HTC Nexus One blessed by the FCC (updated)

Well lookie here. A little phone by the name of "NEXUSONE" just slipped through the FCC as model number PB99100 built by HTC. The filing also confirms a few more details including microSD expansion, 802.11b/g WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. But the real news comes from looking at the radios: quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE with UMTS/HSUPA on 850/1700/1900 frequencies. In other words, this 3G phone is capable of both 2Mbps up and 7.2Mbps down for both the T-Mobile and AT&T networks in the US of A. If this device is sold unlocked (as rumored), at a reasonable price (as hoped), and with a jaw dropping user experience (as tweeted), well, it could be very disruptive to the status quo. Then again, that's a lot of ifs.

Update: We're going to pull this back a bit. So far the FCC has posted a trio of reports this morning for the Nexus One but the outcome is inconclusive based on our own continued research and from the discussion in our comments. According to the bands listed (I, IV, and VIII) we're definitely looking at a T-Mobile USA device as well as applicability on European networks (among others). The whole AT&T range is in doubt as the test lab incorrectly lists 815-880MHz frequencies as part of band VIII. Hold tight as we dig deeper.

Update 2: Only WCDMA Band IV was tested in the Part 22H / 24E / 27 Report, leading us to believe that the Nexus One is going to be HSPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 (a pretty common tri-band 3G setup) plus quadband EDGE. Sorry, AT&T, but that's how the cookie crumbles.

[hmmmmm Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:26PM]

This will be the phone to beat. Yes people still love the Blackberrys and IPhone. But if you own or have owned an Android phone the only thing you want is phone it to be faster... This phone is that and as a Android owner (G1). There is no other phone I want. You guys can talk about who's gonna sell more, I'm gonna enjoy my fully customizable Nexus one that does what I want when I want.

[iansltx Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:34PM]

I think that the choice of 1700 for North American 3G is odd. There are a double handful of smaller carriers who would love to get this phone, and are working on upgrading their networks to 3G...in the 850/1900 bands. Also, the "big three" Canadian providers are all on 850/1900 and Telcel in Mexico is on those frequencies as well.

So that might leave Wind Mobile for Canadians who want 3G on this phone. For the US, you have T-Mobile if you want 3G with this phone right now. My local telephone co-op has 1700 spectrum but currently they're sitting on it... :/

Granted, 850/1900 GSM inclusion would've probably bumped the price of the phone up significantly, but right now it isn't quite the world phone that everyone wants. Hate to say it, but AT&T could run a "map for that" ad against T-Mobile and be absolutely truthful. Hopefully T-Mobile will change this but right now that's the way things are going.

Hopefully a 850/1900 3G version of this phone comes out so we're not faced with "any US 3G provider as long as it's T-Mobile." Also, 7.2/2.0 HSPA is nice but it would've been awesome if Google had bitten the bullet and asked HTC to put HSPA+ in there. Having a phone that's also usable as a 3.99G modem would be just plain awesome.

[qrius Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:53PM]

so can someone outright state which carrier this will work with? please say sprint.

[Saja Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:56PM]

@qrius

not sprint

[qrius Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:01PM]

@Saja sigh.

[Saja Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:05PM]

@qrius

lol if it will make you feel any better, there are cdma passions

[LazyKid Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:54PM]

Hopefully this Nexus One really is the HTC Dragon:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=2067&c=htc_zoom_2_htc_dragon

and the HTC Passion:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=2067&c=htc_zoom_2_htc_dragon

hopefully will run on AT&T 3G...Sense UI > Stock Android

kinda makes sense since those two names of Dragon and Passion were thrown around so much

[LazyKid Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:56PM]

whoops Passion:

http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=2120&c=htc_passion_htc_bravo

[xBeRx Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:55PM]

Reading this shit in the morning did NOT make my day.

I just want a ATT android phone.

ATT fails.

[Artz86 Posted Dec 14th 2009 12:57PM]

I still think it's pretty lame that htc couldn't have made this phone capable of running w/ the 850 band. I mean, what's the point of having a 'REVOLUTIONARY' phone that can't pick up one of the most important GSM bands in the States. No dis to Tmo, but for a phone that's suppose to be so important, throwing a lil extra icing Tmo's way is a waste, because even though they were the first carrier to have an Android device, they really haven't done much to popularize Google's OS, it's been Vzw that's really pushed Android to the public, and that's partly because they have strength in numbers [that's $$ and subs]. How many myTouch 3G's do you see walking around compared to iPhones or, even now, Droids [moto Droid, Droid Eris]? This is why the least they could have done was give the device a flavor of 850MHz. Man this is frustraiting.

[TheUnknown Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:07PM]

First off Verizon just got 2 brand new Android phones that are better then any other android phones

Droid>>>G1, Cliq, Moment
Eris>>>Hero, Mytouch 3g

Why are people still complaining about Verizon when you just got 2 new android phones that arent even 2 months old and are top of the line???

Also ATT will not be getting an Android phone for a while because they have the Iphone, and incase nobody has figured it out yet or read any blogs Apple and Google dont like each other so Apple is basically saying to ATT not to get an Android phone or else bye to the Iphone

[puth0420 Posted Dec 14th 2009 8:36PM]

@TheUnknown

I personally hated the droid the keyboard sucked and the droid eris is going to be obsolete soon

[PlayFlashArcadecom Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:18PM]

This is bullshit. I hate AT&T. WHY CAN'T WE JUST GET THIS ANDROID PHONE?! I mean seriously... Just this one. :,,,,(

[OCJP Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:30PM]

@PlayFlashArcadecom Because ATT has the iPhone and no other reason. Now that Apple+ATT vs. Google+VZW, T-Mo, Sprint is occurring, ATT will be exclusively iPhone and a bunch of other crap phones until the iPhone goes to other carriers. But I feel your frustration. I really dont give a crap if a phone is sold unlocked, I will never leave Verizon and would totally trade in my new Eris and pay full price for this phone if it were compatible with VZW's network. When it comes down to it, it's all about the carrier warz.

[Artz86 Posted Dec 14th 2009 1:51PM]

w/ out at&t, where would apple have been w/ their iPhone? So, really I doubt it's apple that's holding at&t back from getting an Android device. The truth is, there really aren't that many Android phones that work on at&t's 3G network. There's only one I know of and that's the htc Magic that they have in Canada.

[Saja Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:08PM]

don't be so stuck in here and now mentality.

who knows tmo's streategy? maybe they were the only carrier with a worthy strategy for the immediate future that might lead to better networks.

if its a carrier that's willing to do data only plans, maybe they see some huge market potential in a google phone and is willing to accomodate google's desires for the teleco landscape.

[Johnny Tremaine Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:38PM]

So, with the Nexus One only using T-Mobile's 3G band, I guess it's really not carrier free, not really. You'll be paying a full, unlocked price for a phone, that's essentially locked into one carrier. I mean, unless you want a phone like this on AT&T's EDGE, which I'm sure would be a hair-tearing experience.


And since T-Mobile 3G coverage, is shall we say, less than ubiquitous, it's a deal breaker.

[Saja Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:45PM]

@(Unverified)

well i'm assuming that you'll be locked into tmo's data plan and coverage, but your voice would be covered with voip.

so, you'd end up shelling some bucks for this phone (who knows it could be cheaper)

and you'd only pay just for data.

if that is the case, i would switch, because although i want a smartphone, i'm not willing to shell out close to 80 to 100 for data and voice.

i think that would drive a lot of people over to tmo, who could then use this new revenue to develop their 3g network.

this would in turn force other carriers to offer similar data only plans..

ugh.. i dont know. now i'm depressed.

[Johnny Tremaine Posted Dec 14th 2009 2:53PM]

Ya' know, the only way T-Mobile is going to get around the problem of limited 3G service in the U.S., other than the pricey prospect of building out a huge network, is to buy another carrier----Sprint. Then they could offer smartphones with dual GSM and CDMA 3G bands.

There were rumors about this happening a few months ago, but nothing progressed.

[choffy21 Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:09PM]

@(Unverified) T-Mobile is going to be launching HSPA soon (by years end), which boosts speeds to 7.2 Mbps. They're adding cities everyday, so T-Mobile is a dark horse carrier.

[CeluGeek Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:00PM]

How come the IMEI wasn't blacked out from that table (update 2)?

[choffy21 Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:05PM]

What do AT&T people expect? They've bash Verizon and Android the past month, yet you think they'll get the best Android phone on the market (in terms of specs)?

[xBeRx Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:11PM]

I'll admit, this phone is really badass.

But it must really suck for those of you who are waiting for THE android phone.

At least as an iPhone user, I won't feel left behind every two weeks by Engadget when a new android phone hits the wild..

[Saja Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:40PM]

@xBeRx

yeah you might be right. but you're paying 200 to 300 dollars (subsidized) for every brand new iphone while extending your contract for another two years with att. lol

i'd rather be waiting for THE android phone while having a decent android phone with latest android software on a better carrier (ie: eris on verizon)

[zachavm Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:22PM]

Could this be it? Could the time be near at hand? Are we finally going to start getting reasonably priced unlocked phones ($400 bucks and under) being sold direct to the consumer? Yes, big if but if it's true then the day of controlling your own hardware and simply selecting a service provider may be near at hand. Viva la Revolution! End to corporate subsidies!! Power to the consumer!!!

[androidboi Posted Dec 14th 2009 3:25PM]

Oh yeah!

[ceric20 Posted Dec 14th 2009 5:00PM]

That would be stupid on Google's part just to have this phone T-mobile... people complain about AT&T's network... T-Mobile is even worse with less coverage! Unreal...

[mulda71 Posted Dec 15th 2009 8:16AM]

@(Unverified)
exactly. its ridiculous.

[elijahblake Posted Dec 14th 2009 5:40PM]

I'm very IMPATIENTLY waiting on this phone... And if only comes to Tmobile, that would be 1 carrier I'd never leave AT&T for.. When I think of Google, I think of innovation/very smart, game changing. So there would be no reason not to offer an unlocked version for both AT&T and Tmobile. Maybe it'll be two seperate phones, maybe not..

Then of course release the same thing unlocked for Sprint/Verizon.

This would be the only logical move if they really want to dominate.. It would be a first, which Google leads the way in doing Big moves like this.

I really hope and believe that is there plan... Sign me up!!

[deecee52 Posted Dec 29th 2009 4:24PM]

@elijahblake

I agree, a flavor for everyone would be huge. Each of us chooses a Devil - I mean carrier - for a variety of reasons and considerations. Being able to choose a phone and take it anywhere is something to look forward to. I say that as a non-iphone consumer, stuck for a variety of reasons with AT&T.

Right now, it's like having to buy certain computers in order to get internet service from certain providers.

I'm hoping this phone will be one step to get us beyond this.

[inhuman Posted Dec 14th 2009 6:46PM]

hell yeah tmobile.
i wont get raped in the @ss by the monthly plans.

[juicykaboosie Posted Dec 14th 2009 7:08PM]

any last words, iPhone?

[juicykaboosie Posted Dec 14th 2009 7:14PM]

according to update 2 this phone will make calls and do 3G data on all major U.S. networks (Verizon, AT&T and Sprint). goosebumps.

[awfulwaffle Posted Dec 14th 2009 8:03PM]

@juicykaboosie no it doesn't WCDMA = UMTS

[DreamcastDC Posted Dec 14th 2009 7:58PM]

Whats the point of selling the phone unlocked when you can just use the phone with just one 3g carrier, the phone has fail even before it released.

[puth0420 Posted Dec 14th 2009 8:33PM]

Wait does the WCDMA thingy mean Verizon might still have a chance to get this phone and reverse their awfull mistake?

[PlasmaDragon007 Posted Dec 14th 2009 9:41PM]

@puth0420 WCDMA/UMTS (which are pretty much the same thing: WCDMA is speed of transmission, like EDGE, GPRS, etc., and UMTS is the services, like videocall, broadband streaming, etc.) is far better than the others, since they are the "true" 3G. WCDMA/UMTS is GSM evolution. CDMA is a technology like GSM, except it's connection speeds are slightly better that GSM's and GSM is A LOT safer than CDMA (SIM cards, non-existant in CDMA, prevent line-cloning). GSM and CDMA both have 3G, but in different ways:
- GSM's is called WCDMA (for data) and UMTS (for line-up technology)
- CDMA's is called CDMA2000 EV-DO, which is only for data. Its other evolution - CDMA2000 EV-DV - is in jeopardy, since most of the big mobile companies (Nokia, SE, Motorola and Siemens) aren't backing up CDMA as they used to.

[Loick Posted Dec 15th 2009 10:21AM]

@puth0420 i heard though the unofficial grapevine there maybe CDMA variants coming out as well
http://androidandme.com/2009/12/news/android-rumor-report-nexus-one-to-cost-199/
maybe not verizon:
http://www.androidguys.com/2009/12/14/google-launching-nexus-one-with-help-of-t-mobile/
heres more unofficial buzz:
http://www.androidguys.com/2009/12/14/reuters-nexus-one-available-directly-through-google-website-january-5/

[EvilGenius Posted Dec 14th 2009 8:39PM]

I'll first say that I'm by no means an ATT fan, but lets think about this as far as networks...comparatively speaking, ATT's 3G network looks to be significantly larger and more established than TMo's, I have a sinking feeling that if all of this turns real and this is a TMo-only phone, I'll be one of the first in line to jump carriers for it, but what of the TMo network getting that crush of people and data all at once? I fear a network that is scaled even less than ATT's completely imploding under the strain.

[numbnuts Posted Dec 15th 2009 1:11AM]

Available January 5th? For real?
http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNWNA011820091214

[Jono20 Posted Dec 15th 2009 1:53AM]

@numbnuts

Wow can you imagine? talk about setting the bar for 2010!

[Jay Posted Dec 15th 2009 2:31AM]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Please release an AT&T version!!

[Loick Posted Dec 15th 2009 3:48AM]

SOOOOOOO....which band is Sprint??

[Loick Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:00AM]

so isnt WCDMA Band IV a US band al la Sprint or Verizon people???!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands

[PlasmaDragon007 Posted Dec 15th 2009 6:09AM]

@Loick If you look up a few post's I explain the difference. GSM's is called WCDMA (for data) and UMTS (for line-up technology). CDMA's is called CDMA2000 EV-DO, which is only for data. Its other evolution - CDMA2000 EV-DV. Lot's of people get confused with the WCDMA and take the CDMA part and think that it will work for sprint or verizon, when WCDMA is just really Gsm/UMTS. The WCDMA band IV your talking a bout is a 1700Mhz band which T-mobile is only one is U.S. that uses that frequency. So if you look at all the frequency bands you can see that-

[PlasmaDragon007 Posted Dec 15th 2009 6:19AM]

@Loick - the it will be 900/1700/2100. the 1700/2100 being it will work on T-Mobiles 3G network fully. I do hope that this phone is released on the CDMA side for sprint and verizon people. I myself am happy cause I have waited forever to replace my G1.