prissilawikaq: T-Mobile to offer iPhone-friendly HSPA+ at WWDC

The millions of iPhone users who have unlocked iPhones on the T-Mobile network may soon be in for a treat, according to a report from 9 to 5 Mac. As you probably are aware by now, Apple is gearing up for WWDC 2012, set to kick off in San Francisco?s Moscone Center next week. A few iPhone owners in San Francisco recently have noticed a strange?occurrence?when walking past the Moscone Center; their iPhones were now displaying ?3G? instead of the customary EDGE.

T-Mobile has confirmed that it has provided a 4G HSPA+ MicroCell for Apple?s conference which runs on the 1,900 MHz network, and have rolled out a limited live test of HSPA+ on the 1,900 MHz network. The 1,900 MHz band is compatible with the 3G radios inside of Apple?s iPhone, and T-Mobile is hard at work on refarming the 1,900 MHz band to utilize T-Mobile?s HSPA+ network on a nationwide scale by the end of the year. This will effectively remove one of the barriers preventing more users from choosing T-Mobile for their iPhone cellular network, though customers would still need to purchase the iPhone at full retail pricing ($549+ for the iPhone 4S).

T-Mobile provided the following statement to 9 to 5 Mac.

?While upgrading coverage inside the West side of the Moscone Center, T-Mobile has also deployed 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band to test the live network on a small scale. As part of the company?s previously announced $4 billion network modernization effort, T-Mobile plans to launch 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band in a large number of markets by the end of the year, which will make our 4G network compatible with a broader range of devices, including the iPhone.

NOTE: The time and location of this test is just coincidental.?

Today?s move is good news for T-Mobile iPhone owners traveling to San Francisco for the WWDC conference, and provides hope to all T-Mobile iPhone owners that you will soon be able to utilize T-Mobile?s speedy HSPA+ network with your unlocked iPhone.

[via 9 to 5 Mac (1), (2)]

About The Author

Anthony Domanico

Anthony is a big tech geek, and loves all things mobile. While he currently owns an Android device, he enjoys playing the mobile field with Windows Phone, iOS, and Blackberry (if they ever Release BB 10).