HTC G1
G1 uses AT&T's 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.
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.
AT&T: UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz
T-Mobile: UMTS 1700/2100 MHz
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.
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)
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. ☹️