T-Mobile 3G Launches Today, But Voice Only?Product launch comes with a tiny little caveat....
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old news - 08:56AM Thursday May 01 2008)
tags: business · wireless · T-Mobile USYesterday
we told you that T-Mobile was getting ready to finally launch their 3G wireless broadband service. The catch? Apparently the initial launch of the wireless broadband network won't allow anyone to
actually use the wireless broadband network. That's right, the initial launch, which begins in NYC today, will be
voice only. From the pertinent memo about the "launch" (we use that term loosely):
"3G is the next generation of our wireless network, following our current GSM network. In this early phase of our network evolution, 3G is a new technology for carrying wireless voice calls and supporting existing data capabilities on our network. In future phases, this next generation network will power 'high-speed' (3G) products and services that connect customers in new and exciting ways. ... Inform customers who are interested in high-speed data that the first phase of our 3G roll out supports voice only."
The company has spent $4.2 billion last year for 120 1700Mhz licenses in order to offer UMTS/HSDPA, but customers will apparently have to wait a little longer before T-Mobile joins the modern age.
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Saddest launch in a while !
T-Mobile should be expanding the limited cell coverage