TmoNews

As many of you have heard, there are a lot of rumors floating around that T-mobile, and big daddy Deutsche Telekom are looking to acquire Sprint. Key word in that sentence being RUMORS. We can credit this wave of rumors to the German newpaper Spiegel, who posted their article online.

Click here to view the Spiegel article translated to English

This would be a huge move for T-mobile USA, and the Wireless market in the US in general. While there is still no official word from either company, we have gotten wind of some interesting news. Supposedly T-mobile is working on a 8 week program to help convert Sprint Customer Care from the dark side, to T-mobile, where they will now be required to assist customers. Interestingly enough, on hofo, it was reported that before hanging up with T-mobile CC, the employee said “Thanks for contacting Sprint…er…T-mobile.” Of course this was most likely a coincidence, but possibly some signs of what is to come.

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After years of delays and assorted issues, T-mobile USA finally has rolled out 3G in New York City. We were told it would come out months ago. It didn’t. We were told it would be voice only. It wasn’t. We were told it will be UMTS data. It wont be. Wait, what?!

Yep folks, T-mobile’s phase I of their 3G launch involves only UMTS data. However, it looks like plans are to do a little upgrading on this fresh 3G network. T-mobile doesn’t plan on stopping with UMTS, but hopefully upgrading to freaky fast HSDPA. For those that don’t know the lingo, UMTS=fast internet, and HSDPA=really really fast internet. HSDPA usually gets between 1.4 Mbps and 14 Mbps. The hardworking 3G engineers that created this network report that HSDPA is paid-for, and installed on almost all 3G-enabled sites. So what is T-mobile waiting for? Well your phone can interact with that cell site at super fast speeds, but what happens after that? Within 8 weeks, minimum, T-mobile will have the necessary T1 lines in place, so whichever HSDPA cell site your phone connects to can be connected to T-mobile, and the internet at super fast speeds. Oh, and a little more exciting news for everyone, guess what these HSDPA speeds were tested on? Nope, not feature-full Nokia 2610, but a Sony Ericsson device which got over 1 MB/S during testing. Could this be a sign that T-mobile is bringing HSDPA Sony Ericsson phones to their lineup soon? Stay tuned to find out

For those Spanish speakers, check out TmoNews.com in Spanish (Español)!

Price questions have been asked and tmonews.com has answered. I’ll let the price comparison do the walking and the talking this time around.

I suppose it would be helpful if we mentioned what phones are currently available and able to take advantage of the FULL Family 4-pack add-on features mentioned earlier? Of course, any myfaves phone will do for 3 of the 4, but if you want the unlimited minutes at home using the router, you’ll need one of their special UMA-enabled phones for each family member that wants those minutes. Currently available phones are:

• Nokia 6086
• Samsung t409
• Samsung Katalyst
• Blackberry Curve
• Blackberry Pearl 2

Looking for new phones? T-Mobile has a few upcoming handsets that also will work with the family 4-pack, or anywhere else H@H can be used. Yes, three new H@H phones for your enjoyment:

• Blackberry 8820 (launching this Monday, May 5th!!) Whoops, so it’s already out.
• Nokia 6301
• Motorola Z6W

Three new H@H phones coming soon alongside an amazing Family Plan add-on? This has WIN written ALL over it.

Oh my faves, my faves how I love thee. Hey T-mobile fans, the commercials are running and we as always have the inside scoop. Starting May 14, you will be able to use your families myfaves as your own. Yup thats right, you have 4 members in your family thats 20 unlimited numbers for you. Guess what, now I can call all of my sisters friends all I want. Er I mean, call my sister whenever I want.

Here is the scoop on T-Mobile’s new Family 4-Pack Promotion:

(Click for full details)