View this article at: http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/04/29/t.mo.3g.may.come.this.week/
Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008 4:30pm
T-Mobile 3G live this week, Sony phones in July?
T-Mobile's long-delayed 3G cellular Internet access will first be available as early as this week, says new information from BGR. The company's proprietary 1,700MHz service will reportedly become active on Thursday and should be available for subscribers in at least New York City; separate rumors also have the faster service available in Los Angeles and Miami in the near future. Other regional launches aren't yet known but should take place over coming months.

Prices for data should remain the same at T-Mobile, though using the service will require a handset capable of using the provider's specific service. Several devices have already been quietly released with the feature, including Nokia's 3555 and 6263 as well as other mid-range devices from Samsung, and are expected to have access to 3G immediately when coverage is available.

The American branch of T-Mobile should also play host to a number of important launches over the next few months, according to multiple leaks from TmoNews. Leading the news is word that Sony Ericsson phones will return to the service after a long absence starting with the Z780 on July 12th. Codenamed "Bella," the device doesn't include 1,700MHz support but will offer the carrier a mid-range 2-megapixel camera phone. Prices haven't been discussed.

The network will be the ROKR E8's first official home on June 30th and should be followed up by the Z6w for HotSpot@Home Wi-Fi calling. Two new Sidekicks have already been penned in for July 27th and 30th but may also be preceded by a Tony Hawk edition of the Sidekick LX on the 17th of the same month.