T-Mobile to reportedly unveil iPhone plans at 'Uncarrier' event, iPads to be absent [u]

T-Mobile, the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S., will reportedly discuss its plans for an upcoming rollout of Apple's iPhone at a scheduled special event on Tuesday, which would finally bring the telecom's smartphone product offering in line with the "big-three."

Update: AllThingsD has heard that T-Mobile is not expected to introduce a compatible version of Apple's iPad at the "Uncarrier" event and, while a full lineup of iPhones will likely be carried in the near future, the handset may not be immediately available.

According to people familiar with T-Mobile's launch plans, the iPhone will not only be mentioned at tomorrow's "Uncarrier" event, but is slated to be the one of the main focuses of the talk, reports CNet.

The carrier will reportedly showcase the iPhone as the headline device in its new price structure, which eschews subsidies in favor of lower monthly rates. The scheme will have customers pay an upfront fee and a monthly charge on top of the service plan to make up for device cost.

In addition, T-Mobile is said to be readying the iPhone 5 and its 4G LTE capabilities as a headlining product for the telecom's advanced network, which could also be launched at Tuesday's event.

It was reported in January that nearly 2 million iPhones were in operation on T-Mobile's network, with the Apple handset fueling over 100,000 activations each month.

T-Mobile announced last year that it had struck a deal with Apple to become a partner carrier, though the carrier has yet to divulge when the tech giant's products will be available on its network.

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24 Comments

tallest skil

said about 11 years ago

Interesting how Spring is now a member of a "Big Three".

The iPhone's the only reason for that. They'd better not forget it.

anantksundaram

said about 11 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

Interesting how Spring is now a member of a "Big Three".

The iPhone's the only reason for that. They'd better not forget it.

I always thought it was a member of the "Big Four", along with Summer, Autu.......

Back on topic, it is amazing to me how the iPhone still carries the ultimate cachet. To the undoubtedly continuing chagrin of the fandroiders out there, this one product will probably bring T-Mobile far more prestige and credibility than the rest of the handset models put together.

stephanjobs

said about 11 years ago

I can already hear the virtual "tires" screeching before the big network traffic "crash" they're facing. I doubt t-mobile is ready for the influx of data consumptions, new customers, and upgrading customers. The mascot biker girl's "aunt flow" will be in town and its gonna be a bloody mess if this is true. Lol T-Mobil might as well drop pink and adopt red as their new color.

ankleskater

said about 11 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantksundaram

I always thought it was a member of the "Big Four", along with Summer, Autu.......

Amazing indeed. I'd say, for T-M, it's about more than prestige and credibility. It's about survival. Previously, without the iPhone, they were going to wave the white towel and *merge* with AT&T. With that plan scuttled, I give them marks for not just getting the iPhone in their stable, but for trying something different.

Marvin

said about 11 years ago

[quote name="ankleskater" url="/t/156660/t-mobile-to-reportedly-unveil-iphone-plans-at-uncarrier-event#post_2300287"]I give them marks for not just getting the iPhone in their stable, but for trying something different.[/quote] Seems to me like they are going to ruin it. If they sell it completely unsubsidised, it will have a very high price point. I don't see them convincing many people who typically get the phone free to suddenly pay out over $500 up front. If the iPhone 5 is $650 and the Galaxy S3 is $550, it will just encourage sales of the cheaper handsets like the iPhone 4 and cheaper Android phones. It doesn't matter one bit to T-Mobile because they only get the money from the monthly payment. Worst case it should be a bit of both e.g voluntary amount up front and that equates to a lower monthly fee and/or contract length. So if you have $200, you'd pay that and your monthly fee might drop from $40/m + 24 month contract to $25/m + 24 month contract. You'd just get a slider of how much you wanted to pay up front.