This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
San Francisco • T-Mobile will sell a wide range of smartphones that tap into Wi-Fi networks to make phone calls and send texts when customers can't connect to the wireless carrier's cellular network.
The program announced Wednesday represents T-Mobile's latest attempt to lure wireless subscribers away from three larger rivals, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Corp. and Sprint Corp.
T-Mobile is trying to exploit the hoopla surrounding the Sept. 19 release of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 6 with its new twist on Wi-Fi connections. The iPhone 6's latest options include the ability to begin a call on a Wi-Fi network and then automatically transfer the conversation to a cellular network without interruption when the device is on the move. T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier offering this versatility on the iPhone 6.