INQ's Chat 3G gets FCC blessing with US 3G bands

We've known for some time now that socially-connected handset maker INQ would like to eventually cross the pond and sell a device or two on North American soil -- and could the Chat 3G be its opening salvo? The phone is old hat for British customers on 3, but until now, we've only seen it quoted with 3G on the Euro-friendly 2100MHz band; this FCC filing, however, clearly shows it rocking 850 and 1900MHz without any mentions of 2100, and we don't think the Chat 3G is a pricey enough set for INQ to spring for the tri-band HSDPA radio. In other words, we might actually be looking at a North America-specific version here, set to launch on AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus, or some combination of the four. In terms of exposure, it's no Kin, but it goes squarely after the same audience -- so the question becomes, would AT&T like to fight back against Verizon with this thing?

[Johnny Rockets Posted May 3rd 2010 5:36PM]

"would AT&T like to fight back against Verizon with this thing?"

I would hope not. It looks like an extremely cheap Blackberry knockoff.

If only that form factor existed with Android, however...

[quitefrankly Posted May 3rd 2010 9:04PM]

@Johnny Rockets
looks like a knockoff HTC Ozone/Dash

[mingkee Posted May 3rd 2010 6:36PM]

A friendly reminder:
It only has AT&T and Rogers 3G bands, which is NOT qualified as all US 3G, which is supposed to include 850/AWS/1900. Whoever says AWS is not US 3G band should check out FCC and phonescoop.

[Chris Ziegler Posted May 3rd 2010 6:47PM]

@mingkee I don't think I've ever heard anyone argue that AWS isn't a US 3G band. Then again, I didn't say the Chat 3G has "all US 3G bands."

[christexaport Posted May 3rd 2010 8:00PM]

@Chris Ziegler
well its time we begin clearly identifying these terms and frequencies, and not just calling them US 3G. It is a slant in favor of at&t and a slight to TMobileUSA and its AWS network.

If you are writing with a voice focused on your US readership, then at least call it at&t 3G, but not US 3G. You never refer to AWS as US 3G, making it seem as if its some kind of fringe frequency, when the entire Americas have adopted AWS for the most part.

We're all becoming sophisticated enough where you can even state 1700/2100 or 850/1900, and pretty soon, readers will become smarter, and you don't have to speak as if to simpletons all of the time.

[mingkee Posted May 3rd 2010 8:58PM]

@Chris Ziegler

Change the title to "...with AT&T and Rogers' bands", problem solved. No confusion at all.