T-Mobile USA customers shouldn't expect Apple's iPhone for at least 1 year
Following the announcement on Sunday that AT&T plans to buy T-Mobile to create the largest wireless provider in the U.S., a list of frequently asked questions were posted on the official T-Mobile website. In that list, one question is specifically devoted to the iPhone, which is currently only available to AT&T and Verizon customers.
"T-Mobile USA remains an independent company," the FAQ reads. "The acquisition is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months. We do not offer the iPhone. We offer cutting edge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4G and coming soon our new Sidekick 4G."
T-Mobile cannot yet offer the iPhone because its wireless network is not compatible with the 3G radio found in the GSM version of Apple's best-selling smartphone. And that won't change until AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile is approved by federal regulators — a milestone that is by no means guaranteed.
The merging of customer bases from AT&T and T-Mobile would create a total of about 130 million users, making AT&T the largest carrier in the U.S. AT&T has touted that the acquisition of T-Mobile will help to speed up its own existing nationwide network.
Though they operate on different radio frequencies, the networks of AT&T and T-Mobile have a common technology base with 3G UMTS. That will make it easier for AT&T to merge the two networks and ensure that handsets from both companies will be compatible on the same network.
T-Mobile's FAQ also notes that the acquisition will offer "significant benefits" for customers, improving network quality and boosting speeds.
"The merger will ensure the deployment of a robust 4G LTE network to 95% of the U.S. population, something neither company would achieve on its own," it reads. "Also, because of our compatible networks and spectrum, the customers of T-Mobile USA and AT&T will experience improved voice and data service almost immediately after the networks are integrated."
Customers were also advised that they should not wait to sign up with T-Mobile or upgrade their handset, as the company remains independent until the deal is approved. The company will also honor all contracted plans that are entered into before the change of ownership.
AT&T announced on Sunday its plans to acquire T-Mobile for $39 billion. The cash and stock deal, if approved, would give Deutsche Telekom, the owner of T-Mobile USA, an 8 percent stake in AT&T.
48 Comments
Or... they could expect it now. Or at any time over the last three and a half years.
Yes, "legitimately". It works now. You don't even need a data plan. It's the only respite in an idiotic world.
T-Mobile cannot yet offer the iPhone because its wireless network is not compatible with the 3G radio found in the GSM version of Apple's best-selling smartphone. And that won't change until AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile is approved by federal regulators -- a milestone that is by no means guaranteed.
Or Apple could include the AWS band in a future iPhone. Why is this option being completely ignored without an explanation as to why it?s not possible?
All I am going to say is expect the unexpected. I have a feeling this will happen quickly. Some back channel persuation will be done and instead of a year the approval will come in months and "tmobile" will have iphone 5. Thats my feeling.
U.S. customers of T-Mobile likely will not have access to Apple's iPhone for at least one year, assuming a proposed acquisition from AT&T is granted federal approval.
Following the announcement on Sunday that AT&T plans to buy T-Mobile to create the largest wireless provider in the U.S., a list of frequently asked questions were posted on the official T-Mobile website. In that list, one question is specifically devoted to the iPhone, which is currently only available to AT&T and Verizon customers.
"T-Mobile USA remains an independent company," the FAQ reads. "The acquisition is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months. We do not offer the iPhone. We offer cutting edge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4G and coming soon our new Sidekick 4G."
T-Mobile cannot yet offer the iPhone because its wireless network is not compatible with the 3G radio found in the GSM version of Apple's best-selling smartphone. And that won't change until AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile is approved by federal regulators -- a milestone that is by no means guaranteed.
The merging of customer bases from AT&T and T-Mobile would create a total of about 130 million users, making AT&T the largest carrier in the U.S. AT&T has touted that the acquisition of T-Mobile will help to speed up its own existing nationwide network.
Though they operate on different radio frequencies, the networks of AT&T and T-Mobile have a common technology base with 3G UMTS. That will make it easier for AT&T to merge the two networks and ensure that handsets from both companies will be compatible on the same network.
T-Mobile's FAQ also notes that the acquisition will offer "significant benefits" for customers, improving network quality and boosting speeds.
"The merger will ensure the deployment of a robust 4G LTE network to 95% of the U.S. population, something neither company would achieve on its own," it reads. "Also, because of our compatible networks and spectrum, the customers of T-Mobile USA and AT&T will experience improved voice and data service almost immediately after the networks are integrated."
Customers were also advised that they should not wait to sign up with T-Mobile or upgrade their handset, as the company remains independent until the deal is approved. The company will also honor all contracted plans that are entered into before the change of ownership.
AT&T announced on Sunday its plans to acquire T-Mobile for $39 billion. The cash and stock deal, if approved, would give Deutsche Telekom, the owner of T-Mobile USA, an 8 percent stake in AT&T.
All I am going to say is expect the unexpected. I have a feeling this will happen quickly. Some back channel persuation will be done and instead of a year the approval will come in months and "tmobile" will have iphone 5. Thats my feeling.
*blink*
Why? What's the point? They're one company in the end. Whether the iPhone supports 1700MHz is irrelevant, as all towers would be changed to do all the same frequencies, anyway.
Or Apple could include the AWS band in a future iPhone. Why is this option being completely ignored without an explanation as to why it?s not possible?
It is certainly possible. Nokia has phones on the market (the N8 and several others) with five band 3G -all the bands in the iPhone 4 plus T-Mobile's AWS band. If Nokia can do it, I am sure so can Apple.
My hunch is that until now AT&T was actively opposed to Apple releasing an iPhone supporting this band, as once this happened people would have been able to take unlocked iPhones (either unauthorised unlocks, or legitimate ones imported from abroad) and use them with 3G on T-Mobile's network. On the other hand, they now probably want T-Mobile customers to get the iPhone, as they will then become AT&T customers when this deal goes through. I would think Apple would like to support it if they can, as it would allow them to provide iPhones for additional carriers in two or three other countries as well as the US. In addition, AT&T is likely to want to get phones supporting all bands into its customers' hands as soon as possible, as they will work better once once the networks are merged.
However, this press release seems to suggest that there will not be a compatible iPhone this year. It could just be that the author of the press release doesn't know what is going on with various parts of AT&T, Apple, and T-Mobile. Given Apple's liking for secrecy, it is very possible.