T-Mobile has issued a statement directly addressing the lack of on iPhone model on its network. Following news that a regional carrier, C Spire, was picking up the new iPhone 4S, questions were immediately asked as to why T-Mobile had not also picked up the device. T-Mobile reiterated its recent position that they would like to have the iPhone in its line-up, but blamed the iPhone’s incompatibility with its 3G and 4G networks.
Andrew Sherrard the Senior Vice President of Marketing for T-Mobile made the the following observations:
“T-Mobile thinks the iPhone is a good device and we’ve expressed our interest to Apple to offer it to our customers. Ultimately, it is Apple’s decision. The issue remains that Apple has not developed a version of the iPhone with technology that works on our fast 3G and 4G networks. We believe a capable version of the iPhone for our 3G and 4G networks would offer an additional compelling option for our customers on a fast 4G network. However, the iPhone is not the only option to experience the benefit that smartphones offer.”
It is well-known that although the iPhone is now a world phone supporting a wide range of GSM and CDMA networks, the radio in the iPhone 4S does not currently support T-Mobile’s 1,700MHz frequency.
Apple has increasingly shown an interest in expanding the reach of its iPhone range. It has retained the 3GS in its current line-up as an entry-level device alongside the 4 and the 4S. Further, it has also been adding numerous additional carriers globally each year, although T-Mobile is perhaps the most notable US carrier yet to carry the device.
While Apple has not commented on the issue, it is likely that a move to a true 4G LTE chipset may see T-Mobile finally join the ranks of carriers who sell the iPhone as well as Android devices.
