T-Mobile says its network is ready for the Apple iPhone-in Las Vegas

posted by Alan F. / Sep 24, 2012, 12:58 PM

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.

"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

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10 Comments

1. crankyd00d

Posts: 191; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

So what band will the T-Mobile LTE network use? 1700?

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 1:11 PM 0

4. simplyj

Posts: 406; Member since: Dec 23, 2009

Yes sir

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 1:56 PM 0

2. darkkjedii

Posts: 30971; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I live in Las Vegas, and Tmobiles coverage is crap where I live, which is by the strip. Thanx, but no thanx I'm sticking with AT&T 4G LTE.

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 1:50 PM 2

7. jenna_23

Posts: 145; Member since: Apr 02, 2010

I agree with u i was just in vegas t-mobile is crap i went with friends one with virgin mobile the other with t-mobile and me with at&t,, t-mobile crapped out deep inside the casinos, elevators and clubs while me on at&t and my friend on virgin had signal in all those places LOL i felt bad for my friend on t-mobile she had to borrow my att xperia ion and my friends virgin mobile evo 3D to log in to fb and call cuz she had no service in her t-mobile galaxy s3 lol.

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 2:16 PM 0

3. Landmarkcm

Posts: 507; Member since: Aug 11, 2009

*Typo I think you meant running faster over Tmobile HSPA+ network not Sprints..

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 1:51 PM 3

8. mas11

Posts: 1034; Member since: Mar 30, 2012

T-Mobile is so desperate these days. First they beg to be part of AT&T and now they are desperate to get the iPhone. Heck they don't even have an Lte network.

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 2:26 PM 0

10. Mxyzptlk unregistered

So? They have HSPA+ which have potential speeds far greater than LTE.

posted on Sep 24, 2012, 6:32 PM 0

12. mas11

Then why did Sprint switch from WiMax to Lte, why did AT&T start building an Lte network to compete with Verizon even though they already have a strong HSPA+ network and why did Verizon just skip HSPA+ all together and go straight to Lte? Face it Lte is the superior to every other network technology and without Lte T-Mobile isn't even in the same league as the other big carriers. Heck the iPhone you love so much has Lte now, are you saying Apple shouldn't have made the new iPhone an Lte device?

posted on Sep 25, 2012, 9:40 AM 1

9. BattleBrat

Posts: 1476; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

I have a friend who has a iPhone 4 that was unlocked by at&t, (he finished his contract) I was thinking of buying it from him and taking advantage of Tmo's unlimited talk text and data for $70... To use it as a media player, but I Dunno considering I'll be stuck at 2g here in L.A. I have a 4s now, but I'd have to have it unlocked by "unconventional" means to work with Tmo