Tmobile 3G/HSPA Speeds

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Does anyone know what types of speeds are expected with the 3G Network?
I know that ATT has certian towers which are now running HSPA which i believe averages a few mbps connection. I wonder if tmobile will have speeds like this.

I heard something in the neighborhood of 1.5mpbs but I might be wrong.

One of T-mobile's recent press releases suggested 1mbps.

But these numbers are very shaky. AT&T might have faster HSPA speeds, but in general its coverage is very spotty (and network outages have happened a couple times). T-mobile might be slower and with less overall coverage, but within 3G areas you might get stronger signals which give you overall faster sustained connections. So it's going to vary a lot from person to person.

Also, keep in mind that the AT&T got bogged down with iPhone 3G traffic; who knows if T-mobile will face the same challange with the G1. There are just way too many variables for this to just be a numbers comparison.

Good Points, Thanks

Originally Posted by fhsieh

One of T-mobile's recent press releases suggested 1mbps.

But these numbers are very shaky. AT&T might have faster HSPA speeds, but in general its coverage is very spotty (and network outages have happened a couple times). T-mobile might be slower and with less overall coverage, but within 3G areas you might get stronger signals which give you overall faster sustained connections. So it's going to vary a lot from person to person.

Also, keep in mind that the AT&T got bogged down with iPhone 3G traffic; who knows if T-mobile will face the same challange with the G1. There are just way too many variables for this to just be a numbers comparison.

I have to disagree with you 110% with just about everything you've said. "In general its coverage is very spotty (and network outages have happened a couple times)." I've had ONE time in the entire 8+ years with AT&T where we didn't have data transfer in the northeast (excluding 9/11), and that was just a few weeks ago. What gives you the idea you'd get stronger signals when in a T-Mobile 3G area? Because you want to believe it? There's nothing anywhere in the world that suggests their coverage will be stronger even though it's "slower with less overall coverage" as you say. Yes, AT&T got bogged down with iPhone 3G traffic, and T-Mobile has a LOT of customers now that are going to flock to the $180 G1... Same thing. For the record, when I had my Fuze in August (prime time for iPhone 3G bog, right? 1 month later?) I was getting readings of at least 450-500 kb/s, and I live on the very edge of a 3G zone, barely within it. I'm 40 miles away from Boston and getting their 3G at those speeds in the worst of the times for AT&T's network... I'd love to see T-Mobile come through like that in NYC/Boston areas, but it won't happen. They'll have 25 markets by the end of the year, AT&T will have 350. The reason T-Mobile originally put in that 1GB bandwidth throttling is because they know they can't handle the rush of data requirements that's going to be present, but pressure from customers has forced them to take that off... Good luck if you live in a major metro area with T-Mobile.

Originally Posted by Black93300ZX

I have to disagree with you 110% with just about everything you've said. "In general its coverage is very spotty (and network outages have happened a couple times)." I've had ONE time in the entire 8+ years with AT&T where we didn't have data transfer in the northeast (excluding 9/11), and that was just a few weeks ago. What gives you the idea you'd get stronger signals when in a T-Mobile 3G area? Because you want to believe it? There's nothing anywhere in the world that suggests their coverage will be stronger even though it's "slower with less overall coverage" as you say. Yes, AT&T got bogged down with iPhone 3G traffic, and T-Mobile has a LOT of customers now that are going to flock to the $180 G1... Same thing. For the record, when I had my Fuze in August (prime time for iPhone 3G bog, right? 1 month later?) I was getting readings of at least 450-500 kb/s, and I live on the very edge of a 3G zone, barely within it. I'm 40 miles away from Boston and getting their 3G at those speeds in the worst of the times for AT&T's network... I'd love to see T-Mobile come through like that in NYC/Boston areas, but it won't happen. They'll have 25 markets by the end of the year, AT&T will have 350. The reason T-Mobile originally put in that 1GB bandwidth throttling is because they know they can't handle the rush of data requirements that's going to be present, but pressure from customers has forced them to take that off... Good luck if you live in a major metro area with T-Mobile.

That's why I said it's going to vary a lot from person to person?

I've heard a lot of people say great things about AT&T 3G. I've also heard a lot of people have nothing but trouble with AT&T 3G. And you surely can't just ignore the people who have had a slew of bad experiences with AT&T. T-mobile will also have its own share of ups and downs. So I'm just putting it all out on the table.

And for the record, I never said that signal strength will be stronger with Tmo 3G networks. I was just stating that given how varied user reviews of AT&T 3G coverage has been, Tmo probably will also vary widely, so there's no way to call a clear winner.

Edit--
What would be nice is if some coders got together and made a few apps (say, one each for Android, WM, and iPhone) that would run a rudimentary bandwidth test, grab GPS location, and send it (along with carrier and device info) to a website that would plot the info on a Google Maps API. Not exactly a new or novel idea (Windows Keitai already did it for carrier E-mobile in Japan), but at least it could help people compare and understand more objectively what they might expect for 3G service in their area, especially since coverage maps and advertised speeds aren't always reliable.

Originally Posted by fhsieh

That's why I said it's going to vary a lot from person to person?

I've heard a lot of people say great things about AT&T 3G. I've also heard a lot of people have nothing but trouble with AT&T 3G. And you surely can't just ignore the people who have had a slew of bad experiences with AT&T. T-mobile will also have its own share of ups and downs. So I'm just putting it all out on the table.

And for the record, I never said that signal strength will be stronger with Tmo 3G networks. I was just stating that given how varied user reviews of AT&T 3G coverage has been, Tmo probably will also vary widely, so there's no way to call a clear winner.

Edit--
What would be nice is if some coders got together and made a few apps (say, one each for Android, WM, and iPhone) that would run a rudimentary bandwidth test, grab GPS location, and send it (along with carrier and device info) to a website that would plot the info on a Google Maps API. Not exactly a new or novel idea (Windows Keitai already did it for carrier E-mobile in Japan), but at least it could help people compare and understand more objectively what they might expect for 3G service in their area, especially since coverage maps and advertised speeds aren't always reliable.

Thant would be a fantastic Idea. It would take all of these "faitful" network lovers and make them put up or shut up!

Originally Posted by Master Loon

Thant would be a fantastic Idea. It would take all of these "faitful" network lovers and make them put up or shut up!

Biggg 2nd.

And for the record, I'm far from a faithful network lover, I almost got a chance to sign onto a SERO plan because someone else was canceling theirs, and I would've been very happy to switch to Sprint for that. T-Mobile looks like it could be the AT&T of 5 years from now... But not yet.

the real world speed is around 1000/330, it may be slower

Originally Posted by mingkee

the real world speed is around 1000/330, it may be slower

Good to know, also makes it easier with you being right in my area... Now I don't have to wonder