T-Mobile CMO: We aren’t getting the iPhone 5 [updated]

By on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:10 AM
mobile September 20, 2011

A leaked internal document from T-Mobile’s OneVoice intranet suggests T-Mobile will not launch the iPhone 5 this year. The document, obtained by TmoNews, cites a quote from T-Mobile chief marketing officer Cole Brodman during his speech at a September 15th Town Hall Field Service Center. “We are not going to get the iPhone 5 this year,” Brodman said, noting that T-Mobile will introduce two new smartphones that should spark consumer interest ahead of the holiday season. The legitimacy of the document is unknown so we’re still chalking this up as a rumor for now. We have heard plenty of reports that T-Mobile was testing an iPhone and a rumor late last month suggested the carrier was already preparing to launch the iPhone 5. Apple is largely expected to announce the device alongside a less expensive iPhone 4 some time next month.

UPDATE: A T-Mobile spokesperson issued the following statement to BGR via email on Tuesday evening: “We don’t comment on rumors. We remain focused on expanding our portfolio of 4G smartphones. We look forward to sharing on Monday, news about our latest and greatest product lineup.”

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  • JanetJameson

    Disappointing but I won’t say unexpected.  I’m actually an AT&T customer who wanted to go to T-Mobile to lock in the better rates before AT&T took over.  I would have if they got the iPhone 5 this year.  I would never go to Sprint for a CDMA iPhone.  

    Let’s see if T-Mobile actually responds by tweeting an official public statement on this story.  

  • n00btastic

    This will change if AT&T buys T-Mobile.  But not likely until then.

  • Anonymous

    This is not the first bad decision that T-Mobile has made, but it may be last.

  • Anonymous

    It really looks like T-Mobile is playing a waiting game on orders from AT&T. If T-Mobile were to get the iPhone and the merger is approved AT&T does not want thousands of subscribers being grandfathered in on cheap iPhone plans while their existing iPhone customers are paying a lot more for theirs. If the merger does not go through then T-Mobile can launch the iPhone at a later date.

    • Geokaplan

      It will be a year and a half before the deal is modified to a point where the Feds sign off and the lawsuits are dropped. By the time AT&T begins assimilating tmo customers the owners of iPhone 4 and 5 will want model 7. Suggesting AT&T is calling the shots isn’t very smart?.

      • Anonymous

        These days nobody at T-Mobile goes to the bathroom unless AT&T gives them permission. 

      • Anonymous

        My mistake. Of course, you would know. Cleaning T-mobile stores after hours clearly gives you keen insight.

        Maybe next time you’d want to spend a moment and rebut the points made? While it is true that T-mobile is planning on having current customer grandfathered in, it is also true that iPhone customers are among the most driven to replacing their phones with the latest model, and unless they intend to pay full retail for the new phone and keep their plan, they’ll have to give up the T-mobile plan with a two-year renewal.

        As I wrote previously, it will take at least 18 months for the acquisition to be approved, which means by the time AT&T gets around to figuring out their “new” customers, many of those folks would be ready to step into the latest iteration of the iPhone, and in so doing, would shed their old T-mobile plan. Folks at AT&T very much smarter than you figured out these steps to the dance a long time ago.

      • Anonymous

        That’s right, insult me. The fact is that I spent over a decade at TMO and I forgot more than you know about the company.

      • Geokaplan

        There is no sin in working for their Building Maintenance department.

        And yes, clearly, you have forgotten plenty. Otherwise, why would you strut such pig ignorance? You excel at making broad pronouncements, but suck out loud at making a logical case for your statements.

      • Anonymous

        Tough to make a logical argument to a person who has to resort to insults in order to make a point. Intelligent people can disagree about an issue without resorting to childish name calling. Please grow up before attempting to debate anyone on any issue. 

  • http://MobileGenius.wordpress.com JM

    This would be very bad news for T-Mobile  If Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T all offer the iPhone it will be a potentially huge loss for them. I wonder what would make them pass on it or make Apple pass on them…hmm.

    • Anonymous

      It could be a case where Apple passed on them for the time being. I could see Apple not wanting to enter into an agreement with a company that will may bought out by someone other than AT&T. If the new owners of the company decide that they do not want to sell the device Apple could be stuck with thousands of unsold devices and could have wasted millions in advertising and promotions.

  • bRoKen MonKey

    Been a tmo cust. for almost 6yrs now…….But no word on the Nexus Prime or an Iphone? Vrzn is looking much more tempting. Imo tmo has the better pricing/cust service. But smart phone selection? Just so,so and sprint(gas Face) I had them once before, but they slurp!  May to have to go to the darkside/Vrz, they’ve always had the better weapons anyway.

  • Brett3o3

    He is probably right as the new iPhone according to an AT&T memo screen shot says the new iPhone is called the 4S.

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