why T-Mobile USA is always considered "weak"

[greenblood]

when it comes to phone selection, T-Mobile is likely the worst (though it's better now)
when it comes to reception, most of non or ex T-Mobile users say it's the worst (though it's improved vastly in past 5 years since 2002)
when it comes to US 3G bands, most of ppls say 850/1900, where THE HELL THE AWS?????
when I sell a T-Mobile branded phone to 2nd hand seller, they always say T-Mobile branded phones have lowest quality
when everybody talks about customer base, T-Mobile USA deserves the lowest!
why?

-----end of rant-----

I wanted to ask this for years, I'll get in big trouble if I ask it in hofo

[kinjutsu11]

when it comes to phone selection, T-Mobile is likely the worst (though it's better now)
when it comes to reception, most of non or ex T-Mobile users say it's the worst (though it's improved vastly in past 5 years since 2002)
when it comes to US 3G bands, most of ppls say 850/1900, where THE HELL THE AWS?????
when I sell a T-Mobile branded phone to 2nd hand seller, they always say T-Mobile branded phones have lowest quality
when everybody talks about customer base, T-Mobile USA deserves the lowest!
why?

-----end of rant-----

I wanted to ask this for years, I'll get in big trouble if I ask it in hofo

To the phone selection, I agree, it was quite weak, but T-Mobz has been picking it up this Quarter
To the reception, it got waaay better last year, but for the most part has been excellent quality, people without the pink T just don't know it. It's called Fear of change.
To the US 3G bands, well, that's a US problem not sticking with what Europe has, not T-Mobile, nor ATT
To the branded phone, I don't think they have the lowest quality, but I certainly don't like branding. Verizon cripples features more than any other carrier, and forces manufacturers to use their own proprietary menu system
To the customer base, considering T-Mobile had the fewest mergers/acquisitions, and didn't gobble up any huge names (Sprint->Nextel, ATT->Cingular->ATT, Verizon->a whole gang of regional carriers). Based on growth, and growth alone, T-Mobile is the fastest growing carrier out of the Big4, currently at 27million
ATT - 62 million
Verizon - 60 million
Sprint - 50 million.

T-Mobile has had its hiccups, but I believe they are turning some of their faults around, while keeping their strengths. I think they started '07 ok, but are finishing the year out much stronger.

[Rzrlvr74]

While I agree that the phone selection is limited at times, they do have quality handsets available. As far as customer service, well I've had both Sprint and AT&T prior and they both bit big time. T-Mobile focuses more on the consumer. It's mostly people with limited experience that complain the loudest. It's NOT always about the coolest phone with the most buttons. Sprint had some great handset options that came with a bill that could choke a horse. AT&T treated me like the red-headed step-child. Who needs that? I say expand the product line a little, improve the technology and keep the customers happy and there's a succsessful combo. Gizmos and gimmicks are short term, overall value and satisfaction provide staying power. ;)

[greenblood]

the voice quality of T-Mobile 2G is top-notch, believe me or not
currently I use Peoples in Hong Kong, due to unlimited GPRS/EDGE for cheap, and calling to USA without extra charge
but the voice quality is distorted through K790a, and a lot of background hiss
when it is with T-Mobile, voice quality is top-notch, not like listening with audio player though
to push hard on 3G, T-Mobile must bring more 3G handsets, while there's NO AWS-compliant unlocked 3G handsets this time
recommendation, if you play streaming audio on the go, use 2G if bitrate allows, streaming audio over 3G is battery killer, period
T-Mobile also use the advantage to tell customers: we are good as other 3
jdpa customers satisfaction
top-notch voice quality
more affordable plan and service pricing
on the most important: coverage!
Peoples have a big ad that sites were increased 46% after China Mobile acquistion, and the outdoor coverage is 99.99% in Hong Kong/Kowloon/New Territories/outer islands, no joke (though Hong Kong is a small city)

[quint101]

I think that TMobile has a decent selection of phones... CS is top notch as well... the only reason I dont have them on contract is their network. The calls garble inside my apartment or lose service completely... The local coverage is so so when I go a few miles out of town there is no service... and all of the other carriers have native service and/or free roam on other providers.