Nexus One for AT&T's 3G bands likely in the works

By all appearances, Google's trying to break Android free of the surly bonds of the manufacturers and carriers that support it, opening its own online store and selling unlocked Nexus Ones to anyone willing to pony up the $529. Problem is, the Nexus One as we know it today is only available in a configuration that supports North American 3G on AWS spectrum, meaning you've got to go with the States' fourth-largest carrier if you want to blaze -- you've got no other option. That's not very "open," is it, Google?

That brings us to an FCC finding today. Take a look at the two labels above; the one on the right comes from the current Nexus One. The label on the left, meanwhile, is physically identical and comes from a new filing for a device with FCC ID NM899110. The old Nexus One has ID NM899100, so this new device is just a single digit off -- likely a variant of the existing model. If you look into the RF reports a bit, you'll immediately notice that the new handset supports 3G on WCDMA Bands I, II, and V, meaning that it'll work on AT&T (and Rogers, Bell, and Telus for the Canadians in the room) along with most of Europe. Same label style, nearly identical model ID, different bands -- we think we know what's going on here. Google, your move.

[Thanks, wonderbread]

[Dayson Posted Jan 30th 2010 8:11PM]

One day late on the news! I bought my Nexus One yesterday and now what I really want comes out.

[RJMcKenzie Posted Feb 2nd 2010 10:03AM]

@Dayson I just got mine in yesterday, I seen this article and setup a return right away. The person at HTC doing the return confirmed that there was gonna be a AT&T Nexus One but couldn't give me a date.

[Trocks797 Posted Jan 30th 2010 10:42PM]

Just curious... besides contracts holding people back, why would you want this on AT&T when its available on Verizon? To me, it seems most of the problems plaguing peoples iPhone 3G problems would just follow them on the Nexus. Why not use the same phone on Verizon's superior network?

[Jono20 Posted Jan 31st 2010 12:49AM]

rogers in canada!!!!!!!!! YES!

[gonzo Posted Jan 31st 2010 1:41AM]

@Trocks
Your argument assumes that what iPhone complains about is AT&T's fault. What if it's NOT all AT&T's fault. A good smartphone like Apple's iPhone having problem with AT&T 3G network doesn't mean a superphone like Nexus One having the same 3G issue.

[bvalentine Posted Feb 1st 2010 1:31PM]

So does the new version of the phone support 3G for both AT&T AND TMobile?

[RJMcKenzie Posted Feb 2nd 2010 10:01AM]

Confirmed, I got this from an HTC support person when I submitted my Nexus One in for a return. He told me that they is gonna be a Nexus One for AT&T but he couldn't release a date or a timeframe. So now I wait til the AT&T version comes back out til I get my Nexus One back.

[killplay Posted Feb 9th 2010 8:24PM]

@RJMcKenzie Maybe the support guy got his info from Engadget. ;) Just saying, "coming, but no date" is pretty much the info we have already. I'm dying for something more concrete

[McHale Posted Mar 6th 2010 3:32PM]

This. Is. NOT. The. Nexus. One. It's the HTC Desire slated to be released on AT&T soon.