4G: Could T-Mobile be primed to jump ahead on 4G?
It's no secret that T-Mobile's way behind when it comes to mobile data services. Everyone else browses the Web from their phones over speedy EV-DO and HSDPA connections while we TMob subscribers (yep, I pay their bill every month) are stuck with EDGE. To be fair, T-Mobile leads the way when it comes to cheap minutes and cellular/WiFi integration, but they've really got to get it going in the mobile data space.
According to Unstrung, they may be poised to do just that when it comes to 4G next-generation data speeds. Even though TMob still hasn't rolled out their 3G network (coming this Summer ... they swear it!), some industry types think that T-Mobile's acquisition of a healthy chunk of AWS spectrum in 2006 means that they're in good shape to make a quick leap from UMTS (3G) to LTE (4G). Quick by cellular industry standards, anyway.
What's that all mean in lay terms? 3G speeds are fast for handheld devices but not quite on par with what we're used to from DSL, Cable, and T1 lines on our desktop and laptop computers. 4G speeds should be much closer to true "mobile broadband," opening the door to all kinds of always-connected services including VoIP internet phone calls and Web access from smartphones and laptops at WiFi-like speeds, but without the need to hunt for an open WiFi network.
Sprint's much hyped Xohm network will use WiMax to offer 4G services. We're all still hoping for a nationwide Xohm rollout beginning this summer, but nothing's really been confirmed on that front just yet. Verizon and AT&T have stated that they'll be using LTE for 4G services, and are looking at 2010 and 2012, respectively, as launch dates in the U.S. Without getting all technical about it, it looks like T-Mobile's acquisition of AWS spectrum means that they could beat VZW and AT&T to the punch in taking the leap from 3G to 4G. That could be huge for the U.S.' 4th largest provider, who currently thrives on low cost voice plans and solid customer service, but really needs to get into the high speed data game before it's too late.
ROKR you like a Hurricane. Moto's new ROKR E8 features a morphing keypad, touch sensitive nav wheel, and 2MP camera. It's a T-Mobile exclusive. The 5300 was a neat little music phone, but chunky. The new 5310 is sleeker, slimmer, and sexier than the original. 2MP Camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, Stereo Bluetooth, myFaves, and a 1GB microSD card. And it's cheap, too! I headed to NYC to check out T-Mobile's new 3G data network. Doug and I pit the Samsung t819 against AT&T's LG Vu in a Mobile Web speed test. Doug and I run a speed test in Brooklyn: iPhone on EDGE vs Vu on 3G vs t819 on T-Mobile's new 3G network. I spent a week with the newest Pearl, the 8120 for T-Mobile. It's got WiFi, HotSpot@Home, and a 2MP camera. The 8120 also features video recording and a standard headphone jack so the device can be used as a media player. iPhone is great. iPhone unlocked and jailbroken is better. Noah from PhoneDog.com reviews Apple's cell phone as he uses it - running on T-Mobile with a bunch of third party software installed.
CrackBerry got their hands on the forthcoming BlackBerry KickStart 8220 way early and gave it a pretty positive first look. RIM's first BlackBerry flip is kind of a beast, size-wise, but the upside is that the QVGA display is big, bright, and beautiful, and the SureType keypad has giant buttons that are easy to type on.
A choice snippet from the review: "While I think the BlackBerry Pearl is good for both the ladies and gents, one of the ongoing arguments in the forums is the notion... Quick update from the "fighting to keep up with the big boys" front: Word is that the MOTO ZN5 cameraphone is in fact coming to T-Mobile USA and is slated for a Q4 '08 launch. The first by-product of Motorola's partnership with Kodak will sport a 5MP camera, and has garnered some positive first impressions in the UK, as I reported a few weeks back.The ZN5 will also feature integrated Wi-Fi with support for T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home UMA calling service. And there's a fresh new... Q. Hey man, I just wanted to thank you for all your great videos that has helped me alot.That being said I have a question to ask you, DO you know if it has been confirmed about the new sidekick Gekko/Aspen coming out on July? Is there any difference between the Lx to the Gekko/Aspen? And also is there a difference with the new Tony Hawk SK and the LX coming out in mid July? Do you know where I can get a Black Sidekick Lx?
Thank you for all your help!!!!!!!!
A.... yfz450lrd from YouTube asks:
Would you say the dare is better than the iphone and the voyager? Thanks for your time, your reviews are awesome!Noah answers:
Thanks for the email and the kind words - glad you like the reviews.I'm going to do a review comparing Dare to iPhone and Voyager. It's hard to say which is "better" - it comes down to personal preferences and network coverage. Dare and Voyager run on Verizon which in many (not all) areas has better voice and data... T-Mobile's been quietly, slowly rolling out their 3G network following its debut in New York City earlier this Spring. When I say quietly, I mean it: While T-Mo currently sells a few 3G (AWS) capable handsets, they're not even marketing them as such in stores or online.
Yesterday, TmoNews posted a "take this with a bucket of salt" rumor regarding a possible nationwide launch of T-Mo's 3G services this October. Beyond the obvious, this bears mentioning for a few reasons:-... The BONDI initiative is a new platform for secure mobile application development backed by industry giants including 3 Group, AT&T, T-Mobile, Telenor, Telefonica, Telecom Italia and Vodafone. The goal is to create a secure web service interface to be used by web developers across multiple device platforms.
Set up to help web developers create more function-rich, user friendly and relevant applications, the initiative is designed to drive the use of data services on mobile. |
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