Comments on: T-Mobile 3G news of the day: New England and Phoenix coming this week

By: Joel Reyes

Joel Reyes — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:53:25 +0000

I just bought the BOLD and i unlock it through freeyourphone.com for 15 bucks. It works like a charm. The only problem is that due to the… t-mobile network lack in the infrastructure department their network does not support the GPS technology in the bold. Which sucks! But otherwise it works great.

By: Cesar

Cesar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:08:15 +0000

It’s not on in Phoenix yet

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:30:21 +0000

3G is on in Phoenix as of this morning!

By: Truman

Truman — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:44:04 +0000

Am i the only one whos text messages are at best 90% delivered on tmo?? And ROUTINELY delayed messages? Is it my account? Or is it Tmo? And I have a Bold 9000 that CANT get BIS on Tmo. Is that just the way it is? anyone? bueler? please?

By: dtmpower

dtmpower — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:35:46 +0000

Thank you for clarifying that up

By: Maciek

Maciek — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:42:05 +0000

@dtmpower – this is absolutely true. I also would like to point out that at&t is the major reason for 3G fragmentation. Instead of waiting patiently for an available frequency, they wanted to run and and be the first in the GSM 3G game so they shoved 3G on at that time non-existent 3G frequency (850/1900). What did they gain by it…a network that’s so badly crippled and colliding with its current 2G running on the same frequency that they have class action suits piling up (iPhone loosing 3G signal all the time). I was playing with my friend’s Nokia N75 this past summer. I could not believe how bad it was jumping between EDGE and 3G. Luckily not many countries in the North and South American region followed this path and some chose to go with the Euro 3G (2100) while some support both. GSMA (GSM Americas) months ago praised the fact that 1700 WCDMA evolved and that it will be a better standard than at&t’s flavor. Look what’s happening up North in Canada… They just had their AWS auction and so did a few other countries in South and Central America. They all selected 1700 Mhz frequency for their 3G so I’d say in about six to twelve months we’ll be seeing more phones supporting the “American” 3G (probably 850/1900+1700) – my bet is that these will be “lower shelf” models as well as upper shelf ones with All three or at least American and Euro frequencies.

By: Chuong

Chuong — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:07:50 +0000

No it works as a modem. I tested it both way (USB cable & BT). You need to change the dial-up numbers (*99***4# for Total Internet or *99***2# for T-Zones) if you are using the current APN’s (wap.voicestream.com or internet2.voicestream.com).

By: Jeremiah

Jeremiah — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:03:10 +0000

Isn’t T-Mobile getting the Bold?? I don’t care if it doesn’t have 3G over AWS 1700, as I live out in the boonies, but GIVE ME A BOLD, PLEASE!

By: Galvatron

Galvatron — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:04:34 +0000

BOUT FRACKING TIME! now if only rim would mak a bold model that runs on their 1700 mhz spectrum

By: RockTripod

RockTripod — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:35:31 +0000

@Chuong: Yup, that would be the ideal way to do it. However, T-Mo saw fit to make the device not work as a modem. Apparently, aside from the fact that it can’t be done as is, a pending software update will entirely remove the modem options on the phone. I guess when the phone launched early in the 3G markets, you could. then T-Mo in their infinite wisdom dropped the banhammer on tethering. Our first decent 3G phone!! Wth??
At any rate, using a very simple speed test through the default t-zones browser, it pulled 2 MBs per second. Still very solid.

By: Chuong

Chuong — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:23:15 +0000

@ RockTripod

You should tether (using your TM506) with a computer/laptop (USB cable prefer or BT) and run a speed test via http://www.speedtest.net.

By: RockTripod

RockTripod — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:19:15 +0000

Yeah, you’re right about that speed test through Opera. My curve apparently averages over 5000kbps over edge. Right….I’ll try it your way and post the results.

By: dtmpower

dtmpower — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:15:58 +0000

I came across this article…anyone care to comment on this???

“But before you start fantasizing about unlocking that iPhone 3G, Nokia E71 or Blackberry Bold, I forgot to mention its not compatible with other 3G networks. That’s right, you heard me.

Yep, since T-Mobile had to buy that unused 1700mhz spectrum from the FCC to make 3G happen, it will be working on frequencies completely different from AT&T, which in turn are completely different from GSM elsewhere in the world.
Anyone who’s ever bought unlocked phones is already familiar with the difference between Europe’s 3G UMTS vs. United States versions of the phones.

But now, you’ll also need to consider special T-Mobile USA edition phones if you want 3G. There are 3 primary versions of GSM 3G: UMTS 3G for the rest of the world, and 850/1900 AT&T or 1700Mhz T-Mobile USA. This is going to make handset purchases very difficult, and further complicated one of the greatest benefits of GSM: compatible portability.”

By: xnifex

xnifex — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:12:43 +0000

Now if only my unlocked Tilt had the AWS 3G band like everyone originally thought it would. Yay for 3G in Phx tho.

@ RockTripod: if memory serves me correctly, you shouldn’t do a speed test through Opera Mini because it goes through Opera’s servers. You need to use pIE. I may be wrong tho.

By: kachra

kachra — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:07:21 +0000

wow phoenix. i am a happy man!! wish i had a 3G handset

By: Marv

Marv — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:14:28 +0000

I love T-Mobile and my BB. But, since it appears T-Mobile will not be getting the Bold, what is a travelling road warrior to do? I was looking forward to some abilities and really do not want to go to the dreaded “Iphone”. Is it possible to purchase an unlocked Bold when they come out here in Phoenix and take it over to T-mobile?
Any news on the Garmin Nuvi phone? I probably have about 2 more International trips in my current BB and then I have to get something. Any words of wisdom or sage advice?

By: Paul S

Paul S — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:11:31 +0000

Tmobile’s coverage in RI is excellent. I’ve had it for 5 years and have never had a problem. I don’t know where you are getting your info from.

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:02:23 +0000

Trying to weed past some of the ignorant comments..

I’m sure T-Mobile sucks in certain areas, but this isn’t what the thread is about. All carriers suck in some areas.

I know from personal experience that Phoenix is rock solid in the coverage dept with T-Mobile on 2G and I expect 3G to be no different. T-Mobile won’t have to deal with the tight spectrum squeezing on their current 2G band and can instead have fresh unused new spectrum to use on the AWS band.

I’m looking forward to seeing 3G here in LA by the 17th of this month too.

By: RockTripod

RockTripod — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:59:56 +0000

Here in Central MA, I’ve got a Sony Ericsson that finished a speed test with 6464kbps through Opera Mini!! Holy hell!!

By: Sol

Sol — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:55:59 +0000

T-Mobiles Service has more wrinkles then John McCain’s neck, so I hope there 3g is worth waiting for

By: joseph young

joseph young — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:45:20 +0000

Does anyone w/ a 3G phone in the active t-mo sites have any speed tests?

By: Mockerfab4

Mockerfab4 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:28:50 +0000

Woo Hoo! Phoenix getting some love. Now when’s Android coming. I can’t wait!!!

By: Konklifer

Konklifer — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:18:48 +0000

T-Mob’s coverage in 2/3 of Mass. and RI is awful to non-existent. And they’re going to roll out 3G? Yeah, right.

By: Jeff Johnson

Jeff Johnson — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:10:26 +0000

Sorry, no help here. We,So. Cal, don’t feel the love yet! Hopefully later this month???? I hope it is soon, then I will go get a new phone. My BB 8100 sucks!