T-Mobile 3G: When?
You know, I’m a fairly patient guy. However, I’m just about at my wit’s end with the constant delays in T-Mobile rolling out 3G data services. I use mobile data services, and really need to have a faster connection than the ~150kbps that my current T-Mobile EDGE service allows.
Sure, I’ve got the plan that includes all their WiFi Hostspots, which is nice, but trying to use EDGE when in motion gets a bit old. Quickly. The only “nice” thing I can say about it right now is that it’s reasonably “cheap” compared to the pricing all-you-can-eat data plans from AT&T and Verizon (sorry – Sprint doesn’t count in my book).
The shitty thing is that I like the phone service and the company. Customer service has been great. Coverage for me in my area has been great. Coverage for me when traveling has been great. Other customers may have had a different experience, but overall, I’ve been very satisfied with T-Mobile – even with EDGE.
However, now that it’s 2008, and knowing that the spectrum they licensed in 2005 has yet to be opened to their customers in two years, I’m growing tired. Yet, it’s not all T-Mobile’s fault. The biggest problem for T-Mobile and their customers is that the spectrum they licensed is still in use by government agencies in many cases. And there may be up to 4 years in some cases before that spectrum is vacated by these agencies. They’ve been slow to roll out 3G, sure, mainly because they know that value and service is what’s going to win them customers. If they could’ve been the first horse out of the gate 3-4 years ago with 3G, they could’ve been the speed/tech leader. But, instead, they’ve become the value leader. Yeah, that “you get what you pay for” phrase does come to mind.
So, what should I do? Wait for the 3G service to launch, or skip on over to AT&T or Verizon and pay at least double for the unlimited data I have today? The other part is nearly all of my family, and a number of friends, are on T-Mobile making efficient use of my unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes and allows me to have a lower-minute (lower cost) plan.
Frustrated.
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Comments
Comment by PREECH aka An'tre Hey Rick Mahn my man. I hear ya brother. I feel the exact same way that u do. The good thing is when T-Mobile switches to the 3G network they will be switching all of america. Not just one at a time like AT&T. My friend (The R-Child) switched to AT&T to get 3G service. Come to find out later that they dont offer 3G in a certain part of V.A. Those AT&T basturd’s. I got some great news. T-Mobile will be releasing the new #G phone this year. With “3G Video Confrenecing”….oh yeah. That means u see the people u are talking to like they did on the MDA Pro/MDA IV in the UK. (In the UK T-Mobile already has 3G UMTS & Video Confrencing Services) T-Mobile US will be gettin the exact same UMTS 3G services as in UK. Though my investigations, I have found out the T-Mobile US will be gettin 3G up as soon as Febuary. I estimate between Febuary – June. The new T-Mobile MDA-ish 
lookin phone will be the “HTC Kasier” it has already been sellin under T-Mobile in europe for $600. This will be the 1st phone to have 2 cameras on it like the MDA Pro/MDA IV. The HTC Kaiser has a regular camera on back and a smaller camera on front to view your picture for 3G video confrencing, so the other person can see you. U can check out this phone on EBAY UK right now or buy it right now before it hits american stores. It will support the same 3G Telephony Video Confrencing. NOTE !!: The HTC Kaiser is being sold by AT&T right now under another name called the “AT&T Tilt”….DO NOT GET THIS PHONE I REPEAT DO NOT GET THIS PHONE. THis phone is cheaper and is not the same HTC Kasier. WHY??? ….it has only one regular camera & thats why it is cheaper in price. There is no 2nd camera on the top left corner on the AT&T for 3G Telephony Video Confrencing. I dont know if AT&T will have video confrencing or not but that phone does not support that. When T-Mobile puts up there 3G UMTS networks which are already being tested in NEWYORK, NEW JERSEY, Cali , and WASHINGTON state; it will support 3G Video Confrencing ….All Day In The Paint baby…..OH Yeah. I have been dyin to share this info. I couldnt think of a better place than right here on Rick The Mahn .com. Thanks Rick and P.S. T-Mobile does have one 3G phone availiable right now if u wanna get it but it will only make use of the super fast 3G UMTS Internet and NOT the 3G Telephony Video Confrencing because it dosent have dual cameras on front and back. I personally have the MDA Pro/MDA IV which is one of the only phones with 3G Video Confrenecing and I luv it. When I got to UK i can see who im talkin too. It really is the future. U feel your on Star Track. To See for yourself go to YouTube & type in “MDA Pro” one of the videos that pull up should show Live UK 3G Video Confrencing or click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0FHtG9BZmo
Everyone Enjoy
P.S.S. If any one wants to see the New 3G Telephony Video Phone called the “T-Mobile Kasier” aka HTC TyTN II aka MDA Vario III (UK Name) coming to US soon. Just Click the following link at the bottom. Ebay is selling it for 300 pounds but if u buy it in US the exchnage rate wil convert to $600 Dollars. Yeah I know thats Wild.
Peace PREECH…..
Comment by John My poor MDA is about to fall apart and I’m not going to pay $200 for the same phone in a different color, the Wing. I’ve managed to get good life out of it, thanks to the wonderful people at xda-developers.com with all the custom ROMs out there which has helped out with the usability of the phone. The prices of the 8525s have come down quite a bit and it would make a good substitute for the Wing until T-Mo introduces their new line of phones. Hopefully the MDA will keep it together until then.
Comment by PREECH aka An'tre Yeah I here ya man. I too had the MDA (original) and I went to xda-developers.com to upgrade my roms, which was cool but if your lookin for a really cool phone which is the better succesor of the MDA not just the exact same phone. The HTC Kaiser is what u want. Much More memory, better key pad. Better internet. Fast Speed, Bigger Space wit (8GB SDHC) and dual cameras for 3G Telephony Video Confrencing or u can get the HTC Kasier on Ebay.com for 300 Pounds (600 Dollars)
Peace
Comment by Rick Mahn Hi guys, I’m hoping that the 3G rollout starts in this 1st qtr. of 2008. The HTC TyTN II would be a great phone, but I’ve recently started to notice the HTC Touch Cruise as well. This may be a nifty device worth picking up ahead of time… ah, one can wish anyway eh?
Regards,
Rick
Comment by boof does anyone know if t-mobile will stop resizing the images and videos contained in mms messages once the flip the 3g switch. I just switched over from at&t and this is the only thing that truly makes me want to switch back.
Comment by denny I’m tired of waiting too, but don’t worry, the 3G network t-mobile promised us is finally coming this summer; and T-Mobile CEO Hamid Akhavan boasted that T-Mobile’s long-awaited 3G network would be the “best 3G network” in the US.
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9870059-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave
Comment by Charles 3G will be coming soon. I have noticed them putting up new antennas here in Houston. Not only that but when they launch it will be 7.2MBPS HSDPA and not the 3.6 flavor. I feel the same exact way as the author of this piece, its very fustrating. Not only that but its even more fustrating that they are completely silent about it. I mean even AT&T came out and said that they where going to have XX number of markets in 3G by the end of 2008. Tmobile couldnt come out and say what their Tier 1 launch markets were gonna be? Tmobile get your head out of your ***, you’ve got a good thing here in the US, people love your CS and service, many people are very loyal to your service, take 3G and data seriously and give everyone an alternative for 3G UMTS in this country and you will benefit!
Comment by Frederick Asher The T-Mobile 3g network will use different frequencies from those used by AT&T or those used in Europe and Asia, so one should be cautious about purchasing a 3g phone from eBay or any other source.
Comment by PREECH aka An'tre I heard that T-Mobile will use a diiferent type of the exact same UMTS 3G servive that T-Mobile Uses in U.K. I have a Universal with Picture in and Out telephoney for 3G. So I pray thats the case. Anyway by the time #G comes out i have a big feeling that there will be windows 7 out & a host of new phones. Cuz the windows mobile 7 is based on touch screen and touch everything. Times are changin faster and faster.
Comment by Rick Mahn An’tre – I believe that they’ll launch 3G in the US this year, but it’s a good question what phones they’ll have. Since T-MoUSA will be running 1700MHz UMTS/HSDPA, there are only a handful of announced phones that currently support this band.
Not sure when WM7 will be out – I’ve not heard rumors at this point.
Comment by John Dale Just found this…
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9870059-1.html
Saying 3G by summer. Considering it’s April, that means just a few more months. I’m not holding my breath.
John
Comment by 
Comment by d Value leader…value is getting something better…not worse. I hate having a 56k modem in my pocket when all my friends have broadband. Oh, and the T-Mobile customer service is complete crap. I’m unsatisfied with with their polices and employees, contract loopholes and all that jazz.
Comment by Rick Mahn Well d, they do have 3G now – and about three 3G phones to leverage that high-speed wireless. I’d take a closer look at what’s available. Too bad your experience with their customer service hasn’t been good. I’ve had great experiences with them and still highly recommend T-Mobile every time.
Comment by Nate Why are u guys waiting. Sprint doesn’t count?? Are you kidding me!! There already rolling out 4G. Verizon and ATT havent even begun to yet. Sprint is very underated and will bite all the other companies in the arse.
Comment by Nate Oh and by the way. Google, Intel, and most cable companies have already invested in Sprints 4G. Watch out ATT and especially verizon. You might need to stop spending your cash on flashy commercials and start spending it on your network. You need it. Stop BS’ing your customers.
Comment by Rick Mahn Hi Nate, glad you stopped by. For some folks, Sprint may be an alternative. For me… not so much. Hope you enjoy their service.
Cheers!
I’m with you on this. Tired of waiting.