T-Mobile US 4G LTE network reaches 157 million people in 116 metro areas

T-Mobile US on Thursday said its 4G LTE network now reaches 157 million people in 116 metro areas across the United States.

As promised earlier, T-Mobile’s target is to offer nationwide 4G LTE network coverage by the end of the year, reaching 200 million people in more than 200 metropolitan areas.

In addition, T-Mobile’s 4G HSPA+ network service is available to 228 million people nationwide.

T-Mobile also announced pricing and availability for three new devices, bringing its portfolio to nine 4G LTE-capable smartphones. The new devices include Sony Xperia Z; Nokia Lumia 925; and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.

The telecom major also announced JUMP! that enables users to upgrade their phones when they want, up to twice a year as soon as six months from enrollment.

“At some point, big wireless companies made a decision for you that you should have to wait two years to get a new phone for a fair price. That’s 730 days of waiting. 730 days of watching new phones come out that you can’t have. Or having to live with a cracked screen or an outdated camera,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile US.

The company also unveiled a program enabling families to get four phone lines with unlimited talk, text and Web and up to 500MB of high-speed data for only $100 per month — with no credit check or annual service contract required.

Due to its special strategies, the company has nearly tripled its flow of postpaid net-new customers from AT&T since March. Market data shows T-Mobile is gaining more net-new customers in May than each of the other major wireless carriers.

JUMP! offers the freedom to upgrade to a new device more affordably and protects against malfunction, damage, loss or theft — for $10 per month per phone (plus taxes and fees). That’s $2 more than most customers have been paying for handset protection alone.

[email protected]