While there is still a debate regarding T-Mobile USA’s access to the iPhone 5, the carrier has opened an offensive to recruit unlocked iPhone users who may want to switch to its 1900MHz network, which the company calls “iPhone friendly” (meaning 3G and HSPA+ support).
To shed some context of this story, T-Mobile used to have its HSPA+ “4G” network on different frequencies than what AT&T and others are using. The net result was that only rare “pentaband” non-TMobile phones like the GSM Galaxy Nexus could enjoy the carrier’s HSPA+ support.
With the recent addition of 1900MHz HSPA+ band, iPhones and other smartphones can now benefit from T-Mobile’s HSPA+ and the company wants to make sure that users out there are aware that it offers cheaper rates.
T-Mobile has a number of plans that can be substantially cheaper than AT&T and Verizon. In the past, I’ve looked at them, but the idea of getting EDGE connectivity has always been a turn off. Now that this may not be a problem anymore, maybe it’s time to reconsider that option again.
Keep in mind that the 1900MHz band may have not been rolled out in your area yet, so test with one of the unlocked iPhone 4S found in T-mobile’s stores.