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No, iPhone Probably Not Coming to T-Mobile Next Week
Merrill Lynch Says It's Coming, Ignoring That Network Isn't Ready

Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig has sent a research note to investors claiming T-Mobile will announce they'll be offering the iPhone next week.

In his research note Craig insisted that "speculation is heightening" about T-Mobile announcing the availability of the iPhone at analyst's day next week. Craig crows that Apple striking a deal with T-Mobile would give Apple direct to 98% of the U.S. post-paid market and 75% of the country's total mobile subscribers, in a deal he insists would be "incrementally positive" with any financial impact being "limited."

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While T-Mobile will eventually offer the iPhone, their network is anything but prepared, and an actual launch next week is very unlikely. So far, the company has so far focused on launching HSPA+ service over the company's 1900 MHz spectrum, trying to lure unlocked iPhone owners over to their network. However, HSPA+ over 1900 MHz is only available in 15 markets. T-Mobile's LTE network, slated for a 2013 launch, is available in a grand total of -- none.

T-Mobile's HSPA network doesn't yet support the PCS 3G bands used by the iPhone, meaning that any iPhone launch would arrive with a very loud thud as the vast majority of T-Mobile buyers realize they can only use the device on T-Mobile's 2G network, obtaining 200 kbps on a good day. That wouldn't be an iPhone launch so much as it would be a marketing disaster, one T-Mobile and Apple would surely like to avoid.

While an iPhone launch on T-Mobible is probably inevitable next year, and T-Mobile is busily working on a network overhaul that would make such a launch possible, their network just isn't ready for the iPhone yet. You'd think a Merril Lynch analyst (or Fortune, where Craig's note was first cited) might want to mention that.
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cchhat01
Dr. Zoidberg
join:2001-05-01
Elmhurst, NY

cchhat01

Member

why is it such a big deal

Its like people just want to keep beating a dead horse...
who cares if its coming or not... people who want to get it for use on T-Mobile will get it and use it irrespective of this...
Merrill just wants to cause some investor hoopla... its like treating the economy like a virtual sandbox, provide some input (even if its garbage) and see what the outcome is...

Jeez, gimme something meaningful to read.

Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

Mike

Mod

Re: why is it such a big deal

It's about a big of a deal as about a bank analyst making blind comments on technology.

name
@comcast.net

name to cchhat01

Anon

to cchhat01
said by cchhat01:

Its like people just want to keep beating a dead horse...
who cares if its coming or not... people who want to get it for use on T-Mobile will get it and use it irrespective of this...
Merrill just wants to cause some investor hoopla... its like treating the economy like a virtual sandbox, provide some input (even if its garbage) and see what the outcome is...

Jeez, gimme something meaningful to read.

The reason T-Mobile customers care if the Iphone comes to T-mobile is because then we wouldn't have to pay $600 and way up for a new phone. I don't see why 200 vs 600 for the LOWEST model doesn't sound like a big deal. Also, being able to just go to a T-mobile store and say hey I'm having a problem blah blah blah and there like ok we can SUPPORT you heres the solution...

That is the main reason T-mobile customers (like myself) care for this...
ssavoy
Premium Member
join:2007-08-16
Dallas, PA

ssavoy

Premium Member

They can't afford it

If they don't even have the money to actually expand 4G outside of areas with a population density greater than 5 million per square inch, they can't afford the iPhone.

Sadly, this company is still primarily and EDGE carrier. I just became a customer a few weeks ago and am already porting out due to unprofessional customer service. One of the "4G" towers near me has had speed issues for two weeks. I made a Google Map and plotted all of the problematic areas.

Their response: "We can't be grantee coverage in all areas." Very professional.

Cheese
Premium Member
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL

Cheese

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

said by ssavoy:

Their response: "We can't be grantee coverage in all areas." Very professional.

It's the truth though. Sorry that upsets you.
ssavoy
Premium Member
join:2007-08-16
Dallas, PA

ssavoy

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

Well, I should mention coverage exists. It's just something on their end that's not working correctly. There's a difference between simply not having service and having *broken* service. In this case it's broken service.

djdanska
Rudie32
Premium Member
join:2001-04-21
San Diego, CA

djdanska to Cheese

Premium Member

to Cheese
said by Cheese:

said by ssavoy:

Their response: "We can't be grantee coverage in all areas." Very professional.

not to mention that with their refarming, slowdowns are happening while upgrading towers. It should go away soon
It's the truth though. Sorry that upsets you.

34764170 (banned)
join:2007-09-06
Etobicoke, ON

34764170 (banned) to ssavoy

Member

to ssavoy
said by ssavoy:

expand 4G outside of areas with a population density

Their response: "We can't be grantee coverage in all areas." Very professional.

No one has actual 4G yet.

No one can guarantee coverage either.
ssavoy
Premium Member
join:2007-08-16
Dallas, PA

ssavoy

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

I have excellent coverage but it's "broken" in a specific location. I don't care so much as to that as I do the way the situation was handled. I gave them lots of info to help them out and they didn't even bother forwarding it to their network team.

And I use 4G as a placeholder for HSPA+. Sorry for the technicality.
TBBroadband
join:2012-10-26
Fremont, OH

TBBroadband

Member

Re: They can't afford it

TMO-USA and all carriers have a clause that states that coverage is NOT available in all areas. So weather its data or voice, still, coverage is not available in all areas and they make that clear, its on their website, on all marketing materials and in their contract.

"MAP INFORMATION: Capable device required for network connection and 3G and 4G speeds. Roaming and on-network data allotments may differ. Maps approximate anticipated coverage outdoors, based on a variety of factors, and do not guarantee service availability. Learn more" »www.t-mobile.com/coverag ··· pcc.aspx

And this is what you get when you click on "learn more":

MAP INFORMATION:

(Effective June 5, 2012)

Maps approximate anticipated coverage outdoors, which may include limited or no coverage areas, and do not guarantee service availability. Within coverage areas, network changes, traffic volume, outages, technical limitations, signal strength, your equipment, obstructions, weather and other conditions may interfere with service quality and availability. Capable device required for network connection and 3G and 4G speeds. Home internet speeds vary widely. Maps do not reflect coverage areas for Prepaid/Monthly4G service. See Prepaid/Monthly4G coverage map for details. Roaming Partner: Roaming refers to usage while on a roaming partners’ network within coverage area; not available for Mobile Broadband plans. Your roaming and on-network data allotments may differ; see rate plan for details. We are not responsible for the performance of our roaming partners’ networks. International roaming incurs additional charges and refers to usage outside of the US. Some areas of roaming coverage require a multi-band device. Certain devices and features will not work when roaming. Ask a sales representative or visit www.t-mobile.com/coverage for more information. If you travel outside of coverage areas, your device will not work.

© 2002-2012 T-Mobile USA, Inc.
tcope
Premium Member
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT

tcope to 34764170

Premium Member

to 34764170
said by 34764170:

No one has actual 4G yet.

Read the current requirements to be considered 4G.
34764170 (banned)
join:2007-09-06
Etobicoke, ON

34764170 (banned)

Member

Re: They can't afford it

said by tcope:

said by 34764170:

No one has actual 4G yet.

Read the current requirements to be considered 4G.

I have. ITU allowing carriers to use the 4G trademark to market LTE and HSPA+ as 4G does not make it 4G. ITU has made it pretty clear that they're transitional technologies and only LTE Advanced and WiMAX 2 are considered 4G.
Terabit
join:2008-12-19

Terabit

Member

Re: They can't afford it

Not to mention, with the exception of AT&T and T-Mobile's USA division, almost nobody else labels their 3.5G HSPA+ as 4G.
schmolf4
join:2011-06-23

schmolf4 to ssavoy

Member

to ssavoy
your site in dallas PA doesnt even have 3/4g equipment on it, it's edge only. the closest 3/4g tower to you is on the outskirts of wilkes-barre on 309...could be why you dont see the speeds you want.
ssavoy
Premium Member
join:2007-08-16
Dallas, PA

ssavoy

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

I know, it's in a specific area of Wilkes-Barre. I have EDGE at home that works and that's not a big deal to me. But the problem is in a 4G area.

this guy
@comcast.net

this guy to ssavoy

Anon

to ssavoy
said by ssavoy:

Their response: "We can't be grantee coverage in all areas." Very professional.

At least T-mobile is honest with their responces I highly value that in a company not just a "oh screw it we will fix it later" kind of attitude...

But then again if you enjoy the lies other companies tell you... to each his own i suppose ...

djdanska
Rudie32
Premium Member
join:2001-04-21
San Diego, CA

1 recommendation

djdanska

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

Or the pic of the verizon coverage down at the mall. You know the one, with the usa all in red. LOL.
ssavoy
Premium Member
join:2007-08-16
Dallas, PA

ssavoy to this guy

Premium Member

to this guy
Well an "oh screw it we will fix it later" is better than the "we can't guarantee it will work"

Cheese
Premium Member
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL

Cheese

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

said by ssavoy:

Well an "oh screw it we will fix it later" is better than the "we can't guarantee it will work"

And then you would complain when it's still not working. They told you the truth. There really isn't much more to go on about.
34764170 (banned)
join:2007-09-06
Etobicoke, ON

34764170 (banned)

Member

Re: They can't afford it

said by Cheese:

And then you would complain when it's still not working. They told you the truth. There really isn't much more to go on about.

Some people seem to prefer being told a lie instead of the truth.

Cheese
Premium Member
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL

Cheese

Premium Member

Re: They can't afford it

So it seems, lol!

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy

Premium Member

Simple solution

A simple solution would be for Apple to make an iPhone that is compatible with T-Mobile's network. The had to adapt their iPhone lineup to start selling them on Verizon. If Apple had their way, AT&T would still have exclusivity.
TBBroadband
join:2012-10-26
Fremont, OH

TBBroadband

Member

Re: Simple solution

VZW had the chance to get the iPhone first. That has been stated several times over and over. VZW just didn't want to give up control of the Apps store to iTunes. So they went to AT&T who was fine with that.

And they could go back to being exclusive with another model of the iPhone nothing is stopping them from doing so.

RARPSL
join:1999-12-08
Suffern, NY

RARPSL to IowaCowboy

Member

to IowaCowboy
said by IowaCowboy:

A simple solution would be for Apple to make an iPhone that is compatible with T-Mobile's network. The had to adapt their iPhone lineup to start selling them on Verizon.

They needed to make a special Verizon Phone since Verizon uses a technology that is not compatible with AT&T (and T-Mobile). When Apple released the iPhone5 they COULD have added T-Mobile 1700MHz 3G capability in addition to the 1900MHz that AT&T uses but they did not.

michieru
Premium Member
join:2009-07-25
Denver, CO

michieru

Premium Member

!

I think T-mobile is just waiting for the MetroPCS deal to go through before they go crazy on any deployment based on the spectrum MetroPCS will provide.

Even after the merger you will have the process of refarming, migrating, and deploying such networks on 1900mhz which takes time even if they work like clockwork and already have the plan written up.

If T-mobile does release an iPhone, it would have to be native freqs and a exclusive deal with Apple. My only question will be: How much did you pay T-mobile?

tmh
@comcastbusiness.net

tmh

Anon

BFD

Seriously, the iPhone is an overrated, obsolete POJ.
SauceMaster
join:2004-08-01
Kokomo, IN

SauceMaster

Member

Maybe this time it will happen

Who knows , maybe this time it will happen.

Even if it is true , that doesn't mean Tmobile needs to start selling it immediately in the next week or even month. No one but Tmobile knows how far they are on refarming the spectrum for iphone users.

It could be clearly just a announcement they will start selling it in the next "X" number of months. Clearly the top management realizes they need it and even said it was a big reason why their churn rate is higher than ever.

I personally would never own a Iphone but apparently many users would like the option. Maybe this is why the went back with the unlimited campaign again. Also their has been a lot of chatter by tmo employees on Tmonews that Tmobile plans on canning classic "post paid" plans very soon.

Which would leave value plans and prepaid. Which semi makes sense about the metro merger. Plus this would keep the subsidy cost of the Iphone down , cause there wouldn't be any subsidy anymore. Meaning they would only have Value plans which are still 2 yr contract and you pay full price for a phone with a down payment and 20 monthly payments.

That's my speculation

buddahbless
join:2005-03-21
Premium

1 recommendation

buddahbless

Member

Just a note, did not say which one...

The article Merril Lynch wrote states the I phone is coming to TMobile, they never said which one!

That might be the catch and got ya to the bottom line. T mobile and Apple possibly striking a deal to sell refurbished or discontinued Iphone 4 or 4S on TMO network eliminating TMO of the huge investments and financial blunders the other three ( especially sprint) gave into to carry the latest and greatest Iphone for the fanboys.
TBBroadband
join:2012-10-26
Fremont, OH

TBBroadband

Member

Re: Just a note, did not say which one...

the hype of the iPhone pretty much ended when it hit Cricket/LEAP and Virgin Mobile. It was no longer that big of a deal.
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT
·Frontier FiberOp..
Asus RT-AC68

BiggA

Premium Member

This write-up is idiotic

The iPhone 5 has AWS support and HSPA+ support, just not both put together. If the iPhone were to launch on T-Mobile, it would have AWS HSPA+. The network is not the issue. Heck, Apple put it on Sprint. It's the price. Until T-Mobile pays the price, they will have to keep re-farming for HSPA+ on PCS. When they pay the price, the T-Mobile iPhones will work just fine with DC-HSPA+ on AWS.
en103
join:2011-05-02

1 edit

en103

Member

Re: This write-up is idiotic

Even more so - the write up contradicts itself.
said by Karl :
So far, the company has so far focused on launching HSPA+ service over the company's 1900 MHz spectrum, trying to lure unlocked iPhone owners over to their network. However, HSPA+ over 1900 MHz is only available in 15 markets.
and yet...
said by Karl :
T-Mobile's HSPA network doesn't yet support the PCS 3G bands used by the iPhone,

•••

a333
A hot cup of integrals please
join:2007-06-12
Rego Park, NY

a333

Member

... the heck are they smoking..

Even in most of the NYC metro area, I have had spotty service when attempting to use my T-mobile SIM card with a non-AWS 3G device (»airportal.de pretty much shows this, as the PCS 3.5G coverage is rather spotty, since the refarming is still very much a work in progress.) Heck, the reps at the Union Square store were telling a couple activating their iPhones that there was no guaranteed HSPA coverage for PCS in NYC. I can see something like this being remotely considerable around late 2013, when T-mobile finally gets the refarming done en masse in most of their existing HSPA+ footprint, and some measure of an LTE rollout complete (should be possible as most HSPA+ towers already have some form of fiber ethernet backhaul.) Even so, I doubt T-mobile will actually sign an agreement with Apple... as it is, they have had to sell off their towers just to finance the spectrum refarm and network modernization program... a > $15-20 Billion deal will only hurt them, especially as the iPhone isn't anywhere near as big a deal now as it was a few years ago. Also, T-mobile is leaning heavily towards the un-subsidized contract+prepaid phone model, with the encouragement to get people onto value plans (just signed up myself actually), and subsidizing $700 devices runs rather counter to that model...