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AWS-capable Nokia 1606 flip phone arrives on Cricket
Nokia 1606's isn't a new creature, but it is a new member of the quickly expanding Cricket family. The AWS-capable flip phone pretty much sticks to the basic, boasting just a 160 x 128 resolution display (internal) / 96 x 32 pixel monochrome LCD (external), a voice recorder, 3.5-hours of talk time (11 days in standby) and weighs just 2.68-ounces. If that's enough to suit you, head to nearest Cricket shop and hand over $129.99 plus any applicable taxes.[Via phonescoop]
T-Mobile's data coverage maps now have added 3G flavor
Check it out, from this zoom level Chicago's looking flush as far as T-Mobile 3G is concerned -- yeah, that's right, it seems they've gotten to a point where they're actually willing to show it off. We're betting T-Mobile's Android-based G1 announcement that's set for tomorrow was the impetus for this update, and we suspect we'll learn more about the network then. Feel free to put the site through its paces in your neck of the woods and let us know if you're one of the lucky places. Hit the read link to play with the map, but make sure you tick the "data coverage" option at the bottom of the page first.[Via SlashPhone]
T-Mobile to have 3G live in 21 markets by end of October
If you've invested in one of those Sony Ericsson TM506s being offered by T-Mobile, it certainly helps if you've got some place to take advantage of its carrier-first HSDPA support -- and while it's going to be a while (a good, long while) before you find it blanketing every square inch of T-Mobile's coverage, you'll at least have a few more cities in which to play by the time that all-important G1 launches next month. Thirteen cities have officially launched so far, with another 8 coming online in the coming weeks, another 7 beyond that by the end of the year, and "meaningful expansion to additional customers and markets through 2009." In case you'd like 'em to be showing a little more hustle here (and who wouldn't?), it looks like the government is still holding things up; T-Mobile specifically mentions in its press release that it's continuing to "work closely and effectively together" with the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and Defense to speed things along and free up AWS spectrum as quickly as possible. In the meantime, follow the break for the full list of cities that'll be 3G-ready by the end of 2008.
Sony Ericsson's TM506: T-Mobile AWS 3G support included
When Sony Ericsson's TM506 was leaked earlier this month, there was no mention made of the flip's support of AWS 3G. Thankfully (thankfully!), the official launch brings along confirmed support for the protocol. SE is linking up with T-Mobile USA once again, providing a stylishly small handset that sports a 2-megapixel camera, built-in A-GPS (TeleNav), stereo Bluetooth support, an M2 card slot, multimedia playback, outer / inner displays and 9.5-hours of GSM talk time (250-hours on standby). Curiously, no price is mentioned, but you can find out for yourself when this lands in stores early next month.
ZTE's AWS-packin' C79 now on MetroPCS
True, ZTE's C79 clamshell becomes one of the relatively few phones released to market to support CDMA on the AWS frequency band in addition to the old-skool cellular and PCS bands, but to buyers, that doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot at this point. Instead, they'll be more concerned (and rightfully so, may we add) about the stylish red shell, the 1.3-megapixel camera, 220 x 176 primary display, external music controls, and 69MB of memory on top of a microSD slot. Strangely, there's no EV-DO involved, but this is MetroPCS we're talking about -- which also means we're met head on with a contract-free price of $169. It's available now.
FCC chairman dreams of free mobile internet for all Americans
Just over a year ago, we were all making bitter beer faces at FCC chairman Kevin Martin for not going along with a delightful sounding "free internet" plan. Now, it seems the main man's tune has changed. During a recent interview, Martin stated that there was a "social obligation in making sure everybody could participate in the next generation of broadband services because, increasingly, that's what people want." He's reportedly looking to attach a free mobile broadband requirement to the AWS-3 spectrum that's set to be auctioned next year, which would require the winner to allocate 25% for gratis access. 'Course, we wouldn't get our hopes us for this to actually go down like it surely is playing out in your mind just now, but we won't fault you for dreamin'.[Via phonescoop]
Sony Ericsson's TM506 for T-Mobile spied in FCC pages
We normally throw FCC goodness your way on Friday, but on occasion we can't help spilling the beans when they do. Today's treat seems to be a Sony Ericsson handset called the TM506, which, from outward appearances looks to be a clone of the Z780, but packs a wee bit of AWS love under its hood. Bedecked with T-Mobile branding and packed with goodies like Bluetooth, A-GPS, some type of camera, dual-band GSM, 1700 / 2100 WCDMA, and all wrapped in an alluring metallic green housing. Nice of Sony Ericsson to tack the TM -- which we're guessing stands for T-Mobile -- onto its set, perhaps this is evidence of Sony Ericsson attempting to rekindle a relationship after many years of nothing doing? Now that Sony Ericsson's doing its part, all we need is T-Mobile to follow suit with some fresh 3G airwaves for this to ride on. Go team. [Via PhoneScoop]
Nokia intros a couple CDMA flips, say hello to the 1606 and 3606
While Nokia didn't show up to CTIA with guns-a-blazin', they did offer up a couple new CDMA sets with AWS bandwidth in the Nokia 1606 (pictured on left) and the 3606. Planned for release in Q3 this year -- no pricing info available, for either -- the 1606 is low-end character packing 8MB of memory, flashlight -- with dedicated button, ooh-la-la -- 1.8-inch internal 262k color and external monochromatic display, and 3.5 hours / 10 days talk and standby time. The Nokia 3606 holds more tech joy under its hood -- but is still a lower-end device -- sporting a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, 15MB internal memory with expansion via microSD, and up to 5 hours of continuous music playback. We've not heard who the lucky carrier will be for either of these, but we expect an announcement can't be too far off.
Nokia Siemens Networks unveils LTE solution for North America
Make no mistake, LTE is quite likely the buzzword at CTIA 2008. That being the case, Nokia Siemens Networks is making sure it's part of the in-crowd by introducing a "LTE solution for radio and core networks [that] will enable operators to deploy WCDMA / HSPA and LTE in all major frequency bands, including the 700MHz and 1.7 / 2.1GHz bands that are of particular importance in North America." Apparently the outfit is assuming that winners of the recent spectrum auction will be champing at the bit to deploy new networks / services, and while we can only hope it's correct, the equipment to make it happen is seemingly ready to roll.[Via PhoneScoop]
Cricket emits SCH-r430 MyShot / SCH-r210 Spex AWS handsets
The collection of AWS handsets just keeps getting bigger, as Cricket is announcing a pair of its own in the SCH-r430 MyShot and SCH-r210 Spex. As for the former, you can expect a flip phone design, 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, web browsing / messaging capabilities and oodles of mundaneness. As for the candybar-styled Spex, you'll find built-in Bluetooth, a 1.5-inch 128 x 128 resolution display, speakerphone support and little more. Granted, both phones are tri-band -- meaning that they'll play nice in PCS, Cellular and AWS markets -- and thankfully, you won't be asked to take out a second mortgage to call one your own. The duo is available now for $149.99 and $119.99, respectively.[Via PhoneScoop]
ZTE pops out C78 / C79 handsets for US market
As the usual jollifications at CTIA roll on, ZTE has announced a new duo of ho hum handsets for the US market. Hot on the heels of the C88 comes the affordable C78 candybar and C79 flip phone. As for the former, you can expect a VGA camera, MMS / internet browsing capabilities and built-in Bluetooth, while the latter packs a 1.3-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, a 2-inch display and a microSD expansion slot. Both units operate on the AWS frequency bands in addition to the PCS and Cellular bands, but unfortunately, mum's the word on carrier / pricing information.
Forget the "A" -- Motorola's MOTORZR V3s is AWS capable
At this point, we're simply running out of metaphors for the egregious ways in which Motorola is abusing the industrial design of the original RAZR. Yes, Moto, we get it, it was a game-changing phone -- in 2004. Heck, we'll even give it a free pass for 2005 and 2006. But a new one in 2008? Seriously? Sure enough, the new V3s variant rocks out with CDMA support on the 800, 1900, and 1700MHz bands, making this the first RAZR of any sort to support AWS. Cricket just launched its first AWS phone, so we wouldn't be surprised to see this one land over there, too. Oh wait, our bad, Motorola did change one thing about this phone: the "A" has been dropped from the name. The manual calls out the V3s as the "MOTORZR," possibly in preparation for a broad new marketing campaign that's virtually identical to the old, but with even fewer vowels. Your guess is as good as ours.
Cricket launches first AWS CDMA handset
It doesn't look like much, but it's the innards of UTStarcom's unassuming CDM7126 flip that makes it a superstar. It turns out that this is the very first CDMA phone to launch in the US on AWS bandwidth, meaning that in addition to the typical 850 and 1900MHz support, this one adds in a little extra coverage punch via the new 1700MHz spectrum that T-Mobile is also sharing for its 3G services. We spied the CDM7126 at CES earlier this year -- hence the somewhat unusual picture -- and while we can't find it hiding out on carrier partner Cricket's website, residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma should be able to march into stores as soon as today to pick 'er up. Don't get too excited, though; other than the noteworthy use of AWS, the phone lacks EV-DO and an external display. Yikes![Via Phone Scoop]
Nokia 3555 on tap for T-Mobile next month?
It's no secret that Nokia's waiting in the wings with its low-end 3555 flip for T-Mobile, but here's the thing: as low-end as it may be, it's still 3G, which makes it a blockbuster by T-Mobile standards. The latest intelligence indicate that T-Mob's liking March 17 as the retail release date for the phone, featuring myFaves support, stereo Bluetooth, microSD slot, speakerphone, and a VGA cam -- not bad, considering the fact that it'll almost certainly be within a few bucks of free on contract. Perhaps the best part of this whole document, though, is the verbiage directed at sales staff imploring that the 3555 be sold "without any reference to UMTS," and if the customer specifically asks about the phone's 3G capabilities, there are a few canned responses (nothing we don't already know, really) designed to shut the customer up and get 'em out the door with a smile on their face and a 3555 in their pocket.[Thanks, Mumbo]
Nokia 3555 coming to T-Mobile too, sez FCC
It's awesome how Nokia's 3555 looks like a giant beatin' stick when it's unfurled, but rest assured, it's little more than a low-end 3G flip. We'd heard a while back that the phone would be finding its way to AT&T to slot in underneath the midrange 6555, and it turns out they're going to try to kill two birds with one clamshell by offering it on T-Mobile, too. Like we said, AT&T's 3555 is 3G ready, and happily, the FCC documentation for this version shows the presence of 1700MHz support implying that it'll rock out on T-Mobile's 3G network just the same -- what few slivers of it are up and running, anyhow. Then again, exactly what is it that we're going to be doing with 3G on that cute little display?%Gallery-12964%
Western Hemisphere getting behind AWS for 3G
There isn't necessarily any single morsel of news here, but 3G Americas -- the group responsible for keeping GSM on the up and up this side of the pond -- just wants everyone to know that it likes AWS' chances for gaining ground in this part of the world for new HSPA (and eventually, LTE) deployments. Yanks may know AWS better as the weird flavor of bandwidth T-Mobile has gotten stuck with for deploying its desperately overdue 3G services; it utilizes spectrum in both the 1700 and 2100MHz spaces to push bits around, and while it hasn't yet been commercially deployed on a wide scale, the consortium points out that AWS spectrum auctions are in the pipe for Canada, Chile, and Mexico, among others. Naturally, that's very good news for anyone who finds themselves shopping for an AWS handset down the road, seeing how broader support across borders leads to broader manufacturer support -- a fact that 3G Americas is also quick to note. European and Asian buy-in is another matter altogether, but we'll take what we can get.[Via Phone Scoop]
T-Mobile's 3G "crawl-out" blamed on government
T-Mobile is apparently in a tizzy over the apparent slow pace which the government -- like law enforcement and homeland security -- is moving to free up the 1700 MHz spectrum that it spent heavily on in last year's AWS auction. After spending a cool $4.1 billion on 120 licenses for spectrum and earmarking another $2.1 billion for the UMTS / HSDPA upgrades, we get that they're peeved. Unfortunately for T-Mob, $1.1 billion of the AWS auction blood money will be used for the government's spectrum shift and they have up to six years to get it done -- though in T-Mobile defense, they've offered up $50 million to help speed up the process. It looks like it will be a tough slog for the last-place-in the-3g-race crew, here's hoping things work out soonish.[Via PhoneScoop]
Nokia E90 with American 3G? Not looking good
So we've been sitting on this whole E90 controversy for a few days here, trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. Fact is, a part of us is hoping that we can will an HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900-sporting Nokia E90 into existence, but we shouldn't have to; the need for firms like Nokia and Sony Ericsson to wake up and spend the extra few bucks to shove global 3G radios into every last one of their phones is painfully obvious. Anyway, numerous readers have pointed out that the document in the E90's FCC filing referencing WCDMA on the 850, 1700, and 1900MHz bands is merely pointing out (for no good reason, may we add) the FCC's own radiation limits on those bands, and is probably not indicative of what bands are present within any particular device. We personally wouldn't think the FCC needs to be reminded of those limits in a test report, but perhaps we'll let the technicians be technicians here and we'll stick to our writin' gig. If y'all hear any good news about Nokia coming to its senses on this one, please be pals and pass on the good news -- but in the meantime, we'll go back to our 3G bellyaching.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile details 3G plans
As expected, T-Mobile has provided full disclosure today on exactly what it plans to do with all that juicy spectrum picked up in this summer's FCC auctions. Having been left out of the 3G race put on by its fellow national carriers, it comes as no surprise that T-Mobile has officially committed to rolling out UMTS / HSDPA on the 1700 and 2100MHz bands at a cost of some $2.1 billion. Unfortunately, the specrum is a few megahertz off from the UMTS 2100 used elsewhere, meaning existing 3G handsets designed to operate in Europe will be relegated to doing their 2.5G thing when roaming stateside; that being said, beggars can't be choosers, and we're sure T-Mobile is ecstatic to simply have somewhere to drop some next-gen data. Perhaps understanding that the wireless customer base at large can be both fickle and impatient, the nation's fourth-largest carrier is wasting no time getting its 3G equipment set up -- the rollout begins, like, now (they claim half of NYC's hardware is already in place) and will continue through the next several years, with compatible handsets and peripherals hitting retail sometime in mid 2007. Seeing how we're writing this very article from a 3G connection ourselves, all we can say is that it can't come a moment too soon.[Thanks, Hrag S.]
FCC spectrum auction ends after 161 rounds
We're sure that you've been following the FCC's blow-by-blow coverage of the AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum auction as closely as you would the "So You Think You Can Dance" competition, but just in case you've been busy for the last 161 rounds of bidding, we're here to let you know that the results are in and the winners have been crowned (assuming that they cough up the millions or billions of dollars they've pledged, that is). This wireless horse race has remained mostly unchanged for the last few dozen rounds -- after the DirecTV-Echostar consortium known as Wireless DBS dropped out of the running, even we mostly lost interest -- with T-Mobile finally emerging as the seemingly largest beneficiary. For a cool $4.1 billion (yes, that's billion with a "b"), the Mob picked up 120 licenses covering most of the US, a move that was essential for the company to kick-start its rather slow entrance into the 3G data game. Other big winners included Spectrum Co. and AWS Wireless, who picked up 137 and 154 licenses, respectively, along with Verizon (13 blocks covering most of the Eastern US) and MetroPCS, which snatched up 8 licenses in key areas such as Texas and Detroit. Overall, 104 bidders made it through the entire auction to pick up a grand total of 1,087 licenses, with the biggest winner of all being the good ole US government: the total amount of loot that was bid reached a staggering $13.7 billion, which is basically found money considering that everyone was simply battling over the right to use invisible radio spectrum. If you're at all interested in a more specific run-down of who got what and for how much, hit the Read link to check out the auction home page, where the FCC has thoughtfully posted about a million pages of charts, tables, and graphs laying it all out in excruciatingly boring detail.[Via MocoNews]
