t-mobile

Bringing phones to T-Mobile's LTE network: The devil's in the details

Today, T-Mobile hyped how much easier bringing phones to its new network will be. As it turns out, however, it isn't as simple as you'd think.

Here's the deal. T-Mobile is in the middle of three major wireless transitions. Besides ripping up mandatory two-year contracts, the carrier is building a new 4G LTE network. If that wasn't enough, T-Mobile also is migrating its older 3.5G data service from the AWS band (1700/2100) where it currently lives over to the 1,900MHz GSM band.

But that's not all. T-Mobile is using that freed-up AWS … Read more

T-Mobile undercuts Apple with iPhone prices

T-Mobile's new service plans mark a huge change for wireless carriers. In addition to ditching contracts, the nation's fourth largest wireless provider also has dropped handset subsidies completely. So now, when you buy a new phone from T-Mobile, you'll pay much more for your device than you did when you signed two years of your life away. You have the option of paying the full cost at the time of purchase, or paying a deposit with monthly installments, but the phone's price is the same either way. And, of course, you won't be tied to … Read more

T-Mobile gets iPhone, kills the contract

CNET Update keeps it simple:

Tuesday's Update explains T-Mobile's new plans and how its selling top smartphones for less than the competition.

Also featured in this tech news roundup:

- Google+ allows animated GIFs for profile pics

- Google+ updates apps with new photo tools and location sharing

- Facebook creates comment threads with reply option

- New BMW 6-series takes dictation, shows virtual gauges

- Sneak peek of New York Auto Show (pictures)

Watch CNET Update in the video above, and subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

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T-Mobile faces war of words after killing subsidies, contracts

T-Mobile's seismic shift in how it sells phones and service may be too much for some consumers to process.

In moving away from the old -- and arguably more comfortable -- business model of subsidized phones and two-year contracts, T-Mobile is hoping to shake up the industry and grab a bit of the limelight in the process.

But oftentimes, different is scary. T-Mobile faces the daunting challenge of explaining to consumers how its newly unveiled no-contract plans offer a benefit over the old model, and why it's actually beneficial for them to pay the full price for a … Read more

Testing T-Mobile's 4G LTE

T-Mobile just took a bold, new step by shredding the contracts for its plans plus launching its new 4G LTE data network. But what kind of speeds can you really expect to see on the carrier's hot, new devices? Judging from what I observed at T-Mobile's splashy press event in New York, apparently quite a bit. … Read more

T-Mobile's imagined upgrade club a boon for gadget freaks

Always itching for that next great smartphone? T-Mobile might have the answer for you.

One of the ideas being bandied about is the concept of a club that would allow for "anytime upgrades," which the company defines as a maximum of two upgrades per year.

Members would pay a "very small" membership fee, though it's unclear if this would be an annual or monthly one. In exchange, they'd get insurance for their phone and the option to upgrade their device twice a year.

The idea is just one that's being thought out loud, … Read more

T-Mobile CEO: Stop the bull**** with carrier plans

T-Mobile CEO John Legere is fed up with the "crap" the wireless industry has been feeding cell phone customers over the years. And he said that T-Mobile is here to shake things up.

At the company's "Uncarrier" event in New York City today, he made a pitch for T-Mobile's new no-contract plans, which went into effect Sunday, and he announced the launch of his company's new 4G LTE network and the long-awaited availability of the Apple iPhone on T-Mobile.

Legere, who took the stage in a black blazer, jeans and T-Mobile T-shirt, said … Read more

AT&T to T-Mobile: 'Whatever'

Is it just us, or did it seem like T-Mobile was taking a lot of shots at AT&T during its "Uncarrier" event today?

Executives, including T-Mobile CEO John Legere, mocked AT&T's confusing data plans, its network speeds, and even the paperwork required to sign up for its services. They claimed an iPhone on T-Mobile's new plan will cost users $1,000 less than at AT&T and even called AT&T Nation "vaguely sinister."

AT&T, meanwhile, didn't have much to say about T-Mobile's comments … Read more

Samsung Galaxy S4 comes to T-Mobile around May 1

T-Mobile will carry the Samsung Galaxy S4 on or before May 1, chief marketing officer Mike Sievert told CNET today at an event in New York.

The newly prepaid-only carrier is the first to officially announce Samsung's upcoming marquee phone, but others are expected to follow.

It isn't clear yet how much the Galaxy S4 will cost on T-Mobile's newly unsubsidized plans, but it will likely be in the same range as the Galaxy S3 is now, about $600.

T-Mobile will likely offer the option to buy the Galaxy S4 for a down payment of around $100, … Read more

T-Mobile announces Sonic 2.0 4G LTE mobile hot spot

In addition to unveiling its contract-free data plan, T-Mobile announced a number of devices that will be available on its 4G LTE network, including the Sonic 2.0 mobile hotspot.

Available now for $149.99, the Sonic 2.0 is the carrier's first LTE hot spot and it can connect up to eight devices.

The device is manufactured by ZTE and features a 1.77-inch color screen (which displays information such as signal strength, battery level, and number of connected devices), a microSD card slot that is expandable up to 32GB, and it works with both Windows 8 and … Read more