A Visual Guide to AWS

Thanks for the clarification. So, as I understand it, T-Mobile's downlink will be the same as European UMTS (2100), but the uplink will be different than what is used for UMTS in Europe, and that is where the problem will come in. Am I correct?

Mr. T-Mobile said:
now the only down side to a lot of this is that what T-MO is doing is regulating the kinds of phones that can be used on they're network. Which from what it sounds like is that.... if I want a unlocked phone from somewhere else I cant use it PERIOD. I can do this now, it only has to be GSM and Unlocked and I am off and running. However when this new so called " AMERICAN 3G/UMTS " roll out goes into effect all phone manufactures will have to make " Unlocked phones " just for T-MO to work on they're new network ( we all know this ain't happening )

If the T-Mobile 3G upgrades restricts me only to the phones made for and sold by T-Mobile, I'll be really mad. The above quote doesn't sound like Mr. T-Mobile expects this to happen, but since the frequencies are the same, why couldn't future 3G UMTS/HSPDA phones support quad or quint band 3G (or at least T-Mobile's AWS network configuration, since the frequencies are the same as Europe - I would think more effort would be required to add the 850/1900 bands Cingular is currently using for their HSPDA rollout?)?

Is a European or unlocked import phone supporting T-Mobile's AWS bands or quad/quint band UMTS/HSPDA really that unlikely? Do you really think the US 3G market will really become so locked-down to phones specifically made for specific networks (T-Mobile vs. Cingular)?