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As expected, T-Mobile has just officially announced it will carry the iPhone 5 as part of its ‘Uncarrier’ event today in New York City to unveil its new no-contract, no subsidy pricing plans. According to the company’s press release, the iPhone 5 will be available April 12 nationwide for $99.99 down plus an additional monthly payment of $20 per month for 24 months. Pre-orders for the device will begin on April 5 through T-Mobile’s website.
Although that will allow you to get an iPhone 5 for around $579 compared to $649 at retail, the device will be locked to T-Mobile until its paid off. However, with no contract, you’ll be able to walk away for cost of the device.
The company will also offer the iPhone 4s for $69.99 down and $20 per month for 24 months and the iPhone 4 for $14.99 down and $15 per month for 24 months in select markets.
T-Mobile announced today that qualifying customers can get an iPhone 5 for $99.99 down, plus monthly payments. T-Mobile is the only major U.S. wireless company to offer iPhone 5 with no annual service contract plus unlimited talk, text and Web on a screaming-fast nationwide 4G network. And because there are no annual contracts, customers make the decision when to upgrade their devices — not the carrier.
As for iPhone 5 plans on T-Mobile, the company will offer just one Simple Choice Plan that starts at a base $50 per month for unlimited talk and text and 500MB of data. Users can bump up to unlimited data for an extra $20 and add a second line for $30 (plus $10 per month for each additional line).
T-Mobile noted that iPhone customers would also have access to a number of free premium benefits including nationwide HD voice (the only carrier to offer the wideband audio feature), smartphone mobile hotspot, and talk and surf with truly unlimited 4G:
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· HD Voice – delivering nationwide crystal-clear high-definition calling and significantly reduced background noise. T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier offering nationwide HD Voice for iPhone 5.
· T-Mobile Smartphone Mobile HotSpot for on-the-go tethering Internet access. Through Simple Choice, T-Mobile offers an additional 500MB of 4G data for tethering, enabling customers to tether from their iPads, Macs and other devices.
· Talk and surf at the same time — without limits. Through T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan, customers can opt for totally unlimited 4G data on a nationwide network, something no other major U.S. wireless company offers for iPhone 5.
Engadget confirmed with Apple that the T-Mobile iPhone 5 is an updated version of the existing A1428 model for AT&T that enables AWS support. That means users will need to purchase the new device to use T-Mobile’s network. Apple will sell the T-Mobile variant through its website at full price on April 12
Apple affirmed to us that it’s not something that can be enabled via a simple software update for A1428 iPhone units already in circulation. To say that another way, existing iPhone 5 owners on AT&T cannot simply apply a software patch to have AWS support added. You’ll need to buy a new phone next month.
The carrier also announced that it is expanding LTE coverage for new iPhone users starting today in a number of major markets, including: Baltimore, Houston, Las Vegas, San Jose, Washington, and Phoenix:
With compatibility on T-Mobile’s 4G network, iPhone 5 customers will enjoy a consistently outstanding wireless experience, seamlessly connecting to both T-Mobile’s existing nationwide 4G and growing 4G LTE networks. Today, the company launched 4G LTE service in seven major metropolitan areas, including Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is expected to reach 100 million people by mid-year and 200 million nationwide by the end of 2013. The company’s 4G HSPA+ network reaches 225 million people in 229 metropolitan areas.
T-Mobile’s full press release is below:
T-Mobile Un-leashes iPhone 5 With Incredible New Pricing and No Annual Contracts
Becomes first major wireless company to eliminate service contracts; debuts 4G LTE network in seven major metropolitan areas
NEW YORK — March 26, 2013 — Consumers will have a new affordable, unrestricted and hassle-free way to buy an iPhone 5 when T-Mobile USA, Inc. begins offering the revolutionary phone on Friday, April 12.
T-Mobile announced today that qualifying customers can get an iPhone 5 for $99.99 down, plus monthly payments. T-Mobile is the only major U.S. wireless company to offer iPhone 5 with no annual service contract plus unlimited talk, text and Web on a screaming-fast nationwide 4G network. And because there are no annual contracts, customers make the decision when to upgrade their devices — not the carrier.
“This is an important day for people who love their iPhone but can’t stand the pain other carriers put them through to own one,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA. “We feel their pain. I’ve felt the pain. So we’re rewriting the rules of wireless to provide a radically simple, affordable iPhone 5 experience — on an extremely powerful network.”
iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning 4-inch Retina display, an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance and ultrafast wireless technology1— all while delivering even better battery life.2 iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features, including Shared Photo Streams, Facebook integration, all-new Maps app and Passbook organization, and even more Siri features and languages.
With compatibility on T-Mobile’s 4G network, iPhone 5 customers will enjoy a consistently outstanding wireless experience, seamlessly connecting to both T-Mobile’s existing nationwide 4G and growing 4G LTE networks. Today, the company launched 4G LTE service in seven major metropolitan areas, including Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is expected to reach 100 million people by mid-year and 200 million nationwide by the end of 2013. The company’s 4G HSPA+ network reaches 225 million people in 229 metropolitan areas.
In addition to a great 4G network experience, T-Mobile offers iPhone 5 customers one of the simplest and most competitive consumer rate plans in the industry. Rather than providing a dizzying number of consumer rate plans, T-Mobile is offering iPhone 5 with just one.
T-Mobile’s new Simple Choice Plan starts with a base rate of $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with 500MB of 4G data.3 Consumers can add 2GB of 4G data for $10 per month per line or get unlimited 4G data for an additional $20 per month per line. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. There are no caps and no overages.
Additional Benefits
In addition to the Simple Choice Plan’s reasonable terms and powerful nationwide network, iPhone 5 customers can take advantage of several free premium benefits from T-Mobile, including:
· HD Voice – delivering nationwide crystal-clear high-definition calling and significantly reduced background noise. T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier offering nationwide HD Voice for iPhone 5.
· T-Mobile Smartphone Mobile HotSpot for on-the-go tethering Internet access. Through Simple Choice, T-Mobile offers an additional 500MB of 4G data for tethering, enabling customers to tether from their iPads, Macs and other devices.
· Talk and surf at the same time — without limits. Through T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan, customers can opt for totally unlimited 4G data on a nationwide network, something no other major U.S. wireless company offers for iPhone 5.
