T-Mobile to Begin Offering Official Support for iPhones Starting Jan. 30th

[Akshay Masand]

Although not selling the iPhone directly, a reportedly leaked employee memo reveals that T-Mobile will begin to offer official support for subscribers using unlocked versions of Apple’s popular handset on its network. The memo, originally published on TmoNews, notifies current T-Mobile employees that starting January 30, it will be initiating a support program for the carrier’s estimated one million customers who currently use an unlocked iPhone on the network.

The coverage of the new “iPhone Scope of Support” is not comprehensive but it does include help with the common procedures, information regarding handset features, and specifications along with “other basic device questions.” Currently the iPhone information on T-Mobile’s support page is a bit lacking and mainly focused on getting unlocked handset users up and running on the carrier’s network.

T-Mobile isn’t an official carrier partner and operates on a wireless spectrum that isn’t supported by the iPhone. According to a report in December, it had been mentioned that the Deutsche Telekom holding company had been “reframing” its AWS 3G spectrum in a move that granted compatibility for unlocked versions of the device. You guys probably already know that contract-free iPhones are unsubsidized and therefore cost significantly more than the AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon offerings. Unfortunately, it’s the only option for some users though.

T-Mobile’s CEO, Phillip Humm said that the company’s wireless operating frequency was the key reason as to why it doesn’t yet sell the iPhone. Since the merger between AT&T and T-Mobile failed, AT&T must also pay T-Mobile $3 billion in cash to fulfill the deal’s pre-negotiated terms. Apple’s smartphone is a major hit for any network that supports it and carriers who don’t have it have blamed poor customer sign-up rates due to not having access to the device.

All in all, it seems like good news for iPhone users on T-Mobile. Are any of you excited?

Source: TmoNews

[mikerlx]

If they offer 3G data instead of Edge then that's a great upgrade.

[TimVFR]

Problem though, this is too little too late. How many T-Mobile customers have bailed thinking they would be stuck with AT&T! Plus T-Mobile making the statement about the iPhone not coming. I was perfectly happy with my unlocked iPhone 3GS on Edge with T-Mobile, good service and great pricing. They should have gone this route earlier

[done1234]

Tmobile has been supporting iPhones for years, they helped me set up my 1st gen iPhone in 2008.

[ohthatguyagain]

Check sources. $27 million.

[g12007]

i got a "iphone data plan" from tmobile in 08 on my 2g and then again the next year on my 3g .. this is OLD.. all you have to do is call CS and tell them you have a unlocked iphone and they will change your data plan and will give you way to set up your network settings step by step..

edge is bettter than nothing . when you have only that option you will take it

[unison999]

If they offer 3G data instead of Edge then that's a great upgrade.

If they figure out how to unlock all the other baseband, then I'm willing to switch.

[mindblown]

If they figure out how to unlock all the other baseband, then I'm willing to switch.

i think sherif hashim is working on it.

[Cellular]

Problem though, this is too little too late. How many T-Mobile customers have bailed thinking they would be stuck with AT&T! Plus T-Mobile making the statement about the iPhone not coming. I was perfectly happy with my unlocked iPhone 3GS on Edge with T-Mobile, good service and great pricing. They should have gone this route earlier

Well even tho u sign a contract with sprint or any phone company you do legally have 15 days to change your mind and not get the 2 year contract, its was implemented by the government.

[iRick]

If they offer 3G data instead of Edge then that's a great upgrade.

Exactly the same thought that I had when I saw this article. That's a MUST

[sziklassy]

Problem though, this is too little too late. How many T-Mobile customers have bailed thinking they would be stuck with AT&T! Plus T-Mobile making the statement about the iPhone not coming. I was perfectly happy with my unlocked iPhone 3GS on Edge with T-Mobile, good service and great pricing. They should have gone this route earlier

I don't understand the problem. All they are saying now is they will provide some official support. They aren't officially selling the iPhone (yet) or anything like that. You could have happily continued to unlock your iPhones and use them on the TMO network. honestly, nothing has changed except for some added tech support, basically.

[chasev2]

Problem though, this is too little too late. How many T-Mobile customers have bailed thinking they would be stuck with AT&T! Plus T-Mobile making the statement about the iPhone not coming. I was perfectly happy with my unlocked iPhone 3GS on Edge with T-Mobile, good service and great pricing. They should have gone this route earlier

C'mon! Anyone with political savvy knew that merger was doomed from the start. I am a T-Mobile subscriber and never contemplated if I would end up with AT&T. Washington was never going to allow it to happen.

[Holyloktar]

Exactly the same thought that I had when I saw this article. That's a MUST

Thing you don't understand is the iPhone most likely can't work on T-Mobile's 3G/4G network without a hardware change. Maybe there is something they can "turn on" to make it work, but I doubt they would do that until T-Mobile is officially selling the iPhone.