T-Mobile USA will begin carrying the iPhone 5 on Friday, April 12. The carrier says that qualifying customers can get an iPhone 5 for US$99.99 down, plus monthly payments.

T-Mobile is the only major U.S. wireless company to offer iPhone 5 with no annual service contract plus unlimited talk, text and Web on a nationwide 4G network, according to President and CEO John Legere. Because there are no annual contracts, customers make the decision when to upgrade their devices, not the carrier, he adds.

With compatibility on T-Mobile’s 4G network, iPhone 5 customers will enjoy a consistently outstanding wireless experience, seamlessly connecting to both T-Mobile’s existing nationwide 4G and growing 4G LTE networks, Legere says. Today, the company launched 4G LTE service in seven major metropolitan areas, including Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is expected to reach 100 million people by mid-year and 200 million nationwide by the end of 2013. The company’s 4G HSPA+ network reaches 225 million people in 229 metropolitan areas.

T-Mobile’s new Simple Choice Plan starts with a base rate of $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with 500MB of 4G data. Consumers can add 2GB of 4G data for $10 per month per line or get unlimited 4G data for an additional $20 per month per line. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. There are no caps and no overages.

In addition to the Simple Choice Plan’s reasonable terms and powerful nationwide network, iPhone 5 customers can take advantage of several free premium benefits from T-Mobile, including:

° HD Voice, which delivers” nationwide crystal-clear high-definition calling and significantly reduced background noise.” T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier offering nationwide HD Voice for iPhone 5.

° T-Mobile Smartphone Mobile HotSpot for on-the-go tethering Internet access. Through Simple Choice, T-Mobile offers an additional 500MB of 4G data for tethering, enabling customers to tether from their iPads, Macs and other devices.
Talk and surf at the same time — without limits. Through T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan, customers can opt for totally unlimited 4G data on a nationwide network, something no other major U.S. wireless company offers for iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5 will be available for qualifying customers with T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan for $99.99 down and $20 per month for 24 months. Qualifying customers can get an iPhone 4S through the Simple Choice Plan for $69.99 down and $20 per month for 24 months. The iPhone 4 will be available for qualifying customers through the Simple Choice Plan for $14.99 down and $15 per month for 24 months.

Financing is available on approval of credit online and in participating locations. The iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 will be available in select markets.The iPhone 5 will be available nationwide on Friday, April 12, at T-Mobile retail stores and through select dealers and national retail stores, as well as online at http://www.T-Mobile.com. Customers can pre-order iPhone 5 beginning Friday, April 5. For more information, visit the pre-registration page (http://tinyurl.com/bpnsjxd).