"As the marketplace continues to change toward smartphone functionality, that's where the pressure is for T-Mobile," Kagan said.

Even so, T-Mobile introduced hot new smartphones, including the , in late 2008, and Motorola's first Android phone, .

Early this year, with service provided by T-Mobile. With the hyped launch, however, the spotlight was on , HTC and the fact it was being sold unlocked, which left T-Mobile Uas an "afterthought," Stofega said.

Stofega said that T-Mobile has also walled itself in because its has no true wireless business or a wired subscriber base to fall back upon as their larger competitors have had.

In June 2008, T-Mobile introduced landline-like services with its @Home VoIP service, which for $10-15 a month provides customers with unlimited domestic calling. The company said last month that service would no longer be available for new customers but that current customers would not be cut off.