.
It depends on where you travel. If the local carriers sell an iPhone 5 you'll likely be fine, but if not you can always slim down other SIMs to fit the nano-SIM if you are really in need.
[VIDEO]
Quote:
Originally Posted by herbapou
I am getting news from some french press agencies that Apple will hold an event on april 18th? Nothing on apple insider?
Update : It looks like this news is based on rumors. Still strange its being relay by normally more serious press.
Links and a translation, if possible? Thanks.
I have had a micro t-mobile sim in my iPad for 5 months now with a pre-paid Walmart plan.
All I did was activated the Walmart cheap phone, then went to a t-mobile store, gave them the t-mobile number and they swapped the sim to a micro at no cost.
Originally Posted by Gordon Werner
How will this "update" work? is it a new version of iOS? or is it a T-Mobile App update?
Neither. Here's some info about it.
Carrier settings include updates to… …default apps such as Stocks, Maps, and Weather.
WHOA WAIT WHAT?!
Talk about your info… I had no idea this was the case.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apple ][
I'm considering picking up one of those unlocked iPhone 5's.
When I travel to some foreign country, it would be nice just to pop a local sim into the phone and use it, screw roaming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haggar
Are those local sims available in the Micro size which the iPhone 5 uses?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Me
You just cut it. Micro and nano sims are just smaller version of the regular size sim.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottjd
Don't cut it, check with t-mobile first.
The local sim would be purchased in the country. If it was available as a micro-sim, no need to cut it.
If it's not available as a micro-sim, it would need to be cut.
I wonder if this LTE & Visual Voicemail stuff will be available for pre-paid plans too.
Cheers
Just wanted to point out to folks who seem confused:
iPhone 4/4S uses a micro SIM.
iPhone 5 uses a Nano SIM.
Would visual voicemail work for unlocked iPhone 4?