iPhone 5 on T-Mobile's Network? Analyst Says 'iPhone' Coming Next Week

According to a Fortune report, T-Mobile USA may get the iPhone as early as next week. The carrier is the only one of the four major ones to not carry Apple's flagship devices.

According to the report, "Merrill Lynch's Scott Craig is out with a note reporting that 'speculation is heightening' that Deutsche Telecom will announce a deal to bring the iPhone to its U.S. subsidiary at next week's analysts day on Dec. 6 and 7."

Last week, Jim Alling, COO of T-Mobile USA, denied the rumors that the carrier will have the iPhone.

"Make no mistake about it: We would love to carry the iPhone," Alling said. "However, we want the economies to be right for us."

Craig said if T-Mobile does indeed carry the iPhone, it would "give Apple access to 98 percent of the U.S. post-paid market and 75 percent of the country's total mobile subscribers."

T-Mobile stores are already receiving NanoSIM cards used in conjunction with the iPhone 5.

T-Mobile said customers who bring an unlocked iPhone to any of its stores will get an unlimited data package and can save up to $50 per month compared to AT&T. The savings are based on comparison of T-Mobile $69.99/mo Unlimited Talk, Text and Data plan against AT&T Unlimited Talk, Text, and 5GB Smartphone Data plan.

On Sept. 5, T-Mobile became the only carrier with a nationwide 4G network to offer unlimited nationwide 4G data.

"We're big believers in customer-driven innovation, and our Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan is the answer to customers who are frustrated by the cost, complexity and congested networks of our competitors," said Kevin McLaughlin, vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. "Consumers want the freedom of unlimited 4G data. Our bold move to be the only wireless carrier to offer an Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan reinforces our value leadership and capitalizes on the strength of our nationwide 4G network."