Considering unlocking my iPhones and going to T-mobile...

[TurtleCrusher]

This topic can go in a variety of subforums (apple and mobile devices, also OT as its about tmobile networks), however it applies to each so I'm posting here..

My wife and I both have 3GS iPhones, and we're sick of the high monthly rates. I have a 16gb that is without a contract, and her 8gb has until April.

My questions are, since I will be getting edge Internet service, how useable will that be for light web surfing and gps data? I usually use opera mini anyway so my data usage is low, and I'm on wifi whenever I download apps and such. Is it something like 20-30KB per second?

Also I heard tmobile is now using a 1900mhz band in select markets, and the iPhone has been seen using it. I heard it was being deployed all over the northwest, and Portland is where I'll be for good in a few weeks. Is the 3G band available there for the iPhone? Also can you do family plan pricing without a contract??

Any advice or suggestions is surely welcome.

 

[Ichinisan]

Better check to make sure you have a baseband that can be unlocked.

 

[Ns1]

Edge = LOL

(at least this is what happened to my parents on TMO, so I assume that's just the way it is)

 

[Ichinisan]

I've had to get by on Edge before. It's better than dial-up, for sure. Frustrating and slow, but tolerable.

 

[Ns1]

I've had to get by on Edge before. It's better than no dial-up, for sure. Frustrating and slow, but tolerable.

I have no idea how you cope. It's like the dark ages.

 

[Kelvrick]

I used the Iphone 3G on TMO. Then went to the G2 when that came out, on a SGS2 now. I will NEVER go back now. Internet is just way tooooooo slow.

 

[SandEagle]

sign up with tmobile this saturday. all smartphones and tablets are free with 2 year agreement.

 

[effowe]

My g/f has an unlocked 3gs on T-Mobile. The speeds can be terrible and almost unusable at times. You need to make sure your on an unlockable baseband as well. If you have updated beyond 3.1.3 (I think) you may be out of luck, as the newer firmwares update the baseband.

 

[Ichinisan]

Ran some tests with 3G disabled on AT&T:

 

[Ichinisan]

My g/f has an unlocked 3gs on T-Mobile. The speeds can be terrible and almost unusable at times. You need to make sure your on an unlockable baseband as well. If you have updated beyond 3.1.3 (I think) you may be out of luck, as the newer firmwares update the baseband.

Of course, you can create custom firmware to update iOS without updating the baseband.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Ran some tests with 3G disabled on AT&T:

My Galaxy S II does 9MB/s easy on T-Mobile's HSPA+

 

[Gibson486]

When my myTouch 4g does not use 4g, it drops to EDGE instead of 3g. It is unusable in that case....

 

[vshah]

i've found edge depends a lot of signal. however slow it is, it's fine for email.

i've been able to stream a 256kb/s audio signal on tmobile edge, and when it's going that fast it's slow but bearable for web usage. '

 

[busydude]

I use t-mobile and their edge. It is fine for normal browsing and email.. and it does not suck as much battery.

 

[Ichinisan]

My Galaxy S II does 9MB/s easy on T-Mobile's HSPA+

Not really comparing to HSPA+ (which is basically 4G speed). I'm testing 2G Edge speeds.

 

[Gibson486]

I use t-mobile and their edge. It is fine for normal browsing and email.. and it does not suck as much battery.

Are you sure it is not using 3g? Cause I cannot even surf the web when my phone is on EDGE.

 

[Ichinisan]

When my myTouch 4g does not use 4g, it drops to EDGE instead of 3g. It is unusable in that case....

That's because T-Mobile's "4G" is really 3.5G (HSPA+). If I understand correctly, T-Mo's entire 3G network was upgraded to support HSPA+.

 

[isekii]

same once you taste 4g you can't stand 3g or even edge

 

[Pliablemoose]

Why not just put in Straight Talk sim cards?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

I am on TMobile and EDGE is pretty much unusable for me. The download rates are 2kb/s. No kidding.

 

[SandEagle]

i never see Edge or 3g on the Sensation? it's 4g > 2g > G. G is unusable pretty much

 

[Ichinisan]

i never see Edge or 3g on the Sensation? it's 4g > 2g > G. G is unusable pretty much

You're on T-Mo. I'll quote myself:

That's because T-Mobile's "4G" is really 3.5G (HSPA+). If I understand correctly, T-Mo's entire 3G network was upgraded to support HSPA+.

 

[ilkhan]

TMo SGSII on HSPA+

Dont unlock your iPhone, get a TMo 4G phone where you'll get the data speeds you want. As was mentioned, all the 4G phones are free after rebate on Saturday.

 

[soccerballtux]

Ran some tests with 3G disabled on AT&T:

that's not bad. That's plenty to stream some 64kbps ogg or accPlus.

 

[pm]

I used an unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile for years. It's slow, but usable as long as your expectations are low. I could check email, stocks, and use Google Maps, but surfing was frustrating and Pandora and YouTube were unusable. It was certainly cheap though... and that made the speed worth it... my wife and I paid something around $44 for the two of us and I had data (includes some % corporate discount... can't remember).

Whether or not this plan is workable depends on your expectations and how much you rely on data. If you like to stream music, then it will not do that. But if you just want to check email, stocks and the weather and occasionally look at a map, then you should be fine.

I hadn't heard of T-Mobile using 1900MHz for anything other than GSM. What are they using for the uplink? 2100MHz?