T-Mobile's Project Black To Shake Up IndustryT-Mobile's Project Black To Shake Up Industry

There have been a number of rumors on T-Mobile's "Project Black" the last few days, and while nothing has been confirmed, some of the veil has been pulled back on the details of what is going on. Could an iPhone from the carrier with a $50 per month all-in plan with 4G speeds be forthcoming? And by $50 all-in plan, I mean one that includes voice, text and data.The Technology for the Soul blog (TFTS) has been tracking this rumor and claims to have multiple different sources that all point to the same thing.

First up is the $50 all-in plan. TFTS refers to this as the Cricket Killer. Cricket is a smaller carrier that specializes in low cost phones and has a $30 unlimited minute plan. The catch is it is generally local calls, not nationwide. For $60 however, Cricket has an unlimited talk plan with nationwide minutes, unlimited mobile web browsing, texting and 200 minutes of roaming on another carrier's network. I can see why the $50 plan from T-Mo would put the hurt on Cricket. You get bargain basement prices on the fourth largest network in the US. Not only would this hurt Cricket, but would also put a dent in AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. Similar plans on their networks would be well over $100.

Here is where it gets interesting though. TFTS claims that the iPhone would be available on T-Mo's network by next week - October 25, and at 4G speeds no less. This one I have trouble swallowing since the AT&T exclusivity agreement on US distribution is thought to run until 2010. I've also not heard rumors of a 4G iPhone from anywhere else.

We'll have to wait and see what other details are forthcoming this week. If you are planning to buy an iPhone though, I'd wait a few days before doing so if this is even the least bit interesting to you. You could save a bundle over the course of a two year contract. Or, you could just be delaying your purchase from AT&T by a week should the rumors evaporate.

If the iPhone isn't on your radar, these prices, if true, could be enough to push you to the T-Mobile network for your next purchase.