T-Mobile expands 4G network, sort of offers 4G iPhone

If you're desperate to stay with T-Mobile's service and rock an iPhone, the nation's fourth-largest carrier has good tidings on both fronts.

Today, T-Mobile unveiled plans to expand its 1,900MHz band in 14 new markets, bringing its grand total to 37 cities covered by the faster network.

In addition, the carrier announced a partnership with Solavei, a no-contract carrier that resells T-Mobile's service -- and the iPhone. Customers who sign up with Solavei in any of T-Mobile's 4G markets will be able to purchase the iPhone and sign onto an unlimited talk, text, and data plan for a monthly $49 rate.

You'll also be able to migrate an existing AT&T iPhone to Solavei, and therefore, in a roundabout way, to T-Mobile's network. T-Mobile is also encouraging AT&T customers to bring their unlocked phone from the rival provider into T-Mobile's fold.

The stance is a more aggressive move by T-Mobile to gain or keep customers while preparing to deploy 4G LTE.

T-Mobile's 4G regions include: New York City, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Tampa, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, Central and Southern Arizona, the San Francisco Bay Area, California's Central Valley, and South Florida.