IPhone5 posters have arrived at T-Mobile stores in the U.S. They indicate an April 12 release date for the device. Pre-orders for the iPhone 5 on the T-Mobile network begin this coming Friday.
One thing that is missing from the new posters announcing the iPhone 5’s arrival on T-Mobile is a description of the company’s new UNcarrier plans. The plans allow subscribers to buy the phone on an instalment plan, paying part of the phone’s purchase price each month for two years, along with the monthly subscriber fees.
In addition to the posters, it’s also expected that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will advertise the fact that the iPhone5 is coming to T-Mobile via television and other advertising platforms. T-Mobile has not supported any of the previous iPhone models, so this will be the first time the network supports the device.
The addition of the popular device to the network, plus the rollout of the new instalment plans are the carrier’s latest attempts to survive as it struggles to stay afloat. The instalment plans are unlike any other plans offered in the U.S., so offering them is certainly a risky move.
T-Mobile USA is also attempting a merger with MetroPCS Communications Inc (NYSE:PCS) as another possibly way to stay afloat. That deal however, is meeting with shareholder opposition. Several shareholders have said that T-Mobile USA’s parent company Deutsche Telekom AG (FRA:DTE) (PINK:DTEGY) (ETR:DTE) will receive most of the benefits of the merger while shareholders are left out in the cold. John Paulson in particular has said that he will vote against the proposed merger.
