T-Mobile confirms it will offer “iPhone-compatible 4G” for WWDC attendees

T-Mobile officials have confirmed that it will offer “iPhone-compatible 4G” for WWDC attendees this year, reports 9to5Mac. As iPhone users interested in T-Mobile’s service will know, T-Mobile’s 3G spectrum doesn’t work on iPhones at all, leaving those using unlocked iPhones on the wireless provider’s network stuck with “edge” coverage. Now, the company is essentially launching a bubble of 3G (note: they call it 4G because its HSDPA+) around WWDC.

This is a ballsy PR move on T-Mobile’s part, as the company is clearly using this opportunity to say to Apple and iPhone users that it can in fact support the iPhone. According to 9to5Mac, here’s T-Mobile’s Statement:

While upgrading coverage inside the West side of the Moscone Center, T-Mobile has also deployed 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band to test the live network on a small scale. As part of the company’s previously announced $4 billion network modernization effort, T-Mobile plans to launch 4G HSPA+ service in the 1900 MHz band in a large number of markets by the end of the year, which will make our 4G network compatible with a broader range of devices, including the iPhone.

NOTE: The time and location of this test is just coincidental.

As you can see above, this test is part of T-Mobile’s $4 billion network modernization effort, and is certainly intended to leave a strong impression on Apple fans, despite the fact that the company claims “this test is just coincidental,” in terms of its perfect alignment with Apple’s own event.

All in all, it looks like the iPhone could eventually arrive on T-Mobile after all, but first we’ll have to wait and see if T-Mobile can manage to make a good impression.