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T-Mobile 3G Launches Today, But Voice Only?
Product launch comes with a tiny little caveat....

Yesterday 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):
quote:
"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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one_bored_si
join:2003-03-10
Montebello, CA

one_bored_si

Member

Slow out of the gate.


DevlishHusky
join:2004-06-07
New Milford, NJ

DevlishHusky

Member

Re: Slow out of the gate.

^ second! xD

cmc0
join:2001-08-03
Bowie, MD

cmc0

Member

data may be live as well

I've heard from tests people have done today in fact data has actually launched as well as voice in NYC.

like herE:
»www.howardforums.com/sho ··· =1364669

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: data may be live as well

said by cmc0:

I've heard from tests people have done today in fact data has actually launched as well as voice in NYC.

like herE:
»www.howardforums.com/sho ··· =1364669
Yes. Endgadget doesn't always get everything right. Their news item was based on an unattributed leaked memo.

adisor19
join:2004-10-11

adisor19

Member

Saddest launch in a while !

Wow T-Mobile ! Maybe you should have spent less on protecting the colour Magenta and more on investing in your network upgrade.

Adi
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Oh well

No one provides 3G in my area anyways. Why should they be any different.
CSU
join:2002-10-21
Lagrange, GA

CSU

Member

T-Mobile....

T-Mobile, what can I say about them? Well, I have been a user since they were PowerTel, Voicestream, and now T-Mobile. What are my plans when my contract ends within the next few months? Jump ship to another provider is the plan. T-Mobile sucked us in on every renewal that they were "expanding" their network in our area, but never did. Poor coverage and false promises are the only things negative I have to say.
floydb1982
join:2004-08-25
Kent, WA

floydb1982

Member

T-Mobile should be expanding the limited cell coverage

T-Mobile need to put up more cell towers to expand there cell coverage. What good is is GS to T-Mobile if there coverage is to be so limited.
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

i was right

Again, my suspicions were correct, carriers using 3G to relive severe congestion and add capacity, not increase any speeds.