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G1 uses AT&T's 3G towers

Maarek

Nov 4, 2008, 10:53 PM
I got off the phone with T-Mobile's Tech support the other day. Since T-Mobile only has towers in about 30 Metropolitan areas, the tech told me that it would use the 3G data signal for all data transfers. You also have to be in an area where AT&T has 3G towers.

Verizon started in 2001 with their 3G towers so you pretty much receive a 3G signal almost anywhere.

Since I'm tired of waiting for Certain phones to come out. This got my attention and I'm willing to purchase the phone. (and work on my own apps for the G1).

Some co-workers said that I should get the iPhone, but I said I can use my palm pilot and run apps the same way, 1 at a time.

Remember, Walmart is selling the G1 for $148.88 w/ 2yr agreement.
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thizmobile

Nov 19, 2008, 11:20 PM
Umm...... 3g is just 3rd generation. Not 1 frequency. T-mobile, verizon, Att all have 3 diff 3g frequncy so the g1 working on anything but t-mobile is false. The same reason the 3g iphone doesnt work off t-mobile's 3g network.
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Maarek

Nov 20, 2008, 12:04 PM
AT&T & T-Mobile use GSM. They both share a frequency and AT&T will all 3G usage in some areas.

Verizon and Sprint use CDMA a longer range signal. They've also had 3G alot longer than AT&T and T-mobile which is why all Verizon towers have 3G on them.
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thizmobile

Nov 20, 2008, 1:38 PM
yes both use gsm and can run off of 850/1900. BUT they bth don't use the same 3g frequency. T-mobile G1 uses 1700/2100 and ATT does not support the 1700 band. If you can please link a page supporting the t-mobile and att support the same 3g i'd appreciate it.
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Maarek

Nov 20, 2008, 2:59 PM
AT&T both use the UMTS 2100MHZ band frequency which is the 3G frequency.

AT&T: UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz
T-Mobile: UMTS 1700/2100 MHz
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thizmobile

Nov 20, 2008, 4:48 PM
exactly, in order to roam off ATT's 3g network they would need that 1700 band which they dont support =the G1 can not use att 3g. 3g data transfer is not the same as edge. I wouldn't trust everyone you talk to with t-mobile customer care as they are wrong a lot. Where is eric when you need him to explain this...
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Maarek

Nov 20, 2008, 7:32 PM
this feels like a round of ping pong.

both carriers use the 2100MHz network meaning that both can use each other's 3G towers if "allowed". There are some places where the G1 and other T-Mobile 3G phones will use AT&T's 3G towers.
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TDBearCT

Nov 21, 2008, 2:25 PM
AT&T does not use 2100Mhz on their network. They use UMTS Band II (UMTS 1900) and V (UMTS 850) as shown in this table:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands »

T-Mobile uses UMTS Band IV (UMTS 1700 or AWS) which is not compatible with AT&T's network.

Both AT&T and T-Mobile have phones that support 2100Mhz to allow roaming on foreign carriers networks. It does not mean that their US network supports these frequencies.

The HTC G1 can roam on AT&T's GSM/EDGE network, since both carriers (and their roaming partners) support the same frequencies. That does not guarantee that you can always roam on AT&T (since the agreements are limited to specific geographical areas) and is not 3G.

The T-Mobile salesperson you were talking...
(continues)
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Maarek

Nov 21, 2008, 10:09 PM
Sounds good to me.
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thizmobile

Nov 21, 2008, 3:21 PM
That is where you are wrong, they both can use the 2100 band BUT, 3g does not work the same as edge. You dont transfer data over one frequency. This is the reason both carriers have multiple frequency and not just one. Ex: T-mobile was using JUST 1900 but roamed off 850 in certain places and ATT uses 850 and can roam off 1900. Please go research how 3g data transfer works before reposting.... anybody else can jump in if they can explain it better
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Versed

Nov 24, 2008, 1:31 PM
TMO and AT&T are roaming partners, if its not a TMO service area, chances are you will be roaming onto AT&T. But, you will roaming on the edge network for data. Which to me, doesn't sux but isn't great either.
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Maarek

Nov 24, 2008, 7:26 PM
They are roaming partners, BUT only in certain areas. If they feel that there is a sufficient signal (according to their coverage map) you won't roam. T-Mobile will save it's money and not rent any AT&T towers.

This said. You cannot for the G1 to use AT&T towers.

I'm in AT&T dominated counties with Verizon and spotty Sprint signals, so I'm returning my G1. ☹️
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ariveradse

Nov 26, 2008, 10:55 AM
yes they are roaming partners but nnot 3g roaming partners at least not yet.
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PlayboyPenguin

Dec 2, 2008, 11:07 PM
If the iPhone is an option get it instead of the G1. The iPhone is just a better device quality wise...although I was kind of impressed with the G1 today.
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