T-Mobile USA hits the gas on its 3G rollout
Carrier aims for 27 markets by the end of the year
September 18 2008 - 12:59 pm ET | Allie Winter | RCR Wireless News
T-Mobile USA Inc. said it’s adding seven cities to its list of 3G markets in the next few weeks. And the industry’s No. 4 player said it plans to offer its UMTS/HSDPA-based service, which uses its recently acquired AWS spectrum, in 27 markets by the end of the year.
The new markets set to receive 3G coverage by the end of October include Atlanta; Chicago; Los Angeles; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif.; and Seattle. The carrier expects further expansion into Birmingham, Ala.; Denver; Detroit; Kansas City; Memphis, Tenn.; and Tampa, Fla., by the end of the year. The service is currently available in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Boston; Las Vegas; Miami; Minneapolis; New York; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; and San Diego.
The announcement comes just before the carrier’s expected preview of its forthcoming Android phone. According to the Wall Street Journal, the phone will feature Google Inc.’s logo and operating system, will be dubbed the “Dream,” and will sell for $200.
The expansion of T-Mobile USA’s 3G network is an important competitive move for the carrier as its larger rivals all currently offer high-speed wireless services across most major markets.
September 29, 2008 08:35 pm
Dave, you seem to have developed a major complex with T-Mobile. You come off sounding like an EX-Employee. You need to understand that not all business models are the same and 1st to finish doesn't exactly win the race. T-Mobile places emphasis on the customer in all facets. Top billing goes to the support of customer base. Everyone will without a doubt love the added value that T-Mobile 3G will bring. And it WILL work. You can expect solutions to problems on a timely basis instead of 2yrs from now. And yes, 4G/WIMAX is coming and planning is in place. T-Mobile is testing out the new technologies just like all the other carriers. Try to feel the love sometime man. Life’s too short to maintain such a bitter and condescending attitude. Signed, Phil(Proud current T-Mobile employee)
September 24, 2008 10:50 pm
Tmobile can only go up from here. Always have had the best phones, now coming up on the best service.
September 22, 2008 06:26 am
$30 bucks a month compared to $60 month is a huge difference when you are talking about high speed data. T-Mobile is the value leader and they will offer high speed data and great call quality at a lower price, and be able to make decent margins.
September 20, 2008 05:59 am
I am well aware they are both digital, I worked for attws for 5yrs and when they first rolled out GSM from the old TDMA. Granted GSM is used widley, lesser to maintain and establish compared to a CDMA network. Reason why people get allot of dropped calls on GSM is that they have hard hand offs between towers and not soft hand offs like CDMA. Hence you may get allot of drop offs when traveling with there services. I hope T-Mobile gets it working and not have the same srvc like ATTWS.the frequencies used by a CDMA carrier has better penetration within buildings and also went into the mountains in PA, everyone in are group had all majory carries and only 1 worked everyone else searching for service.
September 20, 2008 05:59 am
TMO is implementing UMTS bandwith mainly to substitute older GSM 2/2.5 cell infrastructure. over the past 2-3 years it turned out in europe that UMTS doesn't sell as broadband service. consequently TMO changed its innovation strategy (already in 2006) for cost-driven substitution of GMS infrastructures. UMTS has a by 32% reduced net operational cost compared to GSM BTS's (caused by the fact of higher call volume characteristics).
September 19, 2008 06:06 am
Either way the aws is digital. T-mo is gsm so not all phones will work on the new network. As far as the broadband, Cricket already has thier broadband and phone services on the AWS. On a world's stand point DT is great but T-mo USA will never lead this industry. Sorry T-mo you finish last AGAIN.
September 19, 2008 06:06 am
TM Guy...I don't think you are up to date on your data plans. T-Mobile's Data Plans are the best priced and value on the market. Do some research big guy.
September 19, 2008 06:06 am
It is interesting that "Dave" seems to believe that the World standard technology GSM is not digital. GSM is digital and used in over 80% of the world. Both AM and FM are analog radio technologies so his analogy of GSM being AM and CDMA as FM is also way off. One of the reasons that ATT had issues with their roll out of 3G is that they rushed to deploy their UMTS/HSDPA network before all their testing was complete. T-Mobile has taken it time and learned from ATT’s mistakes to make sure the roll out is far less painful and will have far fewer issues than ATT.
September 19, 2008 06:06 am
Everyone needs to realize that T-mobile's network with have the same issues type of reception ATTWS has with its 3G? It will take T-Mobile at least 2yrs to have all the issues ressolved with there data connect and by that time everyone else would surpass them once again with 4G/WIMAX. I look at it this way for security/privacy of a call or cloining GSM is easier to clone than Digital. Your comparing AM radio stations (GSM) to FM (CDMA). Congrats to T-Mobile, it may be to late!
September 19, 2008 06:06 am
Can't wait to have that android phone. I have been with T-Mobile for more than 4 years now and will surely stay for years to come. Im pretty sure they will have better 3G coverage.