T-Mobile says its network is ready for the Apple iPhone-in Las Vegas
Right now, there are one million unlocked Apple iPhone users who run the device over T-Mobile's pipeline at 2G speeds. But in one area of the country, some of those million might be shouting "Viva Las Vegas!." In Sin City, T-Mobile has upgraded its network to allow unlocked Apple iPhone users to experience 3G speeds (HSPA+ on the iPhone 4S). It's all part of the carrier's "Bring your own iPhone" plan that allows those with an unlocked model of Apple's iconic smartphone to use T-Mobile's unlimited data plan. And since AT&T has made it easier to unlock paid off Apple iPhone units, T-Mobile could end up with a windfall here despite losing out once again on the latest and greatest iteration of the phone.
T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray says that internal testing shows the Apple iPhone 4S running faster over T-Mobile's HSPA+ network than over AT&T's pipeline. Unfortunately for the nation's fourth largest carrier, the new Apple iPhone 5 supports 4G LTE service which the operator is expected to start building out next year. Verizon and AT&T already have fairly large national LTE footprint while Sprint is just starting to add locations to its nascent LTE coverage. Ray says that T-Mobile will be upgrading its network for Apple iPhone users in other locations, with Las Vegas just the first of many such markets.
source: AllThingsD
"As we retune our airwaves to turn on 4G service in our iPhone compatible spectrum in major markets this year, our network is becoming compatible with a broader range of unlocked devices, Las Vegas is the first of many markets where we’ll strengthen the network this year. … With some sites live in other cities, including Seattle, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and the New York metro area, customers are already experiencing improved coverage and iPhone “speed sightings” on T-Mobile’s 4G network.'-Neville Ray, CTO, T-Mobile
source: AllThingsD
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: