iPhone 5 to Be Released on T-Mobile in the Near Future?
The iPhone 5 could be released on T-Mobile in the near future, according to a new report.
Fortune recently published a report highlighting a research note from Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig, who claims that T-Mobile USA may be preparing to announce at its analysts day next week that it will begin offering the iPhone.
"Now Merrill Lynch's Scott Craig is out with a note reporting that 'speculation is heightening' that Deutsche Telecom will announce a deal to bring the iPhone to its U.S. subsidiary at next week's analysts day," wrote Fortune.
"It makes sense. The carrier recently beefed up its iPhone-compatible high-speed HSPA+ network in 10 metropolitan areas, allowing some of the 1.5 million T-Mobile customers already using unlocked iPhones to enjoy something better than GSM download speeds."
T-Mobile has been working to refarm its spectrum to move its fastest data services to frequencies that are compatible with iPhones. The carrier even started the "Bring Your Own iPhone" program in order to encourage iPhone owners to move to the carrier.
This move was also made in order to prepare T-Mobile to officially carry the iPhone by the end of this year and this latest news might point to that actually becoming a reality.
The fact that T-Mobile has been left out of the iPhone club has hurt the carrier's sales and new subscriptions significantly as that smartphone has been one of the highest selling in the world.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 in September. The smartphone sold over 5 million units during its launch weekend.
The iPhone 5 features the first major redesign to the Apple smartphone in 2 years.
It is thinner than its predecessor and has a slightly bigger screen and faster processor. It also runs off iOS 6 and is available on most carriers for $199 with a new contract.