Nokia and Ericsson provide 3G to T-Mobile USA

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/nokia-ericsson-provide-3g-t-mobile/story.aspx?guid=%7B857FAF43-3A92-4A50-A841-3DA84584A00B%7D' target='_blank'>http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/nokia-ericsson-provide-3g-t-mobile/story.aspx?guid=%7B857FAF43-3A92-4A50-A841-3DA84584A00B%7D</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Nokia Corp (NOK) and Ericsson (ERIC) said Monday that they will provide third generation mobile phone infrastructure to T-Mobile USA (DT), as the German mobile operator looks to rollout phone and data services across the United States. Nokia or Ericsson declined to disclose the financial value of the contracts, and it is unclear whether further equipment manufacturers have been selected. However, T-Mobile USA, the U.S. mobile phone arm of Deutsche Telekom AG (DT), said in October that it expects to spend about EUR2.1 billion, or $2.66 billion, over the next two to three years to upgrade to its next-generation network."</i><br /><br />It looks like it is time to welcome T-Mobile to the 3G party. You must be happy if you have Tmo, however, it seems you have a bit of a wait ahead. Of course I'm still waiting for Cingular to get moving!

[ifonline]

Of course I'm still waiting for Cingular to get moving!

Where I am in Georgia, the 3G network for Cingular ends in the next county over from me. Kinda stinks, but I learned Tuesday night that Cingular is adding a new tower in the north-western quarter of our county, and that all new towers are 3G networked. So, it looks like, for me at least, that 3G is moving in! I can't wait!

[bshpmark]

ifonline --- How is your Cingular coverage overall? What data plan are you on? I'm down here in the Cartersville area.

[ifonline]

Overall I am very happy with Cingular's coverage in Barrow County. I am normally in the Winder and Braselton areas (just outside Gwinnett County on Highway 316), and everything is pretty good. There are areas that aren't covered, but that's what the new tower is going to fix. I forgot to mention that the new tower will be operational no later than February 2007.

Coverage in my office is fair (in Winder), but that's to be expected considering the design of the building I am in. Coverage in my home (Braselton) is good to excellent, depending on where in the house I am. However, at home, I have never lost a signal, and at work I very rarely have troubles.

Part of my job description several years ago included testing new cellular/radio equipment, so I got to test Nextel and Verizon alongside Cingular. Cingular was the best overall, although Verizon wasn't too bad. Nextel has always had the worst coverage (in my area), but that is about to change as well, at least as I understand it. Nextel is boosting their coverage here because the school system is going to add Nextels for the bus drivers, and part of the deal was improved coverage.

Unfortunately, my data plan is currently the $40.00 a month PDA unlimited plan, although I have been battling with Cingular over calling the BlackJack a PDA versus a SmartPhone. If I win, I can get back on the $20.00 unlimited SmartPhone plan, but I'm not really holding my breath. Someone here mentioned modifying your account online without customer service assistance, and I might just try that.

How about for you?