T-Mobile's EDGE to hit the air by the end of September

It was kind of an open secret at this point, but just as all the carriers are working on their 3G networks, poky little puppy T-Mobile's finally made it for sure solidly official that they're planning on EDGE rollout by the end of September. Yes, of this year, smart aleck—that is, just in time to get stomped by Sprint's EV-DO and shortly before Cingular's data-gone-gangbusters HSDPA network lights up. Still, you get what you pay for, and if they're smart enough to offer their EDGE service at, say, a $15 all-you-can-eat rate, they might just have something going for 'em. Looks like those few EDGE-capable devices they've got on their roster might finally get put to use, eh?

[Thanks, MobilePaddy]

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Makes sense since all their flagship phones (well two of them, ha!) will be sporting EDGE, and if they dont offer the network with the device, who wouldnt switch to Cing just for having the option... I didnt think so! HTC:Wiz here I come.

[Will @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

About time they announce it. I've been getting faster EDGE speeds around the T-Mo network for a few months now. The last two months or so the coverage has really grown and I can't recall getting a poky GPRS connection in over a month.

[Blue Balloon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I think I'll give a try on T-Mobile with unlimited data plan when EDGE is available. If that work. Then I can finally say good by to Blue Cingular acct.

[tino @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Meh. I have been getting edge (100-130kps) in New York T-Mobile on my Treo for a while now. But if they offer a CF edge card for cheap I may look into it.

[Vpr611 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I tried the service in Saint Louis, which is EDGE ready and if I was lucky I would see a burst of upto 150k however normal speeds were more like 20-30k which was way to slow for what I needed to use it for.

[uhdh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

does that mean tmobile will get the pebl i heard some rumors about that

[Buzzcut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Dude, EDGE service is NEVER going to be $15 bucks a month (okay, not this year, at least, or next).

These networks cost BILLIONS to set up. At $15, they lose money on every bit sent over the network, and you can't make that up on volume!

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Ah... that might explain the delay of the T-Mo Treo 650 rollout! My contract expires in October, and suddenly the decision to leave won't be so simple.

[jimmie johnson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

What happens to all there sidekick users and will this effect them in a negative or positive way.

[Timmay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

What happens to all there sidekick users and will this effect them in a negative or positive way.

They'll cry b.c they are using a data system that's 5 years old...

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Ooo, I want to re-sign with T-Mo and get a Sidekick with EDGE and... oh wait, T-Mo's coverage is complete crap here in NYC. Never mind. =P

[interlard @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I was looking forward to this, but according to some comments I should have been getting "EDGE speeds" here in NYC for some time. So maybe I didn't notice.

I was thinking of switching to a faster network (ie, Cingular: the phone's gotta work outside of the US otherwise what's the point) but perhaps the lesson is: I won't notice the speedup anyway.

What a strange marketing ploy: disappoint your customers so they won't be motivated to leave. :-)

[pcjnyc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

"T-Mo's coverage is complete crap here in NYC"

Where were you? Let me guess, you were inside the Metropolitan Opera for weeks on end. That's one of the very few places in Manhattan that I don't get a signal.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I have T-Mobile and have the Edge network in SLC. I am using it on my unlocked Treo 650 and it rocks. I am actually entering this on my Treo. Oh yeah, and for the guy skeptic on price, it IS $20 per month.

[Kirk Sexton @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I have an unlocked TREO 650 in the Tampa, FL area - no significant change here yet. BTW, my T-Mobile rep recently told me that the TREO 650 will NOT be adopted by T-Mobile, they will be pursuing other platforms.

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

For those that don't know if they are getting edge or not on T-mobile using the Treo 650. Just look for the arrow symbol where your reception bar is. If the arrow (like a triangle) is there then it's transmitting via Edge. I wonder though, I currently have the $19.95 Unlimited internet with VPN. Will they just convert this to Edge or is edge just enabled on this plan for trial?