Travel Technology - T-mobile (U.S.) and 3G service?

On searching for 3G (1700 and 2100 bands) quadband GSM, I found only 6 phones. But I found 70 3G triband (850, 1900 and 2100). I am wondering if I should switch to AT&T from T-mobile as the choice of phones on T-mobile is so limited. How is T-mobile's 3G service? If you have 1700 and 2100, you can get by everywhere except al of Americas (with the exception of T-mobile), as most opf America uses 850 and 1900 bands for 3G. I seek opinions and advice. Thanks in advance.

Depends what you want to use it for.

T-mobile's 3G coverage is still nascent - nonexistent outside of major cities (and even not all major cities). If you are okay with that, stick with T-mobile. They do tend to be cheaper. If you need wall to wall 3G, go with Sprint or Verizon.

You don't have to use a T-Mobile branded phone. Any GSM phone that supports proper frequencies will work. I have not used a T-Mo branded phone ever.

Are you actually able to get 3G speeds with a non- T-Mobile phone?

T-Mobile uses band IV for their 3G service ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands ) , which as far as I know is only used by T-Mobile and is not supported by regular GSM phones.

Regular unlocked phones work perfectly fine for making calls and using t-mobiles EDGE network, but I don't think they would work for 3G.

You don't have to use a T-Mobile branded phone. Any GSM phone that supports proper frequencies will work. I have not used a T-Mo branded phone ever.

You don't have to use a T-Mobile branded phone. Any GSM phone that supports proper frequencies will work. I have not used a T-Mo branded phone ever.

What makes you think I was looking for T-branded phones? I don't think you know what I am talking about.
There is a totality of three phones that support HSDPA frequencies used by T-mobile, and 10 that support UMTS.

What makes you think I was looking for T-branded phones? I don't think you know what I am talking about.
There is a totality of three phones that support HSDPA frequencies used by T-mobile, and 10 that support UMTS.

Please keep it polite - people are just trying to help.

What makes you think I was looking for T-branded phones? I don't think you know what I am talking about.
There is a totality of three phones that support HSDPA frequencies used by T-mobile, and 10 that support UMTS.

I'm not entirely sure what kind of information you are looking for - yes, T-Mobile only offers a handful of 3G phones and one USB 3G adapter. There are no unbranded GSM phones that support the AWS frequencies. There is no denying that AT&T has more 3G phones AND better unbranded/unlocked support.

That said - T-Mobile will have the HTC Dash and Touch Pro2 very soon, and both of those will be 3G enabled. But even with a 3G phone, the coverage is very limited.

Bottom line - for a variety of phones and good coverage, you'll need to look elsewhere.

On searching for 3G (1700 and 2100 bands) quadband GSM, I found only 6 phones. But I found 70 3G triband (850, 1900 and 2100). I am wondering if I should switch to AT&T from T-mobile as the choice of phones on T-mobile is so limited. How is T-mobile's 3G service? If you have 1700 and 2100, you can get by everywhere except al of Americas (with the exception of T-mobile), as most opf America uses 850 and 1900 bands for 3G. I seek opinions and advice. Thanks in advance.

I'm not entirely sure what kind of information you are looking for - yes, T-Mobile only offers a handful of 3G phones and one USB 3G adapter. There are no unbranded GSM phones that support the AWS frequencies. There is no denying that AT&T has more 3G phones AND better unbranded/unlocked support.

That said - T-Mobile will have the HTC Dash and Touch Pro2 very soon, and both of those will be 3G enabled. But even with a 3G phone, the coverage is very limited.

Bottom line - for a variety of phones and good coverage, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Now that was the kind of advice I was looking for. Telling me that I should not lot at branded phones alone is nod advice, or indication that someone missed the specific questions I asked.

Depends what you want to use it for.

T-mobile's 3G coverage is still nascent - nonexistent outside of major cities (and even not all major cities). If you are okay with that, stick with T-mobile. They do tend to be cheaper. If you need wall to wall 3G, go with Sprint or Verizon.

Currently, my use is limited to voice use only and my son, like most teenagers, is a prolific texter, for whom, I got an unlimited family texting plan. To his credit, he did not incur a charge for even one text message while we were discussing the issue of why e needs to text!

Since I haven't got a 3G phone, and have never used any of the 3G services, I am unable to say for sure, what I would use it for! I understand that it is a pertinent question, but you also indicate that T-mobile's G service is almost non-existent beyond a a few metropolitan areas.

While reading the TT forum on FT for my recent, and first trip to Japan, I learnt that there are phones that are triband 3G and quadband GSM, but there wasn't enough time for me to get one before the trip. I was unable to buy a cheap prepaid phone in Japan, but my contact in Japan lent me one to use during my trip. Upon my return, three days ago, I discovered, when I started searching for quadband GSM and triband 3G phones (1700, 2100 and another band which is not 900), there is no such phone. Now I find out that, thanks to you and Scott, that T-mobile's 3G coverage is rather sketchy. There is very little incentive for someone to stay with T-mobile, it seems.
Next year, my son will go to college. My contract with T-mobile ends in two months. I thought this would be a good time to plan ahead and switch if it turns out that my son needs to or wants to use 3G services such as higher speed data services. T-mobile's offering of phones for upgrades is very limited too. In 5 years of service with T-mobile, we have been able to upgrade only once. I Switched to T-mobile from sprint because I wanted to have GSM service.

If they send Catherine Zeta-Jones to your house, would you stay with t-mobile?

Kidding aside, I think you nailed the analysis. T-mobile (prepaid) makes sense for me, but I'm a low tech, low use cell phone person.

-David

What makes you think I was looking for T-branded phones? I don't think you know what I am talking about.
There is a totality of three phones that support HSDPA frequencies used by T-mobile, and 10 that support UMTS.

If they send Catherine Zeta-Jones to your house, would you stay with t-mobile?

Kidding aside, I think you nailed the analysis. T-mobile (prepaid) makes sense for me, but I'm a low tech, low use cell phone person.

-David
Thanks. I tried to approach things reasponable, and came here looking for advice. Maybe it was a mistake. For some reason, some thought that looking for T-mobile branded phones was the problem. :confused:
As for the T-mobile retention offer, I refuse to answer that. :D
Well, I am also not the kind ho needs the latest gadget, the latest phone, or replace it every 6 months or so. But I would jump in for the higher tech if I can justify the expense. It seems my kids are trained well too. I asked them if they wanted iPod or iPhone, their response was "Dady, I can't justify the expense!" How refreshing to hear that from a 16 yr and an 11 yr old!. I was surprised that he never texted, not even once, until we signed up. Poor guy had to wait for three months before my wife finally gave in.

their response was "Daddy, I can't justify the expense!"


hahaha. That's very sweet.

I don't think it was a mistake. You got some good replies in this thread, and only one from somebody that probably misunderstood the OP.

-David

Now I find out that, thanks to you and Scott, that T-mobile's 3G coverage is rather sketchy. There is very little incentive for someone to stay with T-mobile, it seems.

Well, again, if you're not sure why you'd need/want 3G data then not having 3G data isn't really a reason to switch. I have a T-mobile phone and an AT&T phone. My T-mobile phone is a Blackberry, and I use a TON more data on it than I do on my 3G AT&T phone. Frankly, I have been less than impressed with AT&T's service since getting the AT&T phone (it's a work-supplied phone).


Next year, my son will go to college. My contract with T-mobile ends in two months. I thought this would be a good time to plan ahead and switch if it turns out that my son needs to or wants to use 3G services such as higher speed data services. T-mobile's offering of phones for upgrades is very limited too. In 5 years of service with T-mobile, we have been able to upgrade only once. I Switched to T-mobile from sprint because I wanted to have GSM service.

If he for some reason wants to tether a laptop to a 3G phone, this could make sense - though if T-mobile has 3G service in his college town I bet it would be more than adequate, especially since most colleges have pervasive wifi these days.

Can't speak to your upgrade experience. I've always been able to get new customer pricing every 10 months or so. I like T-mobile's selection because I'm a Blackberry guy and they get new Berries fairly frequently.

...
Next year, my son will go to college. My contract with T-mobile ends in two months. I thought this would be a good time to plan ahead and switch if it turns out that my son needs to or wants to use 3G services such as higher speed data services. T-mobile's offering of phones for upgrades is very limited too. In 5 years of service with T-mobile, we have been able to upgrade only once. I Switched to T-mobile from sprint because I wanted to have GSM service.

College may be an excellent reason to keep TMO - Hotspot@home with a wifi router in his room. Otherwise, you're going to need an account with unlimited minutes :)

College may be an excellent reason to keep TMO - Hotspot@home with a wifi router in his room. Otherwise, you're going to need an account with unlimited minutes :)

That isn't too hard nowadays. Loyal customers can get unlimited plans for as little as $50.

That isn't too hard nowadays. Loyal customers can get unlimited plans for as little as $50.

Yes but 4 (or 5) phones $10/mo unlimited H@H + $10/mo unlimited texting and a 1000 min family plan costs way less. (That's $10 total, not per phone).

I misread the OP. My apologies Yaatri. :o

With new TMo 3g phones coming out and the price point of TMo compared with other carriers, is it really necessary to switch if 3g isn't a must have?

Well, again, if you're not sure why you'd need/want 3G data then not having 3G data isn't really a reason to switch. I have a T-mobile phone and an AT&T phone. My T-mobile phone is a Blackberry, and I use a TON more data on it than I do on my 3G AT&T phone. Frankly, I have been less than impressed with AT&T's service since getting the AT&T phone (it's a work-supplied phone).
One reason why I need(ed) a 3G phone is to use it in Japan. On my 1st trip, a couple of weeks ago, my contact in company I visited lent me one of his personal phones. The menu was in Japanese. He showed me how to call him and how to answer calls. I used it to call my wife once, after that she would call me. If I have a 3G phone, I would still need a Japanese SIM so that I don't have t pay for roaming charges, but at least I will have the capability to use the phone, even in the absence of a Japanese SIM.


If he for some reason wants to tether a laptop to a 3G phone, this could make sense - though if T-mobile has 3G service in his college town I bet it would be more than adequate, especially since most colleges have pervasive wifi these days.

Can't speak to your upgrade experience. I've always been able to get new customer pricing every 10 months or so. I like T-mobile's selection because I'm a Blackberry guy and they get new Berries fairly frequently.

Thanks for your input. I think the difference between the way you are approaching this and the way I am approaching this is that I think in 2 year chunks. T-Mobile is definitely cheaper. I'd be paying $20 more to AT&T just for the voice/SMS plan. You might have convinced me to stay with T-mobile.

Duplicate. Deleted

I misread the OP. My apologies Yaatri. :o

With new TMo 3g phones coming out and the price point of TMo compared with other carriers, is it reallyat theuir necessary to switch if 3g isn't a must have?

No worries. You raise and ask a good question. The only reason to siwtch to AT&T is that phones that work in 1700 band (those for T-mobile USA) don't work in 1900/850 band (excluding most of central and south America). But that might be n academic restriction only, as I have never been to South America and might never need to, unless I decide to travel there.