News: T-Mobile to Finally Get the iPhone
T-Mobile is finally getting the iPhone on April 12, to coincide with the launch of its LTE network and Uncarrier initiative. As the company is moving away from contracts, the phone will cost $99 initially, with 24 months of $20 payments.
The company also announced pricing for the iPhone 4 and 4S, using similar models in “select markets” (presumably those that T-Mobile has switched its 3G/4G networks to iPhone-compatible frequencies). The 4 will sell for $14.99, while the 4S will sell for $69.99, both with the 24 months of $20 monthly payments. There is no word what would happen if you cancel before the 2 year mark is up.
T-Mobile sees the new model as a way to treat customers fairly if they want a new phone, but also not penalize those who choose not to upgrade, yet are paying the subsidy, as explained by John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA:
“This is an important day for people who love their iPhone but can’t stand the pain other carriers put them through to own one…We feel their pain. I’ve felt the pain. So we’re rewriting the rules of wireless to provide a radically simple, affordable iPhone 5 experience — on an extremely powerful network.”
As for services, T-Mobile is trying to keep that simple, as well:
T-Mobile’s new Simple Choice Plan starts with a base rate of $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with 500MB of 4G data. Consumers can add 2GB of 4G data for $10 per month per line or get unlimited 4G data for an additional $20 per month per line. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. There are no caps and no overages…
…T-Mobile Smartphone Mobile HotSpot for on-the-go tethering Internet access. Through Simple Choice, T-Mobile offers an additional 500MB of 4G data for tethering, enabling customers to tether from their iPads, Macs and other devices.
Finally, T-Mobile is the only US carrier to use the Wideband Audio feature of the iPhone 5, branding it as ‘HD Voice’:
HD Voice – delivering nationwide crystal-clear high-definition calling and significantly reduced background noise. T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier offering nationwide HD Voice for iPhone 5.
The company will be rolling out 4G LTE in Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington, D.C.