Deutsche Telekom aims to make the 5G smartphones available in Germany in early 2023
German carrier Deutsche Telekom said it aims to launch its own 5G smartphones across its European footprint with the aim of increasing the consumer access to 5G.
The T Phone 5G smartphone was produced in collaboration with Google and is expected to be commercially available on October 5 in Austria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Hungary; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Poland; Romania and Slovakia.
Deutsche Telekom said it plans to make the 5G smartphones available in Germany in early 2023.
The new devices were developed based upon the expertise and economies of scale created by T-Mobile US’s own brand “REVVL” line of smartphones, the European telco said.
“At a time when the high price of 5G smartphones is a barrier for many to access fast connected technology, the launch of T Phone and T Phone Pro is an important step in narrowing the digital divide,” it added in a statement.
In terms of specs, the standard T Phone has a 6.52-inch display, 4500mAh battery, octacore Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, triple rear cameras with a 50MP main unit and a 5MP front camera.
Meanwhile, the T Phone Pro offers a 6.82-inch screen and 5000mAh battery and it uses the same chipset, but it has an extra main camera and an upgraded front module.
Both 5G devices run the Android 12 operating system.
The standard handset will be priced at 199 euros ($195) with the Pro device at 249 euros. Deutsche Telekom also said that it will offer “attractive” tariff bundles starting at 1 euro per month.
“We acknowledge the importance of 5G access for all, given the role it will play in our shared digital future. With the affordable and feature-packed T Phone and T Phone Pro, we are bringing the benefits of 5G into even more of our customers’ pockets in nine European markets. With these new devices, our customers can enjoy the possibilities of our ever-expanding 5G network, ranging from entertainment to countless digital products and services – at a very accessible price,” said Dominique Leroy, board member for Europe at Deutsche Telekom.
Deutsche Telekom recently highlighted that 92% of households can already access the carrier’s 5G network, while LTE coverage reaches 99% of the German population.
Deutsche Telekom also said that it is currently using 3.6 GHz frequencies for the provision of 5G services in more than 2,000 locations across Germany.
In June, Deutsche Telekom announced it was for the first time using spectrum in the 700 MHz range to provide 5G service. The European operator said that the use of the 700 MHz band improve mobile communications coverage in rural areas across Germany.
The telco added that more than 3,000 antennas in about 1,100 locations are transmitting 5G via 700 MHz frequencies.
