T-Mobile HSPA+ network to support the iPhone by year-end

posted by Victor H. / May 08, 2012, 7:09 AM

T-Mobile HSPA+ network to support the iPhone by year-end

CTIA 2012 already brought two new phones, but now it’s T-Mobile’s turn to shine and while the carrier hasn’t yet announced any new devices, it announced it will expand its HSPA+ service 1900MHz, and finally offer its 4G data speeds on the iPhone. This doesn't mean that T-Mobile is getting the iPhone - it may or may not in the future - but it does mean that if you bring your iPhone unlocked or from another carrier like AT&T, you'd be able to make use of HSPA+ speeds, not just of EDGE like now.

That's huge news, as iPhone support is one of the factors that allegedly slows down T-Mobile's growth. The US fourth-largest carrier already has 1 million iPhones working at EDGE speeds on its network. The expansion allowing faster speeds on the iPhone should happen this year, but T-Mobile isn't giving away further details.

When it comes to LTE, T-Mobile announced a partnership with Ericsson and the Nokia Siemens Network, and it confirmed that LTE will be deployed in 2013.

Finally, TMo is expanding HSPA+ footprint to the following locations:

- Little Rock, Ark.

- Hattiesburg, Miss.

- Springfield, Mo.

- Madison, Wis.

Little Rock, Ark.; Lake Charles, La. and Springfield, Mo are now benefitting from a 42Mbps HSPA+ network as well.

source: T-Mobile

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38 Comments

1. Glim12808

Posts: 394; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

I wish T-Mobile more power!

posted on May 08, 2012, 4:48 AM 5

2. BattleBrat

Posts: 1476; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

GO T-MO!!! Honestly I'm a Verizon man, but I've been looking for data service for my tablet.....

posted on May 08, 2012, 4:53 AM 5

3. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

hey haters.. how can you argue with LTE with a 42mb HSPA+ backhaul for half of VZW/ATT prices? yea, ya cant. WIN for Tmobile customers.

posted on May 08, 2012, 6:42 AM 6

4. quesoesgrande

Posts: 217; Member since: Aug 03, 2011

I cant wait cause my tmobile contract ends in 2013! Tmobile offers as close to the best as you get. Cheap unlimited data with no overages (but throttling), decent hspa+ speeds and wonderful devices!

posted on May 08, 2012, 6:58 AM 5

5. kshell1

Posts: 1143; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

even throttling to edge isn't to bad, not great but it'll still get your everyday webpage instead.

posted on May 08, 2012, 7:23 AM 2

6. Galen20K

Posts: 577; Member since: Dec 26, 2008

T-Mobile's HSPA+42 network is always great to Amazing for me and will be a really terrific fallback once T-Mobile turns on LTE-Advanced release 10 equipment next year. Both technologies compliment each other very well, which is why I just love a fully GSM carrier.

posted on May 08, 2012, 7:30 AM 2

7. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

The bet part to me is tjat the spectrum move allows for unlocked international 4g devices. Woot

posted on May 08, 2012, 8:00 AM 5

8. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

Hey PhoneArena, could you perhaps mention that this affects ALL smartphones that use the 1900MHz band, not just the iphone? Sure, there may be a million iphones in use that could take advantage of the new bandwidth, but there's a lot of folks with other unlocked AT&T (or international) devices that would benefit as well.

posted on May 08, 2012, 8:28 AM 5

9. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

yea, but saying "iphone" brings more hits from lovers and haters. i would like to remind someone, that this flies in the face of their arguments that "tmobile is begging apple for an iphone" and completely supports the rebuttal with the fact that they are expanding the 1900 spectrum to allow more 3g unlocked iphones. All the benefit without any of the apple BS.

posted on May 08, 2012, 8:39 AM 3

11. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

I know why they did it, and have nothing against trying to get pageviews on a free site (although the annoying fullscreen ads help with the free part), but they could at least have mentioned somewhere in the article that other phones will have support as well

posted on May 08, 2012, 9:21 AM 2

21. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

Let's be real this is all about the iPhone

posted on May 08, 2012, 11:06 AM 2

22. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

and it also brings iTrolls. point in case.. heres taco.

posted on May 08, 2012, 11:56 AM 3

27. WakaFlakaD

Posts: 576; Member since: Apr 30, 2011

Taco never gets bored of trolling lol

posted on May 08, 2012, 12:14 PM 0

10. simplyj

Posts: 406; Member since: Dec 23, 2009

Come on San Antonio! I want to be able to use any phone I want!

posted on May 08, 2012, 9:05 AM 0

12. theoak

Posts: 324; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

I don't think the 4S can do 42. I think it can only do 14. The 4 can only do 7. It would definitely give folks the option to keep their 4S longer as you could unlock your phone, and move to T-Mobile as the 4S has a world GSM radio in it. You could only move an AT&T 4 to T-Mobile as the Verizon 4 I think only has a CDMA radio in it.

posted on May 08, 2012, 9:22 AM 0

25. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

4S can do 21, actually.

posted on May 08, 2012, 12:09 PM 0

13. rsiders

Posts: 1978; Member since: Nov 17, 2011

So besides the iPhone will this apply to other phones as well? I'm using an unlocked HTC Titan and I love it besides only getting edge and MMS not working.

posted on May 08, 2012, 9:23 AM 1

16. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

yes, this move will just about make T-Mobile the universally compatible GSM company.

posted on May 08, 2012, 10:20 AM 0

35. rsiders

Posts: 1978; Member since: Nov 17, 2011

Wow, this is great news! Go T-Mobile.

posted on May 08, 2012, 4:53 PM 0

37. rsiders

Posts: 1978; Member since: Nov 17, 2011

Great news, MMS is now working. Connection Setup finally got the settings right.

posted on May 09, 2012, 10:56 PM 0

14. tward291

Posts: 559; Member since: Feb 14, 2012

when will the note and lumia 900 launch

posted on May 08, 2012, 9:23 AM 0

15. phunkinc

Posts: 16; Member since: Nov 08, 2011

This will include more than just the iPhone. It will include any GSM phone that can run on the 1900 band...international devices, AT&T devices, etc.

posted on May 08, 2012, 10:06 AM 0

17. bovcrx

Posts: 109; Member since: Mar 06, 2012

Hmmmmmmm now the 808 Pure View might be my next phone.

posted on May 08, 2012, 10:28 AM 0

18. gwuhua1984

Posts: 1237; Member since: Mar 06, 2012

Once the 1900 mhz spectrum is refarmed, then it'll be time for me to get data on my unlocked phone that I'm getting in another two months.

posted on May 08, 2012, 10:30 AM 0

19. squallz506

Posts: 1075; Member since: Oct 19, 2011

awesome cant wait to pick up an international note when i get sick of my evo 3d.

posted on May 08, 2012, 10:39 AM 0

20. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

T-Mobile is desperate for an iPhone. They are the only major carrier to lose customers the last two quarters. Apple would not make an iPhone compatible for T-Mobile so T-Mobile is spending tons of money to make their network compatible with the iPhone. Here's T-Mobiles executives admitting to losing customers because of the iPhone. http://www.bgr.com/2012/02/23/go-apple-or-go-home-t-mobile-continues-to-flounder-without-the-iphone/ "The sequential and year-on-year increase in customer losses is a result of intense competitive pressure from the launch of the iPhone 4S by three nationwide competitors in the fourth quarter of 2011" We know a certain poster will deny obvious admitting by the T-Mobile execs

posted on May 08, 2012, 11:05 AM 0

23. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

you still dont get it. There are MILLIONS of iphones on Tmobile's network. They dont want to SELL the iphone and be stuck with apple's terms, they just want to HAVE the iphone. Thats the point you just cant get through your skull. Making the network ATT/international 3g compatible frees up the last hurdle to wide spread iphone (and awesome international phone) adoption on the network, without giving a PENNY directly to Apple. That way they can keep their pricing, and not be strangled by the fruit flavored anaconda like Sprint is. Lets see, I can buy an iphone for 200 on ATT and pay 130+ a month for it, or i can buy one unlocked and be on Tmobile for 30-60 a month and they have a bigger high speed network than ATT anyways. Which one is the better deal??

posted on May 08, 2012, 12:00 PM 1

24. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

So in your mind T-Mobile doesn't want to sell an iPhone even though their leadership has said they do want to sell it and it's Apple decision. I know you hate Apple, but no matter how you spin it you're wrong and you just don't want to admit it.

posted on May 08, 2012, 12:06 PM 0

26. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

whatever lets you sleep at night taco. Like always your so clueless you dont even notice. I think I've safely spelled it out multiple times for you. A stray cat would understand it by now. I know i shouldnt expect that much of you. Their current route is all benefit with none of the tie downs and loss leaders. WHY would they WANT to sell it directly? Once this spectrum roll out gets into more advanced stages, i wouldnt be surprised if T-Mobile makes commercials about bringing unlocked iPhones to the network and saving customers tons of money. Its ALL WIN for Tmobile that way. Yes, I find the company culture completely disgusting... just like you. No redeeming qualities to speak of. That doesnt mean I cant look objectively at SMART business. It also doesnt mean I cant be objective about the devices... especially since more often than not, I am. Which is more than I can say for your sorry troll behind.

posted on May 08, 2012, 12:11 PM 0

29. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

I agree, but I believe they may get it officially soon. If I were T-MO, I would push the stores and dealers to discuss benefits of iphone on their network. I would not enter into a deal with APPLE, due to high subsidy costs. T-MO can not afford it - look at SPRINT - barely staying alive.

posted on May 08, 2012, 12:19 PM 0

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