A Visual Guide to AWS

None of the GSM 3G phones being sold today, whether it be from Cingular or unbranded/unlocked will work with T-Mobile's upcoming 3G network, since their network will use the UMTS/HSDPA 1700MHz band. "You will", be able to use it once some 3G Quad-band phones become available. That means you will have to have a phone with Quad-Band GSM (GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz), "and" Quad-band UMTS/HSDPA (UMTS 850/1700/1900/2100MHz) to truely call it a "World phone". By having all what I mentioned it will make it better for you to have a phone and use the phone features and data feature.

The reason why the GSM 3G phones that are currently being sold, or that have been announced prior-to-the-AWS auction, won't be able to be used with T-Mobile's network, is because they don't have the UMTS/HSDPA 1700MHz band on it. Phones with the UMTS/HSDPA 1700MHz band probably won't be announced or even sold til Q1 2007.

Cingular purchased some UMTS 1700MHz spectrum in certain locations. That means that when they build out that network, people who have current Cingular 3G phone with the UMTS/HSDPA (850/1900MHz), will have to get new phones from Cingular when Cingular makes 3G service with the 1700MHz band available to the public, in order to take advantage of their new network band. Same with T-Mobile customers when, T-Mobile launches 3G service.