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iPhone coming to T-Mobile USA next year not Verizon

on December 1, 2009 – 3:46 am14 Comments

t-mobile-iphone The Street is reporting that Apple might be bringing the iPhone to T-Mobile USA next year instead of Verizon. This news comes amidst Verizon promoting the Google Android based MotoDroid in USA heavily . The interesting fact is that Apple is already selling the iPhone on T-Mobile in select markets in Europe.

Things have been turning sour between biggies Apple and Google recently , and Apple might go with T-Mobile and break the exclusivity deal with AT&T. Verizon is the largest carrier in the USA and satisfaction levels of consumers are pretty high compared to disgruntled AT&T users.  AT&T is the second largest carrier and saw a huge turn around after the exclusive deal to sell the iPhone on its Network. But off-late many high profile iPhone users including Michael Arrington of Techcrunch and  Om Malik of GigaOM have moved to T-Mobile mainly due to the dropped calls on AT&T.

Apple’s interest in T-Mobile may be justified by the following facts

  • An existing relationship in other markets
  • T-Mobile’s support for iPhone even in USA ( The Ultra Cool T-mobile reps are certainly helpful )
  • A large number of Jailbroken iPhones on T-Mobile’s Network already
  • Apple thinks CDMA is dead and wants to stick with GSM. Adding support for the T-Mobile 3G Band is relatively easy.

But some facts about T-Mobile that might not amuse Apple

  • They have a relatively small userbase
  • Their 3G Coverage is not great
  • T-Mobile was the first carrier to launch the Android based G1 in USA

What do think ?  Should Apple go with Verizon or T-Mobile ?

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Varun Krish is a Mobile Technology Enthusiast and has been blogging about mobile phones since 2005. His current phones include the Nokia Lumia 800 and Apple iPhone 4S. You can follow him on Twitter @varunkrish and on Google+ You can also mail Varun Krish

  • anonymous

    apple should most definitely go with verizon. verizon is the better carrier and the largest. apple would make a ton of money off the iphone if it was brought to verizon. i as a verizon customer have been waiting for the day(if one should come) that iphone comes to verizon. APPLE PLEASE BRING THE IPHONE TO VERIZON !!!

    • http://www.fonearena.com Varun Krish

      But looks like iPhone on Verizon might happen only in 2011

  • http://www.raulsautorepair.com RAUL

    the right choice should be tmoble. they have best customer service and the most affordable rate plans,i hate VERIZON, they will milk you for every cent,

  • Luke

    T-Mobile ftw I used to have Vz switched to att for iphone, if T-Mobile picks up iphone I will make the switch to them.

  • Franco

    Arrington’s and Malik’s switch to T-Mobile is a joke – while AT&T’s network is constantly under scrutiny, T-Mobile’s network would probably implode if it were to attempt to handle the volume of data traffic that AT&T is currently handling. But, T-Mobile does have great customer service and is affordable. Verizon’s coverage is good but at the end of the day, both AT&T and Verizon cover 97% of the population but Verizon covers 100% of the cows. People want value and you won’t find it with Verizon.

    • http://www.fonearena.com Varun Krish

      Yes many Verizon users complain of high costs

  • Ivan

    They should go with T-Mobile. Verizon steals your money any time they can. They’re full of hidden fees, which would probably explain how they got a reliable network so easily. They brag and bash at the iPhone. They no longer deserve it. Plus, T-Mobile is cheaper.

  • Bill Casey

    iPhone going to T-Mobile USA makes perfect sense! T-Mobile is already GSM network (just like AT&T and all other networks).

    T-Mobile may be the smaller than AT&T or Verizon, but at least T-Mobile is also ranked with having the BEST customer satisfaction, best record of customer service, etc.

    T-Mobile also is ramping up their 3G network service ready in time for summer 2010. And hey guess what??? That’s exactly the time when AT&T’s exclusive iPhone contract ends.

    Gooooo T-Mo!!!!

  • Bill Casey

    Franco, you are WRONG. You are implying that Apple will only go with (small) T-Mobile in favor of AT&T? That is silly. Obviously, Apple in 2010 will allow USA customers to choose EITHER AT&T or T-Mobile USA. Many customers, for one reason or another, will still stick with AT&T (probably because of greater coverage). Those who are covered under the T-Mobile umbrella will also have the freedom/choice to go with T-Mobile iPhone plan instead of AT&T. I think under that scenario, T-Mobile will not “implode” with too many users than they can handle.

  • stick together

    Bill – What if that scenario you are referring to does not pan out? T-Mobile recently had a NATIONAL NETWORK FAILURE!!! To date there has not been an explanation as to why or what caused this FAILURE, or at least I didn’t get the memo. Can I rely on T-Mobile (coverage/network) if the pick up the iPhone if they are having problems the can’t address currently? With so many bootleg and unlocked iPhone’s on the market I’m sure T-Mobile will have significant increase in sales and their network will not supply the demand!

  • stick together

    Go Go Go Verizon!

  • iPhreak

    They should go to T-Mobile. T-Mo and Verizon actually have the same coverage, plus Tmo is GSM like the iPhone, and Verizon has suckish CDMA. So if they were going to Verizon, they would have do just throw away all att iphones because they wont work on verizon and spend millions on making thousands of new iphones with completely new hardware. Plus, on the Apple webpage, they said

    “I am proud that Apple and T-Mobile have become partners. The best mobile device currently on the market will soon be operating on the best network in the country.”

    That is a direct quote on the apple website. Here is the link:

    http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/09/19iphone.html

    • bri

      that quote was about germany not the usa and it was said in 2007 not 2009 about iphones going on t mobile networks in germany

  • Charles

    Well….. I think that Apple should bring the iPhone (the existing one or the new one that’s supposed to be coming out later this year) to “T-Mobile”.

    What the new (or existing) iPhone will gain will be a carrier that will have a wider 3G coverage area than AT&T and a relatively strong customer base.

    And also, due to their aggressive pricing structure and a more reliable mobile network (compared to AT&T supposedly), Apple could stand to make a ton of money if they bring the iPhone to T-Mobile.

    And unlike Verizon, T-Mobile won’t penny and dime you to death either.

    If they do pick up the Apple i-Phone, that may prompt me to stay with T-Mobile then, because I will be getting THAT phone. Otherwise, I may get me an HTC phone if they do not pick up the iPhone.

    My take on the matter.

    –Charles–