Western Hemisphere getting behind AWS for 3G
There isn't necessarily any single morsel of news here, but 3G Americas -- the group responsible for keeping GSM on the up and up this side of the pond -- just wants everyone to know that it likes AWS' chances for gaining ground in this part of the world for new HSPA (and eventually, LTE) deployments. Yanks may know AWS better as the weird flavor of bandwidth T-Mobile has gotten stuck with for deploying its desperately overdue 3G services; it utilizes spectrum in both the 1700 and 2100MHz spaces to push bits around, and while it hasn't yet been commercially deployed on a wide scale, the consortium points out that AWS spectrum auctions are in the pipe for Canada, Chile, and Mexico, among others. Naturally, that's very good news for anyone who finds themselves shopping for an AWS handset down the road, seeing how broader support across borders leads to broader manufacturer support -- a fact that 3G Americas is also quick to note. European and Asian buy-in is another matter altogether, but we'll take what we can get.[Via Phone Scoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
henry @ Dec 15th 2007 2:38PM
tmobile should just throw in the towel on the 3g services and concentrate on 4g, they are so late in the game there's not much point. we're on the verge of 4g deployments and tmobile still hasnt lit up their 3g towers. still, some blame lies on the government indeed, they shouldnt have auctioned off that spectrum when they are clearly not ready to give it up (take a look at the FCC's website for pdfs about them vacating that spectrum and who's using it, tmobile has a LONG wait ahead of them still. if i was reading that chart right, certain tennants on the spectrum dont plan to vacate until 2009 at least)
but it's pretty much too little, way too late. Verizon is already prepping their LTE trial to start in a few months...Sprint's test WIMAX network is days away from activation. it's like tmobile's trying to launch a new line of 802.11g cards in the midst of 11n... too little too late fellas.
\frustrated
Joe @ Dec 16th 2007 8:57AM
Normally I would agree and say its too little too late, but think of it this way: Tmobile has the best pricing for data plans and its HSDPA 3G. Sure they'll never have rural coverage and reception will always have issues, but I think I'll take the prospect of an unlocked high end Nokia or Sony Ericsson with AWS 3G over the crap that VZW/Sprint/ATT try to sell me anyday.
Matt @ Dec 16th 2007 11:09AM
AMEN to that comment. Too late is not always Too little. T-Mobile said this long time ago that when they will launch 3G, they will know what mistakes not to make. They know now how much people are willing to pay for data, what works and what doesn't so when T-Mob will flip the switch, I think they will smack other big three's ass with pricing.