A reader reports that while walking by San Francisco’s Moscone West with his unlocked iPhone 4 on T-Mobile’s network today, he noticed something strange and perhaps very exciting for those million or more iPhone users on T-Mobile’s US network.
His iPhone popped over to “3G” for just one block (screenshot, right). It went back to “EDGE” as he left the WWDC area. Our reader walked across Moscone again, saw 3G for one block, and then EDGE appeared when he got a few hundred feet away.
He has been near Moscone before and never noticed 3G.
It would appear that T-Mobile might be beefing up its network with a 1900MHz MicroCell for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, as most wireless carriers SHOULD.
To be clear, we are not implying that T-Mobile will be part of the WWDC announcements.
But, T-Mobile appears to be using its soon-to-be rolled out 1900MHz network, so maybe it is readying a demonstration of its ability to carry the iPhone on 3G (or better —”4G”, as fast as AT&T 21MB HSPA+ speeds).
T-Mobile’s CTO in March 2011 said:
A nice side benefit of the refarming effort is that our 4G network will be compatible with a broader range of devices, including the iPhone. The other important benefit of our network modernization effort is the coverage improvements it will deliver, especially when it comes to in-home coverage. As we refarm our 1900 spectrum, we will continue to fully support our customers with 2G devices.
Even though it often bashes the iPhone in ads, or more specifically the iPhone’s network speed, T-Mobile was happy to talk about Apple’s recent decision to unlock iPhones that are out of contract:
Today we have more than one million unlocked iPhones running on our network. T-Mobile currently offers microSIMs for customers who already have a GSM phone they want to use on the T-Mobile network, including an iPhone. In order to set up an unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile’s network, customers simply need to purchase a microSIM card and select a T-Mobile Value plan that suits their needs.
T-Mobile’s Value plans enable customers who bring their own smartphone, such as the iPhone, to save money. For example, T-Mobile’s Value family plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited data with 2 GB of high-speed data is just $49.99 per line for two lines.
In addition, we will continue to deliver more value to customers as we expand and modernize our 4G network. Beginning this year, we will introduce HSPA+ service in our 1900 MHz PCS spectrum. When we do, our 4G network will be compatible with a broader range of devices, including the iPhone.
Virgin announced a $30 prepaid plan today. T-Mobile also offers an unlimited data prepaid plan for $30 a month (which would be faster than Virgin’s if T-Mobile’s “4G” 1900MHz spectrum could apply).
I reached out to T-Mobile for comment, and I will report back if anything is heard. Thanks Godfrey!
Related articles
- T-Mobile to rollout iPhone-compatible 4G HSPA+ 1900 MHz network in ‘large number of markets’ by end of 2012 (9to5mac.com)
- T-Mobile makes a statement on AT&T’s unlocking: ‘Bring ‘em on and save a lot of money!’ (9to5mac.com)
- T-Mobile TV ad compares iPhone 4S on AT&T to its 4G network (9to5mac.com)
- T-Mobile CTO again: ‘Our 4G network will be compatible with the iPhone’ (9to5mac.com)
- Virgin to carry iPhone with $30/month unlimited data prepaid plan beginning June 29 (9to5mac.com)
4G in the UK: O2 and Vodafone team up for a speedy LTE roll-out - Electric Pig
Waiting for 4G in the UK? Yeah, us too. It’s a bit of a shame that the US gets blazing fast mobile web and we’re chugging along at 3G. Still, it is coming, and hopefully soon. To that end, O2 and Vodafone have just put pen to paper to sign a deal that’ll allow both of them to share mobile sites. The 4G mobiles cometh…
Vodafone and O2’s deal initially means that the two will be sharing mobile sites across its 2G and 3G services. And that means? Not an awful lot at this stage. Whereas Orange and T-Mobile’s Everything Everywhere is a more cosy, pally umbrella company deal, O2 and Vodafone will still remain rivals.
It does mean, however, that the two will be able to bring coverage to 98% of the UK population by 2015. And that any mobile blackspots you currently experience may benefit from a boost if you’re a customer.
4G LTE: Will it drive up tariffs?
The total available mobile sites that both networks have will be 18,500. It means that by the time Ofcom sorts itself out and finalises the auctioning off of 4G bands in the UK, O2 and Vodafone will be able to roll their 4G offerings out quicker and more smoothly.
Auctioning off bands? If this is all gibberish to you, you need to read this: 4G in the UK explained. Go on; you’ll seem well smart next time 4G comes up in conversion down the pub.
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