Tru 3G using T-Mobile on 1900mHz in the USA

[inquisitor]

Frequently disappearance and reappearance of 3G coverage has been reported from many places where T-Mobile are refarming the PCS band. Either this is caused by the cells actually being switched on and off during the intial setup or the network is providing new cell reselection criteria to your phone which then switches back to 2G. You could switch your phone to 3G-only so you can rule out that your phone has been ordered by the network to use 2G instead of 3G.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Frequently disappearance and reappearance of 3G coverage has been reported from many places where T-Mobile are refarming the PCS band. Either this is caused by the cells actually being switched on and off during the intial setup or the network is providing new cell reselection criteria to your phone which then switches back to 2G. You could switch your phone to 3G-only so you can rule out that your phone has been ordered by the network to use 2G instead of 3G.

The phones I am using are unlocked AT&T Huawei U2800As.
I assume they are testing. Two days ago I had never seen 3G on T-Mobile here.
Phone is too simple to either have control of which network or 2G/3. And it goes back from 'E' to '3G' [2G/3G]. And back again. And back again. The airportal.de map for the first time today shows a 3G tower in the doughnut hole I talk about [zipcode=90240]. Not near me though. [Doughnut hole is bounded by following freeways: 60 to the North, 91 to the South, 710 to the West, 605 to the East {and out further East also}].

inquisitor, I always appreciate your knowledgable and wise insights.
thank you for responding.

[rfranzq]

In case anyone is wondering, Spot Mobile and Piranha Mobile can and do operate on 3G on T-Mobile's refarmed 1900mHz band.

[Stu]

I generally find Tru to do a nice job from a technical point of view, but that their savings in their home country don't make up for the higher fees in other countries. For example, not giving US and Australian subscribers EU statutory rates when roaming in the EU. I understand that they may not legally have to, but right now it gives folks like Piranha a huge edge. Even their US rates (as a US subcriber) aren't that great. Their data rates aren't bad, but they seem to have pushed their rates as far as the market will tolerate. If you are a frequent traveller between two Truphone countries, their plan makes sense, but I am struggling to see whether I'd come out ahead this year and I will be in the UK for a week and Oz for two this year.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

Here is a website showing T-Mobile 1900mHz deployment in the USA. Use Zip Code 90240 to see my situation.
Sightings of T-Mobile 3G/4G/HSPA+ coverage on 1900MHz (PCS/UMTS band II) Sadly, I live in the hole in the middle of Los Angeles County.

The map still looks the same with the doughnut hole. However, at home I can search for networks and see T-Mobile 3G. Since the web site is a volunteer effort and since no one is reporting near me the map stays the same. Almost anywhere I go [not too many places] in Southern California shows T-Mobile 3G on my phone when I search networks.
Unfortunately, where I live is iffy for 3G. It will show on a phone and I pick up the phone and lose 3G. I can see it when I search networks but almost never get it when I choose 3G. In a much smaller doughnut hole now of my own making.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

Unfortunately, where I live is iffy for 3G. It will show on a phone and I pick up the phone and lose 3G. I can see it when I search networks but almost never get it when I choose 3G.

In the last couple of days. I have been getting 3G with T-Mobile and its MVNOs at home. [Piranha, Worldsim, Truphone, Spot, Ptel, Lycamobile]
About 70-80% of the time versus about 10-20% 3G is happening at my house.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

In the last couple of days[MAY]. I have been getting 3G with T-Mobile and its MVNOs at home.
[Piranha, Worldsim, Truphone, Spot, Ptel, Lycamobile]
About 70-80% of the time versus about 10-20% 3G is happening at my house.

Now I would say that I am getting 3G over 95% of the time on the above MVNOs.
In fact, if I choose 2G it won't go or will only remain on it for a few minutes before going back to 3G.

[inquisitor]

Why don't you report your sightings? That's why I made that map!

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Why don't you report your sightings? That's why I made that map!

Well, thanks for the map. It is kind of embarrassing to get that question. Unfortunately, I don't have the freedom and time to do the exploration necessary. My limited knowledge in this area might also be a factor.

I am surprised that T-Mobile has not announced Los Angeles as a market yet. Does that mean more is coming.

Thanks again.

[inquisitor]

Didn't mean to offend you. Actually you would need an iPhone or an Android device to obtain the network information required for submission.
I've no idea what TMo's roll out schedule is and why they haven't announced availability of UMTS1900 for markets like LA where coverage seems to be quite widespread now.