T-Mobile's iPhone test drive program already has 12,000 signups

T-Mobile’s gamble to let people try out iPhones free on its network is paying off.

On Tuesday night, T-Mobile held a big press event in Seattle, Wash., where it announced a whole bunch of new stuff, including a seven-day “test drive” for its carrier service with an iPhone 5s.

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And apparently, more than 12,000 people have already signed up, according to a tweet this morning from John Legere, T-Mobile’s chief executive.

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@Colin_Sebastian More than 12k have already signed up!

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) June 20, 2014

The program is set to start on Monday, according to Legere’s announcement on Tuesday night. The company said that it expects more than a million signups during the program’s first year.

With the program, you can borrow an iPhone 5s for seven days, with unlimited text messaging, data, and calls as long as it’s used inside the U.S. If borrowers return the phone damaged, they will be charged a $100 fee.

To drum up some extra buzz and excitement around the program, T-Mobile also launched its “Seven Night Stand” challenge, a campaign in which participants can tweet about their test drive for the change of winning prizes.  “The more you confess, the better your chances of winning prizes,” the company said during its press event.

Apple is providing T-Mobile with free devices for the program.

T-Mobile and Sprint have been in talks to merge, and are working to make the announcement in August.

 

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