T-Mobile USA's 3G Network on Storm 9530

Finally, Colorado Springs went live with T-Mo's 3G this week (now that most carriers are prepping for 4G). My wife got it instantly on her T-Mobile unit. I have an unlocked Storm 9530, which has full function for all services on the T-Mobile network. I however, am still showing I'm connected to the Edge network.

I called Customer Care last night to see if it was as simple as resending service books. The Blackberry Support Tech told me that T-Mobile uses two bands at the same time for their 3G network, while most other carriers use only one band (or frequency). With that said, the Tech stated I will never get T-Mo's 3G network on this phone.

Honestly, I don't buy it. This phone is the first true Worldwide phone. I was told by this same department that I'd never get all services to function. Well, for the last 3 months, I have Voice, MMS, SMS, BES, and of course, full function of the Browser through the WAP server. Therefore, I don't buy this phone doesn't have the ability to hit the 3G network.

Has anyone else on the board heard of anyone with an unlocked unit successfully connect to T-Mo's USA 3G Network. I'm sure its as simple as a radio patch allowing the phone to use two frequencies at once.

Thanks in advance everyone...You've all contributed to making this the best device I've ever owned (and yes, a converted Windows Mobile to Blackberry user for life).

Wirelessly posted

Unfortunately you're only ever going to see EDGE on the Storm. The 2/2.5G bands are supported on that phone but the Storm's radio only uses the 2100 frequency for 3G(UMTS/HSDPA). T-Mobile uses 1700 while AT&T uses 1900 and 850 (might have the 1900 wrong).

Unless you go into the phone and put in a radio antenna that can pick up the Tmo 3G sig; you out of luck. But if feel you on what your saying. I don't understand why these smartphone builders build a phone that works on all freq an have the sim card determine what network freq to use. That would be the smart thing to do.

And to add to the issue my friend who has the Google phone here in LA (where TMO's 3G network is supposed to be robust) almost can never get on 3G.

Wirelessly posted

I'm on Telus and traveling to Vegas next week. Do you think a pay by the day TMo sim card would be cheaper than paying a weeks worth of roaming charges? I have an unlocked 9530.