Google Phone stuck on T-mobile's slower network

Jordan Golson — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:23:09 -0400

When Apple choose AT&T as the exclusive US provider for the iPhone, concerns were raised about the speed of the company's network. Many, many users and reviewers complained about slow 2.5G connections and eagerly awaited the release of a 3G version of the iPhone. Now, that the phone is out, most users are satisfied with their 3G Internet access.

Google seems to have made the same "blunder" when it choose an even slower network, T-Mobile's, to provide service for their G1 Google phone. Unfortunately for Google, it seems T-Mobile's national high-speed data network lags behind other carriers for coverage and speed. An article in the Washington Post noted that in Washington, DC for example, T-Mobile's 3G data network isn't up and running yet. The company claims its 3G network will be deployed to 120 cities by the end of the year. By contrast, AT&T claims it will have 3G coverage in 350 metro areas by years end.

The reason for the delay? T-Mobile bought its 3G spectrum in an auction from the FCC, but the previous users of the spectrum are federal government agencies like the Defense Department. T-Mobile is tasked with taking control of its spectrum region by region -- significantly slowing service rollout.