We’ll file this one in the "see it to believe it" category. According to TmoNews, T-mobile is going to enable 3G data in its 27 top markets on October 1st. These top markets include most major metropolitan areas of the country.

I’m leaning towards not trusting this news since it makes no sense to actually have the network in place but wait for a special date to actually turn it on. The only explanation is that T-mobile is planning a big launch for their 3G service, which might include a new lineup of 3G capable phones.

Either way, it’s all horribly late, but I guess "better late than never" really does apply here.

Source: TmoNews

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WiMax has long been seen as a potential competitor to cellular-based data networks, allowing a combination of high speeds and reasonable range.  Plus roaming between access points is supposed to be way easier to manage than normal WiFi connections.  Of course, it also requires a whole new infrastructure to be built out and it isn’t backwards compatible with other technologies such as WiFi, so it is a bit of a hard sell to drive adoption.  Still, companies are developing solutions.  Sprint has been working on their XOHM network for a while now, with a launch expected any day now or in several months, depending on who is giving statements to the press on any given day.

Things like this seem to take off more quickly in Europe, with more densely populated cities and a populace generally more willing to adopt the new technologies.  And so it is that Amsterdam was the target of a WiMax network launch this week.  With access priced at 20 Euro per month and unlimited download capacity the offering is priced lower than most other broadband options, so they’ve got a chance to take over a decent market share.  At the same time, however, the company’s management acknowledges that unless they are able to expand their coverage area and their subscriber base pretty significantly that they won’t be able to stick around too long.

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This summer is slowly turning into the hottest mobile season ever. All major manufacturers have at least one "super phone" in the pipeline. Here are some of the upcoming devices side by side:

(1) EVDO Rev.A.

(2) Initial release will be on Quadband GSM, a CDMA release is planned for later this year.

(3) The OS on the Sprint Instinct is "closed", no system currently exists to develop or add applications.

(4) The iPhone, HTC Diamond and SonyErcisson Xperia X1 all support Microsoft Activesync email, which requires a third party service. The iPhone will support the upcoming Apple MobileMe service which includes push email ($99/year).

(5) No US operator has openly committed to releasing this phone on their network.

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BestBuy isn’t exactly known for its vast assortment of cutting edge technology, so the announcement that they plan to sell the Newest HTC Touch smartphone is a bit of a surprise.

The Touch Dual is built upon the same size as all other HTC Touch devices (and others like the Sprint Touch and the Verizon XV6900), but adds a nice sliding numeric keypad.

The reason I ask "why" is because the Touch Dual is "so last week" and the internal 3G frequencies won’t even work in the US. It’s almost like HTC are trying to get rid of them so they can start selling something better.

BestBuy HTC Touch Dual

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Coolsmartphone managed to get their lucky hands on the new HTC Diamond, well before anyone else. They are currently on day 3 with the device, and have some great videos posted.

If the thought of a Windows Powered VGA 3G WiFi GPS device turns you on (it shouldn’t) or if you are just interested in seeing what Apple will be up against this summer, then head on over to their reviews:

Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3

P.S. Some UK stores list the Diamond as being available around June 9th.

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At present I’m in a hotel room with a NovAtel XU870 on AT&T and a Sprint EX720 in a major city that’ll remain nameless. The location of the room (corner room, many buildings around, back-side of the hotel, facing an alley, mid-level floor) ensures ‘interesting’ coverage. So, how do the fabled titans of WWAN stack up?

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Originally Posted by Internal Sprint Memo

"Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred and to deny, terminate, modify, or suspend service if usage exceeds 5GB per month in total or 300MB/month while off-network roaming. Check your subscriber agreement rights on Sprint.com"

It looks like Sprint will be the last of the big 3G operators to move to a capped data transfer service. Both AT&T and Verizon have had documented limits on their broadband data services, but Sprint was always the best of the bunch both on speed and terms of service.

But clearly all their new "unlimited" plans are costing them more data than they planned for, because on July 31st they will be introducing a 5Gb monthly limit. Of course, this is all speculation off a bulletin board of Sprint users, but most information from that source has been spot on in the past.

Thumbs down Sprint, thumbs WAY down.

Source: Sprintusers.com via Gizmodo.

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Remember my rant last week about the lack of prepaid 3G data in the US? Well AT&T must have read it, because as of today they are offering an unlimited data package for their GoPhone (semi-prepaid) plans.

You’ll still need to pay a minimum monthly fee of $29.99 to keep the GoPhone plan active, but for $19.95 a month you’ll be able to add unlimited data. some people have reported that AT&T will also let you add data to their $19.95 GoPhone plan, but that requires a call to customer service. In the end, you’ll have a no commitment 3G data plan for $50 a month.

Of course, you are still on your own when it comes to getting a mobile broadband card or a phone with tethering capability.

To order, first click here, then select "pick your own plan". Then simply select a plan, a phone and the unlimited data add-on. The cheapest available 3G phone is the Nokia N75 (for $259), so I suggest picking the cheapest phone, then ordering a separate 3G data card (like this $209 Expresscard).

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If you read this article, then you’ll know how to pick the right mobile broadband operator. So now it’s time to pick a modem. The modem is what you’ll use to actually connect to the mobile broadband network.

If life were easy, you’d have one choice, and it would always be the right one. But in the world of gadgets nothing is ever easy, so you have 4 (or 5) different card formats to chose from. And since you are usually locking yourself into a 2 year contract, you’ll want to be sure that you pick the right equipment.

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I always knew that we were getting a bad deal in the US when it comes to mobile broadband; but an ad in this months T3 shows just how crappy things are.

UK users can get a 1Gb broadband account, with a free modem for just GBP10 a month (around $20). Extra data is available for a little more ($30 for 3Gb or $50 for 7Gb). The modem is free, shipping is free, there is no activation fee, and the contact is just 18 months.

For comparison, here are the current US mobile broadband (stand-alone) rates:

All these rates are based on a 2 year agreement with the cheapest available modem option.

I’m sure that a $20/month 1Gb plan would sell like crazy in the US, which is probably why none of the operators would dare sell it. Imagine selling something your customers actually want…

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