Few months back, T-Mobile USA had revealed it had over a million unlocked iPhones running on its network.
That was a large number of iPhone users using T-Mobile USA’s network when you consider that iPhone does not support T-Mobile’s 3G data network due to the incompatibility with the 1700/2100 MHz bands used by T-Mobile, which means iPhone users could only use the slow EDGE network.
We may have some good news for them, as some users are reporting that their iPhones are picking up T-Mobile USA's 3G data signal. Electronista reports:
Multiple reports have emerged of T-Mobile switching on 3G for frequencies that existing unlocked iPhones and other devices can use. At least some parts of Nevada and some parts of Northern California and the Northwest are seeing 1,900MHz repurposed to be used as additional carrying space for the HSPA+ 84Mbps network anticipated for 2012. Those who live in the altered areas are seeing speeds faster not just than they would on EDGE but faster than AT&T's real-world 3G, at 7.92Mbps down and 1.8Mbps up.
Here's the reason:
TmoNews (via MacRumors) reports that T-Mobile USA has begun refarming some of its spectrum to roll out HSPA+ 84 network. For this purpose, T-Mobile seems to have moved its 3G network to iPhone compatible 1900 MHz band in some "pockets" of the country.
First and foremost, the area we’re specifically talking about is Nevada as that is where this individual unlocked iPhone owner lives. However, Nevada, parts of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are also seeing some pockets of 1900MHz spectrum refarming for HSPA+. There are other parts of the country T-Mobile can refarm the 1900MHz spectrum but, the focus is on the Pacific Northwest, Nevada, Utah and California for right now from what we’re told. We should emphasize and emphasize greatly that this post does not mean that all of the aforementioned areas are seeing this refarmed spectrum, just pockets inside those areas.
As you can see in the screenshot above, iPhone users on T-Mobile USA's network are reporting download and upload speeds that EDGE networks won't allow.
Let us know if you're one of the lucky ones to get 3G speeds on T-Mobile USA's network.
T-mobile stopped being an option when they started throttling speeds so. Whats the point, once you use as certain amount, its back to edge?
I think you dont understand what tmobile does. ATT and Verizon if you go over the they charge you more Tmobile only throttles if you go over. Its better than ATT and Verizon option.
I was once an T-mobile customer. The only advantage T-mobile had was good pricing of data plans. Now that they throttle they’re like everyone else except they don’t offer the iphone and if they did it wouldn’t work on 3g other than the “pockets” described in this article. By the way, I’m presently an AT&t customer and they suck just as much, but as least I have my overpriced iphone on an “unlimited” data plan. An yes I know they do throttle.
To be fair, all the carriers suck as well as the greedy phone makers, Apple in particular who sell their phone WELL above what its cost to make.
Oh and by the way I do know what T-mobile does, they throttle just like I said in the beginning/
they all throttle speeds now…
Yeah, You Right! But still holly sh!t…! It’s almost 4G
Wish this was an option for me, maybe someday.
Yeah, i’ve been throttled as well. At&t user.
I got the lucky att text letting me know I’m in the top 5% too, 10gig a month avg
Sprint doesn’t throttle, they just have throttle speeds to start…
I’ve used 2G data with att and received text saying i am in the 5%
and i have unlimited data plan… ATT sucks!!!
Agree
Well its like going 75mph on a one way with none one on it, you’ll keep going 75mph.
Personally I went with straight talk.
A little APN editing and you can get full AT&T service for $45/month unlimited everything!
Some not all, still a long way to go.
this is great!!!…i have free edge on my iphone with tmobile but i’d pay for 3g if this were to be available
can you explain how you set up free edge???!
Could someone explain how there other phones use 4G Speed and not a unlock iPhone?