AT&T and unlocked devices have access to T-Mobile 4G in 5 new markets (CA being a big one)

Excuse me while I do my happy dance for a second (queue Flashdance dance sequence). Great news for those who love T-Mobile’s low monthly rates, but wish unlocked phones from AT&T or other parts of the world worked on their network. Tonight, T-Mobile has officially flipped the 4G switch on for their 1900MHz network in 5 new markets around the US — my home area of southern California being one of them. Here’s the other 4 markets lit up as well:

• Chicago, including the surrounding areas of: Aurora, Berwyn, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Naperville, Oak Park, Schaumburg, Wilmette and Winnetka.

• Reno, Nev.

• Sacramento, Calif., including the surrounding areas of: Antelope, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Loomis, North Highlands, Rancho Cordova, Rio Linda, Rocklin, Roseville, Vacaville and West Sacramento.

• Fresno, Calif.

• Southern Calif., including: Alhambra, Anaheim, Claremont, Culver City, El Monte, Encino, Garden Grove, Granada Hills, Inglewood, Irvine, La Crescenta, Laguna Niguel, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Newport Beach, North Hills, North Hollywood, Paramount, Pasadena, Redlands, Reseda, Rosemead, Santa Ana, San Fernando, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, South El Monte, Temple City, Torrance, Upland, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Westminster and Wilmington.

What does this mean to you? Well, where normally AT&T and unlocked devices from other parts of the world would only get 2G speeds on T-Mobile, suddenly find themselves capable of 4G speeds. Found a good deal on an unlocked quad-core Samsung Galaxy S3? Activate it on T-Mobile. Have an HTC One X+ but hate paying up the wazoo for AT&T service? Activate it on T-Mobile.
And for those keeping count, T-Mobile now covers 100 million people in the US with their enhanced 4G HSPA+ network, making the #4 largest carrier in the US a viable option for those feeling like they’re paying too much on AT&T. As for me, I’ll be picking up Verizon’s HTC Droid DNA and loading it up with my T-Mobile SIM for super quick HSPA+ data speeds at half the monthly rate. Woot!