T-Mobile is planning something big for the unlocked iPhone owners at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) next week, as the wireless carrier will turn on HSPA+ services in the iPhone-compatible 1900 MHz PCS spectrum.
The revised service is expected to allow unlocked iPhone users to enjoy the 4G service that T-Mobile provides.
According to 9to5mac, T-Mobile confirmed that the carrier is upgrading the coverage of 4G HSPA+ network at the west side of the Moscone Center. It has also deployed a live test of HSPA+ service in the 1900MHz band.
This is part of the company’s effort to make their 4G network compatible to a wider range of devices including the Apple’s iPhone.
Among the four largest wireless carriers, T-Mobile is the only one not authorized by Apple to carry iPhone. However, the unlocked version can still be used on the T-Mobile network.
But at the moment, those unlocked iPhone’s under T-Mobile can only crawl at T-Mobile’s 2G EDGE speeds as the company’s 4G HSPA+ service runs only in 1700/2100 MHz band, which the iPhone doesn't support.
Now as T-Mobile is heading to launch 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band in a large number of markets by the end of the year, not only iPhone but many unlocked Android mobile phones will be able to use the service, which they previously could not.
T-Mobile’s HSPA+ service enjoys 42 Mbps data rate to the mobile device which will offer 8 Mbps download speeds, compared to 2-3 Mbps currently on an iPhone.
Recently, Apple has decided to unlock some iPhones that are out of contract, which led to Cricket and Virgin’s announcements of their prepaid plans on the unlocked iPhone.
Compared to Virgin Mobile USA’s competitive $30 per month plan which includes 300 voice minutes, unlimited texting, and unlimited date (throttles at 2.5GB), T-Mobile also has a no-contract 4G plan with 100 voice minutes, unlimited text, and 5GB of data for $30 per month.
