$39 Billion is a lot of scooby snacks... and though I am aware that there are several regulatory hurdles to clear (SEC and FCC at the moment), I assume these beeeeches will lawyer up and find a way.
So from what I understand (which admittedly is very little) the existing Tmob towers will be re-purposed for rolling out Ma Bell's LTE coverage (within 12 months). As we all know, Ma Bell and Tmob use different broadcast frequencies for their Mobile broadband. So essentially, within a years time... those whom own a Vibrant, Vib + or any other 3g enabled Tmob smartphone... will have a very expensive edge capable device... ewwwwwwww, really !?!?!?!?!?!
Has there been any other word on this... as in compensation, grandfathering of packages (AT&T data plans blow money-wise) etc...
I know we have some Tmob sources on this board... any whispers???
Vibrant supports GayT&T bands, im unlocked.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
tng222 said:
Vibrant supports GayT&T bands, im unlocked.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umts and hsupa ????
droppin the know...
Vibrant is supports some AT&T's 3G bands. Most of the time, you'll be on AT&T's 3G, but you can also get kicked down to edge if the area you're in doesn't support Vibrant's 3G bands.
Nope, it does 850mhz and 1900mhz, all bands. However, I will admit the phone has issues switching between GSM and WCDMA, so I set it to WCDMA only.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Read today that AT&T may have to divest part of T-Mobile to Sprint
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/03/analysts-say-att-will-have-to-divest-part-of-t-mobile-possibly-to-sprint/
T-Mobile is becoming a rag doll...
This is going to be more fun than the Sprint Nextel fiasco.
I don't think there is much mystery as to what will happen. This is AT&T we are talking about, after all.
While a nice bonus, the additional subscribers to AT&T's user base is really a secondary concern. AT&T's prime target were the (leases for) T-mobile's frequencies.
AT&T's network is already overloaded (thanks in part to weak infineon radio chipsets). They need to start the roll out to LTE to compete (verizon is already ahead of them), and they know that customers will cry foul and leave if their LTE and HSPA+ phones do not get service any faster than current 3G phones (see: Motorola Atrix).
So, what will happen to T-mobile users? Simple... AT&T will honor existing contracts and arrangements *for 2G/3G service* (T-mob does not have 4G, despite the marketing), and they will issue T-mobile users new phones (some discounted, I am sure) for use on AT&T's existing network.
What does this mean for T-mobile customers? Say good-bye to being able to answer a phone call at a concert or college football game. Being on the largest network means having to share bandwith/frequency with the largest number of users. They will fight for service with all those people with sh*tty iphone antennae.
Slower data, locked down Android phones, and higher rates for service if you want to sign a new agreement are what will inevitably happen. Current AT&T customers probably won't notice a difference unless they get an LTE phone (in which case they will get the faster data and non-overloaded service that T-mobile customers are used to).
T-mo 3G coverage will get better in smaller towns & cities, but this isn't much of an advantage for me since I live in a large city.
I hope that if that happens and I can't use my phone in their network, I'm given the option of just cancel my contract...
tng222 said:
Nope, it does 850mhz and 1900mhz, all bands. However, I will admit the phone has issues switching between GSM and WCDMA, so I set it to WCDMA only.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Really don't think so. FCC documents only say 1900MHz for 3G. Who knows though?
I just hope we can continue to use smartphones on prepaid plans. That's really why I left Ma Bell.
Tarzanman said:
I don't think there is much mystery as to what will happen. This is AT&T we are talking about, after all.
While a nice bonus, the additional subscribers to AT&T's user base is really a secondary concern. AT&T's prime target were the (leases for) T-mobile's frequencies.
AT&T's network is already overloaded (thanks in part to weak infineon radio chipsets). They need to start the roll out to LTE to compete (verizon is already ahead of them), and they know that customers will cry foul and leave if their LTE and HSPA+ phones do not get service any faster than current 3G phones (see: Motorola Atrix).
So, what will happen to T-mobile users? Simple... AT&T will honor existing contracts and arrangements *for 2G/3G service* (T-mob does not have 4G, despite the marketing), and they will issue T-mobile users new phones (some discounted, I am sure) for use on AT&T's existing network.
What does this mean for T-mobile customers? Say good-bye to being able to answer a phone call at a concert or college football game. Being on the largest network means having to share bandwith/frequency with the largest number of users. They will fight for service with all those people with sh*tty iphone antennae.
Slower data, locked down Android phones, and higher rates for service if you want to sign a new agreement are what will inevitably happen. Current AT&T customers probably won't notice a difference unless they get an LTE phone (in which case they will get the faster data and non-overloaded service that T-mobile customers are used to).
T-mo 3G coverage will get better in smaller towns & cities, but this isn't much of an advantage for me since I live in a large city.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think t-mobile does a great job in coverage, i get full service in my neighborhood but i dont get 3g service, maybe this will help? if not i just want to cancel my contract and switch to verizon
After the merger is done and the network has switched over...Worse case, I hope to unlock, pop in a AT&T SIM continue to use my Vibrant mostly like nothing has changed. I don't know what effect flashing a Captivate modem would have. I'm not worried...yet.
I think AT&T might make a transitional phase (2-4yrs) for T-mobile existing customers(no new AWS phones) before switching all T-mobile network to AT&T frequencies.
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20048020-85.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0
I hope sprint gets it! I never had and never will have at&t.... I price checked with at&t a few days ago.. 210 dollars for 2 unlimited lines!?!? Data capped at 2Gigs.. And 10 bucks for every gig used after!? I pay 140 for two fully loaded vibrants. . Fack at&t
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
nate420 said:
210 dollars for 2 unlimited lines!?!? Data capped at 2Gigs.. And 10 bucks for every gig used after!?
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Unlimited...
gamikzone said:
i think t-mobile does a great job in coverage, i get full service in my neighborhood but i dont get 3g service, maybe this will help? if not i just want to cancel my contract and switch to verizon
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Click to collapse
Same Here. I have been with T-mobile for 7 years now and even though I moved from a "4G" area to an area where I only get Edge, i still have stayed with T-Mob, but I am hoping we get the option to cancel our contracts because that Thunderbolt from Verizon is looking good. My co-worker has one and let me mess with it and it is nice.
Tarzanman said:
I don't think there is much mystery as to what will happen. This is AT&T we are talking about, after all.
While a nice bonus, the additional subscribers to AT&T's user base is really a secondary concern. AT&T's prime target were the (leases for) T-mobile's frequencies.
AT&T's network is already overloaded (thanks in part to weak infineon radio chipsets). They need to start the roll out to LTE to compete (verizon is already ahead of them), and they know that customers will cry foul and leave if their LTE and HSPA+ phones do not get service any faster than current 3G phones (see: Motorola Atrix).
So, what will happen to T-mobile users? Simple... AT&T will honor existing contracts and arrangements *for 2G/3G service* (T-mob does not have 4G, despite the marketing), and they will issue T-mobile users new phones (some discounted, I am sure) for use on AT&T's existing network.
What does this mean for T-mobile customers? Say good-bye to being able to answer a phone call at a concert or college football game. Being on the largest network means having to share bandwith/frequency with the largest number of users. They will fight for service with all those people with sh*tty iphone antennae.
Slower data, locked down Android phones, and higher rates for service if you want to sign a new agreement are what will inevitably happen. Current AT&T customers probably won't notice a difference unless they get an LTE phone (in which case they will get the faster data and non-overloaded service that T-mobile customers are used to).
T-mo 3G coverage will get better in smaller towns & cities, but this isn't much of an advantage for me since I live in a large city.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile has a better "4G" than AT&T does. Their HSPA+ is faster than AT&T's.
dligon said:
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20048020-85.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0
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Completely agree with the article.
They are allowing AT&T to be a monopoly again,after all the work it took to destroy the monopoly.The FCC should shot down this deal period.
Related
im sure google has been talking with tmobile and htc about 4g, whether it be wimax or LTE. can anyone confirm if it supports either? not only would that make the phone more awesome, but we could be more certain on tmobile 4g plans. i mean sprint already has it on the pre, and google gave the n1 specs to beat out most opponents (asside from the hd2, but i dont think that supports 4g either :/ never looked).
any idea or confirmations would be welcome
damn. oh well, the 3g boost is good enough for now
What a bollocks question. Networks won't be that mature for AT LEAST 18months.
LOL. i didnt think it would, but it wouldnt surprise me if google did have htc put it in
Knowing HTC they will stop supporting this phone in 6 months. £100 says the Nexus 2 will be out by Christmas.
firedup said:
What a bollocks question. Networks won't be that mature for AT LEAST 18months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True but some consumers buy into Sprint commercials about 4G.
alexjzim said:
im sure google has been talking with tmobile and htc about 4g, whether it be wimax or LTE. can anyone confirm if it supports either? not only would that make the phone more awesome, but we could be more certain on tmobile 4g plans. i mean sprint already has it on the pre, and google gave the n1 specs to beat out most opponents (asside from the hd2, but i dont think that supports 4g either :/ never looked).
any idea or confirmations would be welcome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile has no intentions, as of right now, of going to 4G. Its simply not needed. Explanation: Sprint and Verizon are CDMA technologies. CDMA (Code Devision Multipable Access) has a 2.5MHz bandwidth. With that they use EVDO for thier 3G data rates but because of the bandwidth of CDMA they are very limited on their max download speeds. With that said, both carriers will have to go to 4G, WiMAX or LTE, in order to achive high data rates.
On to T-Mobile: T-Mobile has recently installed a UMTS 3G network which uses WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). WCDMA has a 5Mhz bandwidth which, by easy math, is double the capability of Verizon and Sprint. UMTS uses a technology called HSPA+ for its data. HSPA+ is capable of download speeds up to 48Mbps. As of right now, T-Mobile is making efforts to seriously increase their data speeds using HSPA+ and as of right now T-Mobile has HSPA+ launched in Philidalphia and is getting great reviews.
So, with all of that said, hold on because by the end of this year T-Mobile will probably have the fastest network.
Why 4g on a phone, if 3.5G 7.2Mbps worked fully, its more than enough, for youtube, iplayer and daytoday surfing.
22Mbps from mobile, networks - its a joke max speed will be about 4-6Mbps if one is lucky and much less in most areas
tigger80 said:
Why 4g on a phone, if 3.5G 7.2Mbps worked fully, its more than enough, for youtube, iplayer and daytoday surfing.
22Mbps from mobile, networks - its a joke max speed will be about 4-6Mbps if one is lucky and much less in most areas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
7.2Mbps is enough for everyone, just like 640k, right?
setzer715 said:
T-Mobile has no intentions, as of right now, of going to 4G. Its simply not needed. Explanation: Sprint and Verizon are CDMA technologies. CDMA (Code Devision Multipable Access) has a 2.5MHz bandwidth. With that they use EVDO for thier 3G data rates but because of the bandwidth of CDMA they are very limited on their max download speeds. With that said, both carriers will have to go to 4G, WiMAX or LTE, in order to achive high data rates.
On to T-Mobile: T-Mobile has recently installed a UMTS 3G network which uses WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). WCDMA has a 5Mhz bandwidth which, by easy math, is double the capability of Verizon and Sprint. UMTS uses a technology called HSPA+ for its data. HSPA+ is capable of download speeds up to 48Mbps. As of right now, T-Mobile is making efforts to seriously increase their data speeds using HSPA+ and as of right now T-Mobile has HSPA+ launched in Philidalphia and is getting great reviews.
So, with all of that said, hold on because by the end of this year T-Mobile will probably have the fastest network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So when all this happens according to planned, and hoping it will. Will current phones now(Nexus One) be able to benefit to the new speeds?
not necessarily all current phones, but the nexus one does... when you take a look at the specs, there is HSDPA and HSUPA... the more common nomenclature would be HSPA+ and HSPA as some people like to put it...
with the upgraded network speeds that t-mobile announced as of the fifth, my average download speed has jumped from 600kbps max to 1 mbps on my nexus one... a pretty hefty improvement, and its only gonna get better... don't really see the need to upgrade to anything faster at the moment because most cell companies can't handle the load of data thats going across their networks as is... they upgrade speed, they have to upgrade capacity too and that means more hardware, its not as simple as swapping to HSPA+
motivecc said:
not necessarily all current phones, but the nexus one does... when you take a look at the specs, there is HSDPA and HSUPA... the more common nomenclature would be HSPA+ and HSPA as some people like to put it...
with the upgraded network speeds that t-mobile announced as of the fifth, my average download speed has jumped from 600kbps max to 1 mbps on my nexus one... a pretty hefty improvement, and its only gonna get better... don't really see the need to upgrade to anything faster at the moment because most cell companies can't handle the load of data thats going across their networks as is... they upgrade speed, they have to upgrade capacity too and that means more hardware, its not as simple as swapping to HSPA+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and HSPA+ (Evolved High Speed Packet Access) are actually 2 different things. HSPA is capable of up to 14Mbps down while HSPA+ is capable of up to 54Mbps down. T-Mobile is currently running HSPA nation wide and running HSPA+ in Philidalphia. T-Mobile hopes to be running HSPA+ nation wide. HSDPA and HSUPA are simply HSPA with the D for Download or U for Upload added to the acronym to differntiate the different up and down speeds.
laztpn0i said:
So when all this happens according to planned, and hoping it will. Will current phones now(Nexus One) be able to benefit to the new speeds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, any phone that is currently rated at HSDPA of 7.2Mbps or 4Mbps will bennifit from the upgrade.
ivarmedi said:
7.2Mbps is enough for everyone, just like 640k, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On a mobile device, where there are other factors involved, such as cpu and other performance components.
My phone speedtest gets 15Mb on wifi and about 3.5Mb on 3G but the real life speed when using the internet seems much slower even with wifi because the device can't handle or process the web pages as fast as a PC, also i doubt people will use rapidshare on the phone where speed matters,
For genral surfing a good 1MB connection is enough for mobile devices, i think anyway.
I use usb modems by huawei i have many most have 7.2Mbs with vodafone i get 3-5Mbps but still seems very slow, mostly due to the ping which are normally in the 300ms+
ADSL/DSL is best for speed, mobile BB even at 50Mbps will not compare to 20Mbps DSL line. As DSL is much more stable and Mobile BB is NOT very stable
setzer715 said:
T-Mobile has no intentions, as of right now, of going to 4G. Its simply not needed. Explanation: Sprint and Verizon are CDMA technologies. CDMA (Code Devision Multipable Access) has a 2.5MHz bandwidth. With that they use EVDO for thier 3G data rates but because of the bandwidth of CDMA they are very limited on their max download speeds. With that said, both carriers will have to go to 4G, WiMAX or LTE, in order to achive high data rates.
On to T-Mobile: T-Mobile has recently installed a UMTS 3G network which uses WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). WCDMA has a 5Mhz bandwidth which, by easy math, is double the capability of Verizon and Sprint. UMTS uses a technology called HSPA+ for its data. HSPA+ is capable of download speeds up to 48Mbps. As of right now, T-Mobile is making efforts to seriously increase their data speeds using HSPA+ and as of right now T-Mobile has HSPA+ launched in Philidalphia and is getting great reviews.
So, with all of that said, hold on because by the end of this year T-Mobile will probably have the fastest network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now if they could just get 3g in my area this year.....
Personally, I'm not happy that Sprint has decided to go with WiMax. On one hand, we've always been kind of blocked from using imported phones... but on the other hand, Sprint wasn't the only CDMA carrier in America, and there were enough other companies using CDMA elsewhere in the world to ensure that we got to have phones that were at least as cool (often, better) than what Europeans could buy for GSM (especially with regard to the first PalmOS PDA phones, and generally with regard to Windows Mobile PDA phones).
As far as I can tell, Sprint is the only carrier on *earth* going with WiMax instead of LTE. It's one thing to be limited to the same phones used by Verizon, just about everyone in South Korea, plus half of Australia, South America, and a big part of China. It's another matter *entirely* to be the only 20-40 million people on Earth stuck with phones that literally have no market anyplace besides Sprint in the US.
I remember going to an AT&T Wireless store with a coworker in 2004, right before they switched to GSM. I looked around the store, and couldn't *believe* anyone wouldn't take one look at the 20th-century relics they were still selling to new customers and run from the store screaming. That's what being REALLY "ghetto-ized" means.
We won't even be able to ***** about Sprint not supporting R-UIM cards, because there won't be any non-Sprint phones that are even capable of working on Sprint.
I've been a Sprint user since ~1999, and it really hurts to think I might eventually be forced to choose between leaving Sprint or settling for a second-rate phone that sucks as badly as AT&T's TDMA phones did relative to the phones Sprint, Verizon, and even T-Mobile had at the same time.
The biggest selling point I've seen for WiMax so far is the fantasies some people have that it will replace WiFi... totally overlooking the fact that people don't use WiFi because it's the best... they use it because it's free. It uses internet connectivity that someone's already paying for, and enables its use in more ways. It's the same reason "3G tablets" are going to flop (in the short term, at least) in America, unless they can ALSO use WiFi and tether to cell phones. Very, very few people are going to willingly throw down $500 for a new device that requires yet another new $10-40/month fee to use it unless it's literally god's gift to the computing universe. AFAIK, nothing remotely close to being *that* cool is hitting the market anytime soon.
firedup said:
Knowing HTC they will stop supporting this phone in 6 months. £100 says the Nexus 2 will be out by Christmas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bet $200 that it'll be out by June.
Do you think hd2 owners who have at&t will get to use tmobiles wavelength and finally get more than edge network from this happening??
For reference if new to this subject at&t and tmobile both have an EDGE network on the same wavelength so on an unlocked tmobile hd2 one can use the slow 2g internet connection of at&t, but the 3g networks run off of different bands so an at&t # can't connect to any 3g whatsoever, with at&t's purchase of tmobile wouldn't at&t have to utilize tmobiles 3g wavelength in order to still provide 3g and 3.5g to everyone with tmobile phones that aren't compatible with at&t's current network? If so then I'm personally benefitting from this and finally getting a decent mobile data speed on my tmobile phone with my at&t network
Please don't bash at&t here, I know they suck, I've used their service for quite some time now, I'm just looking for opinions and facts on this matter
and I know euro hd2's already pick up at&t 3g, I'm talking about tmous hardware
From what I have read it seems that in a year or so if this deal is accepted by the FCC at&t will reuse and refit tmobiles network towers/equipment to use there 4g LTE network and give it a boost while removing T-Mobile service altogether causing us T-Mobile 3g/4g users to get new phones that work on AT&T's data network so in your case I highly doubt it there really isn't a benefit for AT&T or T-mobile other then T-Mobile users will be able to have different range of phones (mostly iPhone) I really hope the FCC denies this deal not only does it kills another service provider option limiting us to 3 major companies and forces people escaping the high price of service from sprint, Verizon, and At&t (I've been on them all and left because of price and QOS) but also makes AT&T top dog just because they bought out another company
Yea I read about this yesterday. Highly pissed off. I can't stand at&t. Crappy phone signal, high prices, and crappy customer service. I hope this deal does not go through. Just like when sprint was supposed to buy tmobile. Hopefully it's just a rumor.
XsceneXhippieX said:
Do you think hd2 owners who have at&t will get to use tmobiles wavelength and finally get more than edge network from this happening??
For reference if new to this subject at&t and tmobile both have an EDGE network on the same wavelength so on an unlocked tmobile hd2 one can use the slow 2g internet connection of at&t, but the 3g networks run off of different bands so an at&t # can't connect to any 3g whatsoever, with at&t's purchase of tmobile wouldn't at&t have to utilize tmobiles 3g wavelength in order to still provide 3g and 3.5g to everyone with tmobile phones that aren't compatible with at&t's current network? If so then I'm personally benefitting from this and finally getting a decent mobile data speed on my tmobile phone with my at&t network
Please don't bash at&t here, I know they suck, I've used their service for quite some time now, I'm just looking for opinions and facts on this matter
and I know euro hd2's already pick up at&t 3g, I'm talking about tmous hardware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I have read that its the exact opposite......AT&T has planned to upgrade all of Tmobiles service towers to the 4G LTE, leaving all T-Mobile Branded 3g phones unable to access
robstillholdin said:
Actually I have read that its the exact opposite......AT&T has planned to upgrade all of Tmobiles service towers to the 4G LTE, leaving all T-Mobile Branded 3g phones unable to access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, about 5 minutes after i posted this i saw the article stating that at&t is decommissioning tmobile's 3/3.5g towers to use them for their LTE, too bad at&t is already selling "4g" phones (ie the atrix and the inspire 4g) with no capability of utilizing TRUE 4g via LTE later on... anyone else think at&t will re-release said phones as LTE devices for $50 more than the hspa versions? i cant wait to switch to verizon personally, but im waiting for a htc pyramid compatible with verizons 4g network to switch
I received a letter from tmobile if I wanted to attend a meeting/conference for San Jose, Ca becuase my current phone service will be upgraded.... not removed....
Is this confirmed yet? If so, I am going to be HIGHLY pissed off. I HATE AT&T with a passion and refuse to use their service.
Is it possible to unlock my HD2 and my fiancee's Galaxy S Vibrant to use on Sprint or Verizon?
Specialk47150 said:
Is this confirmed yet? If so, I am going to be HIGHLY pissed off. I HATE AT&T with a passion and refuse to use their service.
Is it possible to unlock my HD2 and my fiancee's Galaxy S Vibrant to use on Sprint or Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, only for gsm networks, which is now going through an approval process to become a single gsm network, not confirmed until the fcc gives the word though so keep your fingers crossed!
Sent from cyanogen mod 7
Specialk47150 said:
Is this confirmed yet? If so, I am going to be HIGHLY pissed off. I HATE AT&T with a passion and refuse to use their service.
Is it possible to unlock my HD2 and my fiancee's Galaxy S Vibrant to use on Sprint or Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Tmobile and AT&T use sim cards and use totally different frequencies
If the deal passes I highly doubt that the T-mobile name will continue for long. Especially since both carriers operate on the voicestream network. This will combine T-mobile's few towers with ATT's many towers. But as someone mentioned earlier niether of these two have real 4G. It ticks me off when I see comercials calling it 4G. Only verizon is rolling out true 4G in LTE.
And in case you haven't heard. T-mobile was going down hill. They were losing money. There were talks of Sprint buying them at first. So it may be a good thing with ATT buying them up.
MOD EDIT: Any questions regarding the merge should be directed in the original discussion thread ~TheRomMistress
This thread is about one and only question. The whole reason for my question is that my wife has a full upgrade at the end of this month and I want to be the damn 4G mhz band is going to last...
What will happen to our 4G band during this merger?
Please links to anything, ill also be trolling for anything I can find and posting it here.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
in the next year we will see if T-Mobile gets acquired.
AT&T's plan for T-Mobile is to take their towers and spectrum and use them to reinforce their 3G and then roll out HSPA+ and LTE.
When they finally flip the switch, your G2 won't work anymore theoretically because it only works for 3G on 1700/2100, which AT&T does not. They will more than likely have backwards compatibility for quite a while before they shut down the ability for 1700/2100 3G T-Mobile phones to access their network. At that time when they choose to stop using 1700/2100 for 3G I'm sure that there will be a transition plan for them to move users from their old T-Mobile phones to new AT&T phones.
I think by the time AT&T finally switches to drop all of 1700/2100 3G support for T-mobile, the G2 will be quite old news. We're talking a year before the acquisition even becomes final, and then they have to start in with their transition plan. We're looking at a long way off before this is happening.
NEW YORK -- AT&T Inc. said Monday that if its deal to buy T-Mobile USA goes through, T-Mobile subscribers with "3G" phones will need to replace those to keep their wireless broadband service working. But there will be plenty of time to do that.
Dallas-based AT&T said Sunday it had agreed to buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. If approved by regulators, the deal would close in about a year.
AT&T said that some time after the closing, it plans to rearrange how T-Mobile's cell towers work. The airwaves they use for third-generation services, or 3G, will be repurposed for 4G, which is faster.
That would leave current T-Mobile phones without 3G. They would need to be replaced with phones that use AT&T's 3G frequencies. Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's head of wireless and consumer services, said this will happen as part of the normal phone upgrade process.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/21/att-t-mobile-3g-phones-_n_838492.html
pretty much our phones wont work and they will offer us phones that do work so they can avoid grandfathering our current plans
TrueYears said:
NEW YORK -- AT&T Inc. said Monday that if its deal to buy T-Mobile USA goes through, T-Mobile subscribers with "3G" phones will need to replace those to keep their wireless broadband service working. But there will be plenty of time to do that.
Dallas-based AT&T said Sunday it had agreed to buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. If approved by regulators, the deal would close in about a year.
AT&T said that some time after the closing, it plans to rearrange how T-Mobile's cell towers work. The airwaves they use for third-generation services, or 3G, will be repurposed for 4G, which is faster.
That would leave current T-Mobile phones without 3G. They would need to be replaced with phones that use AT&T's 3G frequencies. Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's head of wireless and consumer services, said this will happen as part of the normal phone upgrade process.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/21/att-t-mobile-3g-phones-_n_838492.html
pretty much our phones wont work and they will offer us phones that do work so they can avoid grandfathering our current plans
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Click to collapse
Note that this suggests 1700/2100 LTE.
I realize that the g2 will be old news but that doesn't mean for that when I purchase a 4g phone this month for my wife I don't want the 4g to work in 12 months...
http://www.google.com/m/url?client=...UQFjAE&usg=AFQjCNEZ6OUeODq4FJmRQuwYDsGVqqzW3Q
"Find" the word "handset" and read that paragraph.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I read that T-Mobile users will have to switch out to an AT&T smartphone device (at no cost or so they say) in order to stay on the 3G network because of the frequency difference. With that said it will be the end of our HD2 at least on 3G, even if it's a year out this phone still has over a year left of use in it.
do we need another thread about this buyout?
Not true. Nothing will happen for atleast a year. Plus.......from what I have read...they bought T-Mobile to add the 2 networks together. At&t has run out of room and want to unload some of they're weight onto tmobiles spectrum.
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why would they stop broadcasting on our 3g frequency?
they paid the FCC ridiculously for the right to that frequency and by adding the two different frequencies together and by designing phones with radios to access both frequencies, AT&T be able to compete with Verizon in terms of network coverage speed etc. This merger could be good for us as long as they don't price gouge us.
It doesnt make any sense unless at&t plans to sell the tmobile frequency to another cell company to force customers to switch to at&t phones...I dont see how or why that would ever happen makes much more sense to combine networks to increase speed and coverage and provide better service bc that is what will get and keep customers
If AT&T jacks up rates and tries to play the TMobile customers who went to TMobile in the first place bc Tmobile was the only wireless competition who went after Verizon and AT&T by offering better prices then AT&T can kiss its TMobile customers goodbye. I hate this merger from a consumer perspective but if they dont get greedy it might be ok...I dunno lack of competition is almost always bad for consumers
TopOfNewYork said:
why would they stop broadcasting on our 3g frequency?
they paid the FCC ridiculously for the right to that frequency and by adding the two different frequencies together and by designing phones with radios to access both frequencies, AT&T be able to compete with Verizon in terms of network coverage speed etc. This merger could be good for us as long as they don't price gouge us.
It doesnt make any sense unless at&t plans to sell the tmobile frequency to another cell company to force customers to switch to at&t phones...I dont see how or why that would ever happen makes much more sense to combine networks to increase speed and coverage and provide better service bc that is what will get and keep customers
If AT&T jacks up rates and tries to play the TMobile customers who went to TMobile in the first place bc Tmobile was the only wireless competition who went after Verizon and AT&T by offering better prices then AT&T can kiss its TMobile customers goodbye. I hate this merger from a consumer perspective but if they dont get greedy it might be ok...I dunno lack of competition is almost always bad for consumers
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AT&T has announced it is NOT going to us T-Mo's frequencies. They are going to upgrade the T-Mo towers to their 4G LTE tech, rendering our 3G phones useless. This is supposed to take a year or two though.
so whoever has the tmobiles "4G" aka HSPA+ devices, will be able to use that "4G LTE" network that they gonna add which should make G2 MT4G capable of the real 4G speeds?
No HSPA + uses GSM crap and whatnot whilst LTE is like next gen GSM. So no, if you have an HSPA+ phone it won't work on LTE.
Kailkti said:
No HSPA + uses GSM crap and whatnot whilst LTE is like next gen GSM. So no, if you have an HSPA+ phone it won't work on LTE.
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well that blows.. guess ill have to wait to see waht they come up with. no matter how much i hate att i really need a gsm device....
Well as said. LTE is like a next gen or evolution of GSM. So alot of carriers are moving to it, if not all. At&t, Verizon, Sprint, Europe is going there. Maybe asia. So maybe LTE will be the new GSM.
Only downside is for people who live in third/second world countries.
Although you won't expect a big wave of LTE devices to hit anytime soon however, and make GSM obsolete.
Kailkti said:
Well as said. LTE is like a next gen or evolution of GSM. So alot of carriers are moving to it, if not all. At&t, Verizon, Sprint, Europe is going there. Maybe asia. So maybe LTE will be the new GSM.
Only downside is for people who live in third/second world countries.
Although you won't expect a big wave of LTE devices to hit anytime soon however, and make GSM obsolete.
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well yea thats true but withing next like 2 years they should start popping out fast
nothing is changing any time soon.... They are honoring all contracts that are entered before the merger happens. MEANING if you have an hd2 you have nothing to worry about. I for one will not still be using it in two years from now. There will be WAY better phones by then.
what a niche of people are worried about is if the $10 web2go or $5.99 tzones UNLIMITED DATA WITH TETHERING NO CAPS will still work..
I'm thinking of switching my carrier from Verizon to something else. I have unlimited data with Verizon now so its my main reason to stay (this to shall pass). My main reason to change carriers is for devices. I noticed AT&T and T-Mobile get better phones all the time compared to Verizon's line up. So my main question is this, "Is a carrier switch worth it simply for a better device?" If so is AT&T my best choice or should I still consider T-Mobile?
Please try not to carrier bash in this thread. This is not what its for nor is it my goal. Thanks!
PS - I have an iPhone because it was cheaper to repair than my Thunderbolt at the time... worst mistake I ever made!
I'm sure this will get moved, but in general AT&T is going to have the better coverage.
In general, AT&T will offer better coverage while T-Mobile will offer better pricing. The two also handle data overages differently: AT&T will charge you an extra $15* per GB, while T-Mobile will still let you use your connection but at 2G speeds.
Since both are GSM carriers, you also have the option to outright buy any unlocked GSM compatible phone and have it work with at the very least Voice/Text/2G data. For 3G/4G to work, make sure you get one with AWS bands for T-Mobile or 1900Mhz bands for AT&T. Because of this, I dont think choosing one carrier over a phone is a good idea unless you absolutely need that subsidized price. And in that case, I would say go with AT&T since they tend to get the higher end phones (ex. One X vs One S).
Hope that helps.
*Havent checked in a while, this may not be accurate
talk2nate said:
I'm thinking of switching my carrier from Verizon to something else. I have unlimited data with Verizon now so its my main reason to stay (this to shall pass). My main reason to change carriers is for devices. I noticed AT&T and T-Mobile get better phones all the time compared to Verizon's line up. So my main question is this, "Is a carrier switch worth it simply for a better device?" If so is AT&T my best choice or should I still consider T-Mobile?
Please try not to carrier bash in this thread. This is not what its for nor is it my goal. Thanks!
PS - I have an iPhone because it was cheaper to repair than my Thunderbolt at the time... worst mistake I ever made!
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Your question is subjective - you're going to get opinions from several people who have different priorities than you do and, more importantly in terms of getting a "good" answer, their experiences will be different from what yours would be.
Look at coverage maps in your area and decide which carriers will be available, then make the decision yourself.
There are objective distinctions to be made in the case of AT&T vs. T-Mobile if you were going to buy an unbranded device, but that's not a concern for you.
If you need out of your contract, PM me. I may consider doing an assumption of liability for a line with unlimited data plan. I realize I'd have to outright buy the phones in the future, but Verizon is great in AZ.
Where do you live? Around here (Wichita) T-Mobile only really gives 4g coverage in the city and they didn't used to cover outside at all. But recently they got GRPS in a bunch of rural areas and good voice coverage on the way to my hometown which is NW. Also if they continue refarming the towers they will soon probably get 3g if you have a 1900 UTMS phone now even though it is CDMA. That is what I am doing now and I'm waiting for Wichita to get refarmed.
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I have a Droid 3 I had on Verizon but pretty much left their service just because I couldn't stand the prices.
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