Unlocked Apple iPhone units can test T-Mobile's 1900MHz 4G HSPA+ network at WWDC

posted by Alan F. / Jun 07, 2012, 11:35 PM

Unlocked Apple iPhone units can test T-Mobile's 1900MHz 4G HSPA+ network at WWDC

While T-Mobile doesn't sell the Apple iPhone, it does welcome owners of the device to use its network, and in fact, many do. The carrier sells microSIM cards for the Apple iPhone and offers plans tailored for the iconic smartphone. Now, in a coincidence, T-Mobile will be testing its 1900MHz 4G HSPA+ network at the Moscone Center in San Francisco at the same time that the building hosts Apple's annual WWDC expo. Those attending the sold out conference and sporting an unlocked Apple iPhone will be able to use T-Mobile's network.

The Moscone Center is getting ready for WWDC 2012

The test by T-Mobile is part of a $4 billion upgrade of its network and is designed to create a 4G network for the nation's fourth largest carrier that is compatible with a number of devices including the Apple iPhone. The network, when completed, will cover 220 million people in 229 markets, the largest HSPA+ network in the country. The carrier has been hamstrung by its inability to offer the Apple iPhone to its customers and is also late to the LTE party. It is expanding its HSPA+ network in order to have some type of 4G offering until it starts promoting its own LTE network next year. T-Mobile says it already has more than 1 million unlocked Apple iPhone units running on its pipeline.

Meanwhile, workers outside of the Moscone Center have started putting up the WWDC 2012 logo on the outside of the building. The fireworks should start at 10am Pacific Time on June 11th with the keynote speech that is expected to include some big announcements.

source: electronista, AppleInsider

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15 Comments

1. wendygarett unregistered

WWDC!!!!

posted on Jun 07, 2012, 11:50 PM 3

7. PhoneLuver

Posts: 481; Member since: Jul 05, 2010

Hahaha!!! Only in America would anybody consider calling HSPA+ 4G!

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 4:46 AM 2

8. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Ummm T-Mobile's "HSPA+ 42" gives speeds of 20-28mbps , which is on par with LTE. More reliable and cheaper.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 5:48 AM 1

11. PhoneLuver

That's like saying a Golf GTI is a supercar because it can go 250KPH. HSPA+ scrapes the bottom of LTE. While a useful technology in it's own right, it really shouldn't be called 4G! Thank goodness the rest of the world agrees!

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 6:23 AM 3

12. PapaSmurf

"T-Mobile, America's Largest 3.5G Network." Does that sounds better to you? Say what you want because I'm saving over $40 a month and I'm getting speeds comparable to LTE. Have fun over paying.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 11:23 AM 0

2. e.wvu unregistered

Um, Alan. I know that you're an Apple fan and all, which I can tell by a grammar error you've made. "The carrier has been hamstrung buy it's inability to offer the Apple iPhone to its customers and is also late to the LTE party." It's by, not buy.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 12:05 AM 4

4. nyuvo

Posts: 72; Member since: May 10, 2012

yeah adding further to that, "buy it's" should actually be "by its". It's is short for it is.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 12:36 AM 2

3. Fuego84

Posts: 357; Member since: May 13, 2012

I hope t-mobile never sells iphones!

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 12:20 AM 5

5. jove39

Posts: 2146; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

why would you hope that...Tmobile is losing lot of subscribers to other carriers coz they have no iPhone...go Tmobile.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 1:48 AM 0

6. taco50

Posts: 5506; Member since: Oct 08, 2009

Alan is correct. T-Mobile is taking a beating because they have no iPhone. They're desperate for one.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 1:49 AM 4

9. PapaSmurf

+1. Nice job taco.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 5:50 AM 0

13. PapaSmurf

I like how I get three thumbs down even through: 1) I'm an Android fan 2) I have T-Mobile 3) Stating a fact due to people ALWAYS requesting the iPhone for T-Mobile.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 4:18 PM 0

10. hitechredneck

Posts: 103; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

Interesting...Didn't Tmobile make fun of at&t's network and the iphone because of all the people who jumped ship and went elsewhere to have an iphone and now they'll be supporting the iphone. Go figure. Wouldn't do tmobile even if you paid me jump to verizon first.

posted on Jun 08, 2012, 6:16 AM 1

15. Fuego84

supporting iPhones on their network is not the same thing as selling iPhones for apple. That way T-Mobile keeps all the money. Besides I had other att phones working on T-Mobile frequencies nothing new here.

posted on Jun 09, 2012, 10:12 PM 0

14. Fuego84

Why all this t-mobile trashing anyways? T-Mobile will have LTE late 2013. Besides right now I'm experiencing a very fast HSPA+ well faster than my friends galaxy s2 from sprint. Thanks T-Mobile offering fast data on no contract plans while not price gouging us. Was an AT&T customer.