T-Mobile to launch 3G network without data support
Seriously? Remember that little bit of news we got about T-Mobile’s upcoming 3G network launch in New York? Exciting stuff, save for one small, tiny little detail. According to an internal memo that the carrier is currently circulating, they only plan on flipping the switch on the voice portion of their "next-gen" mobile network. Uh…okay. Here’s the pertinent text from the memo:
"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."
Great. Just great. T-Mobz, we love you, but this is ridiculous. Your 3G coverage is rolling out years after the rest of the competition, and you can’t do us the service of making sure it supports the features that most people are looking for in a high-speed access network? No word on when they plan to turn the good stuff on, but sometime in 2011 is a safe bet.
On May 1, 2008 @ 12:16 am, John J Said:
It has to do with the government sticking their 2 cents in. Trade restrictions probably as well
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 12:22 am, Ben Said:
Seriously T-Mobile??? That may just be a reason to jump ship to AT&T and get a 9000.
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 12:39 am, Luda Said:
There is no such thing as a “voice only,” 3G network for WCDMA services.
WCDMA/UMTS/HSDPA is simaltaneous voice and data.
I’m starting to lose my faith in some of these blog sites since it seems the authors are posting more and more heresay as opposed to facts. Engadget is posting this too. Such a shame.
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 12:54 am, Tyrone D. Said:
i honestly feel sorry for T-Mo users but it’s never too late to jump ship to at&t for the latest phones!
come on over guys…everyones doing it..lol
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 2:08 am, Larry Said:
I’m not sure why this matters? Are people not getting their emails on their curves fast enough?
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 2:34 am, Sasquatch Said:
Hasn’t everybody known this for months? Didn’t anybody wonder why all of the UMTS enabled phones were regular phones and not Data devices? What were you expecting, 3 new data devices that to launch with no warning on May 1st? Does that sound logical?
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 8:31 am, Vision77 Said:
This is getting ridiculous. At least have the common courtesy to give your customers some sort of schedule past phase one. Damn….How long have we been waiting? TMob it’s time to Sh!t or get off of the pot.
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 9:17 am, mingkee Said:
just keep everybody a big headup
3G is active in NYC
and I have both voice and internet
is it enough?
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 9:43 am, Rik Said:
Why does it matter if the launch does not come with data there is not 3G tmobile phone due to launch this month (should not have one till augest) the voice is just a test so stop complaining
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 9:49 am, WOWTMOBSUX Said:
hahahah this is why im moving to att in 3 weeks when my contract is up. TMobile is by far the most oblivious carrier around. people want results now and they are not even providing them slowly. The services are stil non-existant. I love it.
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 9:52 am, Raff Said:
receiving voice calls while tethering…
Why Engadget and BGR report a day before? Is better to report by testing not by gossip… or heresay
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 10:03 am, argonnj Said:
Anyone who uses TMO is an idiot and you’ve just proved it. Coverage and coverage type are the most important reasons TO SWITCH. TMO has the smallest coverage footprint of all of the big 4 carriers in the US. And as of today, still have NO 3G data anywhere. So who’s the idiot?
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 10:22 am, Steven I Said:
Easy everyone, it has been reported by numerous people that indeed voice and DATA are working in NY currently.
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 10:25 am, t325 Said:
argonnj, First of all, where I am, the T-Mobile coverage is great. Never have any dropped calls or other crap I had with AT&T. Second of all, I couldn’t give a damn about 3G, I hardly use data on my phone. Third, it’s already been reported that 3G DATA is up and running in NYC. Now who’s the idiot?
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 10:43 am, Johnny Said:
I’m starting to think BGR is out to sabotage T-Mo’s rep at any cost. How biased can you get favoring AT&T? How on earth can you have JUST VOICE 3G!?!?
Voice and Data 3G are alive and well right now in NYC!!! Don’t believe the heresay, the hype, the BS.
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 10:50 am, mingkee Said:
I don’t understand WHY nobody listens my words?????
currently I use 3G internet, that data is ACTUALLY WORKING!!!
who said it’s “voice only” should give me $1000 a month for 4 years, that I can go to college, as well as to pay my phone bill
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 1:24 pm, Ryan Said:
Hows everyone doing! I currently Live on park avenue in new york. I am using a nokia 6263 with 3G i am proud to say it’s voice and data. so people need to stop.
I made calls it works great. and I logged unto you tube and was able to watch videos with no problem..
it was not the youtube mobile version it was the real http://www.youtube.com
3G IS HERE
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 1:27 pm, Ryan Said:
my friends next to me with his at&t phone.. i was able to download a video quicker than him
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 3:40 pm, James Said:
So what’s the truth here? Does BRG have something against TMo? I’ve been with them since Omnipoint days and I’ve been waiting for 3G for awhile..seems to be misinformation out..where’s the Tmo rep to step in? lol
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 5:28 pm, mingkee Said:
it’s not BGR, it’s engadgetmobile
perhaps DT pissed off by color usage, and wants to revenge any chance it can
yes, 3G is everywhere I go in NYC, the internet is great, though 3G handoff needs to have some more working, the speed is very good, with slingplayer, I can get 300kbps easily, even up to 385kbps
can make/receive calls when slingplayer is active
no more missed calls!
reception is about same as 2G
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 6:11 pm, john j Said:
Anyone who uses TMO is an idiot and you’ve just proved it. Coverage and coverage type are the most important reasons TO SWITCH. TMO has the smallest coverage footprint of all of the big 4 carriers in the US. And as of today, still have NO 3G data anywhere. So who’s the idiot?
Well, for some reason you like paying too much and BAD tech support! T-Mobile has good signal where ever I go and is always adding towers and 3G is starting now, is being rolled out slowly so has fewer problems! If I am an IDIOT you are something that cannot be mentioned. Don’t take it personal, you can’t help IT!
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 6:18 pm, john j Said:
BG you made this a big issue to build your site up but is dragging it down as this is MISINFORMATION!!! No where does it say VOICE ONLY!!! learn to read and stop bashing T-Mobile!!
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 8:54 pm, TmoNews.com Said:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Lay off BoyGenius and Engadget. Internal T-mobile documents stated that customers should be told that 3G will be release as voice only. These documents definitely gave the impression that 3G will be only released as voice only.
TmoNews.com
Permalink | Reply
On May 1, 2008 @ 9:57 pm, Lil' B Said:
LMAO! @ all the AT&T customers and fans, if you love AT&T so much why are you even paying attention to a T-Mobile post? It’s our business and clearly the Voice and Data is working fine. I think the report is basically saying T-Mobile will not have 3g Data as far as like an internet card for laptops for a while but last time I checked the voice and data capabilities of 3g go hand in hand! You AT&T people are just being nosey cause you really wanna be with us! You’re just too broke to pay that termination fee because your bill is too high!
Permalink | Reply
On May 2, 2008 @ 12:46 am, Pevrakriya Said:
This confirms the suspicions that I have felt for sometime, that is Deutsch-Telecom, the parent company in Europe treats its U.S. customers like stepchildren, after all they have 3G support better phones, etc.
Here we have been waiting for at least 2 years for T-Mo to come of age like the other 3 major U.S. carriers, and now we hear that they are only going to roll out voice only? What a bunch of crap!
This reminds me of the Sufi story about a cow who was supposed to have unparalleled milk which the townspeople held up as a paragon of fine virtues, and then in a fit of rage, “he kicks the pail over.” To which the rejoinder follows, “Of what use is a wonderful yield of milk when the cow kicks the pail over!
This is the sad tale of T-Mobile
I’ll be switching to AT&T ASAP
Permalink | Reply