Apple introduced some surprise for its rural fans as well. Alongside the announcement of its next-gen range of smartphones: iPhone XS and iPhone XR series, the company also added some performance-based advancements. The new iPhones will also run on 600MHz LTE or Band 71 support. The improvement was stated in the form of tech specs section of the official web pages of Apple iPhone XS and XR.
According to AppleInsider, all the three newly launched iPhones will run on FDD-LTE, TD-LTE, CDMA EV-DO Rev. A, UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA and GSM/EDGE networks. The iPhone XS and XS Max will also hold the special capability to communicate with TD-LTE based Band 46. T-Mobile won the bid in FCC auction for 600MHz LTE and bought the right to Band 71 from the government of the United States back in April 2017.
Macrumors quoted that the licensed area for the band includes a wide range of America, especially in the rural parts, where the company said to target the Band 71 operations. The 600MHz LTE came to reality with T-Mobile in areas like Cheyenne, Wyoming by August 2017. Since then the company has expanded Band 71 based service into 1,254 cities across 36 states, including Puerto Rico. This means that the Apple fans from rural America and subsequent areas can now enjoy extensive network coverage with their copies of the iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR.
Chief Executive Officer of T-Mobile John Legere also welcomed Apple's new range of handset: iPhone XS & XS Max and XR to its top-coverage providing 600MHz LTE spectrum with an official Tweet. He stated: "Of course we're going to carry the new iPhones!! BEST PART?! They are the first iPhones ever to INCLUDE our 600MHz Extended Range LTE!! That means your new #iPhone will have the best coverage and network experience of any @TMobile iPhone..."
Legere's tweet also included a pre-register link for interested buyers who wish to get their newest copy Apple iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR from T-Mobile's online store, as soon as these reflect in stock.
However, Apple latest range of iPhones are not the first smartphones to use Band 71 support. LG G7 Thin Q, Samsung Galaxy S9, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 already hold the capability to run on 600MHz LTE connectivity. As per rumors, Apple has already left room for Band 71 support in its existing iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus. Therefore, these phones may also receive an update for the communication band if running on the T-Mobile network.
