t-mobile

If nothing else, 2012 has shown that the mobile industry is a pretty tough business to be in.

Many handset manufacturers, wireless carriers, and component suppliers felt the pressures of mobile business sink in, and as a result, there were a lot of shake-ups this year.

The same pressures and competitive dynamics are expected to persist next year, so expect a lot more action. The following predictions are based on conversations with industry sources over the last few months, market trends, speculation, and a little wishful thinking.

One thing's for sure, the industry should keep us all on our … Read more

If you're desperate to stay with T-Mobile's service and rock an iPhone, the nation's fourth-largest carrier has good tidings on both fronts.

Today, T-Mobile unveiled plans to expand its 1,900MHz band in 14 new markets, bringing its grand total to 37 cities covered by the faster network.

In addition, the carrier announced a partnership with Solavei, a no-contract carrier that resells T-Mobile's service -- and the iPhone. Customers who sign up with Solavei in any of T-Mobile's 4G markets will be able to purchase the iPhone and sign onto an unlimited talk, text, and … Read more

T-Mobile announced today that it added five new metro areas to its list of U.S. cities served by 4G (HSPA+) on its faster 1900 network, including Chicago, Reno, and three regions in California.

"T-Mobile has now enhanced the network in 23 metro areas, and we have already reached 100 million people with this improved network experience," T-Mobile USA's chief technology officer Neville Ray said in a statement. "These upgrades will now provide voice and data enhancements, improved signal strength and in-building coverage for customers."

One of the devices that the carrier specifically highlighted to … Read more

T-Mobile USA wants to shake up the status quo in the wireless industry to spur its turnaround. At the same time, it could change the way consumers think about how they pay for their services.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere yesterday said the carrier would eliminate subsidies next year, moving completely to its "Value" plans. In doing so, it will be the first nationwide carrier to shed the age-old (and typically more lucrative) practice of signing customers to long-term contracts in exchange for subsidies.

Under this model, consumers either pay full price for the smartphone, or pay in monthly … Read more

Soon there will be more than just one way to contact 911.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced today that the four largest wireless carriers in the U.S. have agreed to fast track a service that will let people text the emergency 911 line.

AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile have all signed on and major deployments are planned to roll out in 2013 and the service should be fully available nationwide by May 15, 2014.

"Access to 911 must catch up with how consumers communicate in the 21st century -- and today, we are … Read more

Today's word that T-Mobile plans to sell Apple products in 2013 certainly sounds like great news to the iPhone and TMO faithful. The question remains, however, if the carrier can deal with the increased load Apple's uber-phone will put on its network. It's also unclear whether the latest iPhone 5, which boasts 4G LTE data access on other networks, will offer the same performance after joining T-Mobile's roster. … Read more

T-Mobile USA CEO John Legere is promising a "dramatically different" experience with the iPhone when it comes to his company next year.

Legere, speaking at an investor conference in Germany, was frustratingly light on details, but did confirm that T-Mobile would sell the iPhone. An earlier statement by parent Deutsche Telekom only said that Apple and T-Mobile would only bring out products next year -- a vague declaration of their partnership. Apple confirmed the deal but didn't add anything else.

For T-Mobile, getting the iPhone would fill the big gap in its portfolio. As the smallest national … Read more

T-Mobile USA and Apple have agreed to sell products together next year.

That's according to T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom, which disclosed the agreement in an investor update sent via press release.

"In addition, T-Mobile USA has entered into an agreement with Apple to bring products to market together in 2013," the statement said.

It remains unclear whether the agreement actually means the iPhone -- which isn't mentioned in the release. The deal could be limited to selling the iPad or iPad Mini.

But a deal for Apple to sell the iPhone through T-Mobile would make sense … Read more