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> SE needs more 850mhz phones!
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I get your points and its true that most middle aged men and women here can give two shits about what phone they use as long as it works and its free from the carrier. And yes theres not a whole lot of percentage of GSM compared to the rest of the world BUT, without descent comparable phones from manufacturers as compared to the rest of the world, GSM in americas will never take off to that level. All in all i just wish phone manufacturers could equip phones with 850 variants in most if not all of their phones.
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Posted: 2004-09-19 20:05:50
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I agree with what everyone is saying, however as an american GSM subscriber I wish it were that simple. I've wanted a new phone for quite some time and I just can't seem to find any decent coverage maps to figure out where there is 1900mHz coverage and where there is 850mHz coverage. If I could tell for sure that I wouldn't walk into an 850 area I would totally buy a newer
phone. Until it is easier to tell where each type of coverage lies I suppose I am stuck waiting for one of the new american models from
or a quadband phone. I want to buy a P910a, but the timing and price may lead me to a Treo 600.
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Posted: 2004-09-19 22:08:52
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You're answering your own question. If the States is basically the only country that uses 850MHz (read
this),
and if it's a small market, then why on earth would any phone manufacturer bother to make 850MHz phones? For once, the FCC had a chance to comply with the 900MHz international standard but it didn't (probably licensing issues). That's the FCC's fault, not SE or Nokia's or anyone else's. The only reason 850MHz phones are even being produced are because big US GSM operators (read AT&T) are forming contracts with phone manufacturers (e.g. Samsung) for the phones to be made, in return for guaranteeing sales through contract subsidies.
The great thing is that although you think GSM is not growing, look at these
statistics. T-Mobile, AT&T and Cingular comprise 62 million customers, or 45% of the market when AT&T completes the GSM switch. I'd guesstimate it's at about 25% now, but growing. And look at the figures for growth, where GSM is dominating. So odds are that when mobile manufacturers see enough potential they'll start making more 850MHz. They just don't have any reason to now. If you want to blame someone, blame the FCC.
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Posted: 2004-09-19 22:16:15
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actually the entire north america uses 850mhz, canada, mexico and lots of other third world americas countries. I think 900mhz wasnt used was because household cordless phones uses that band. Anyways heres a map of where AT&T and Cingular have their 850 throughout the US.
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Posted: 2004-09-19 23:15:05
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There is another aspect to this issue, which hasn't been touched upon, in this thread, yet; interest. As far as I am aware there isn't the same level of interest in many of the services, that are available in Europe, in the U.S. This would obviously have a knock on effect on the sale of handests with 'advanced' features.
I think that the North American market will start to see an increase in the number of advanced handsets over the coming years as the market homogenises. The U.S. has a real chance to move forward with the introduction of 3G, but unfortunately I don't see this happening in the near future as the American networks seem to be investing a lot of money in GSM.
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Posted: 2004-09-19 23:26:23
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@kevinqian where can I get a larger version of that map, and is it only the merged networks? I know Cingular has amuch larger coverage area than that map shows.
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Posted: 2004-09-19 23:40:11
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How well is 3G doing in the U.S.?
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Posted: 2004-09-20 00:03:25
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Fvck AT&T and their networks. AT&T is like American OnLine (AOL) and probably is like Vodaphone in Europe. Companies you should stay away from. They're the companies that annoy the hell out of you on their branding/logo and advertising and give you shitty service in return.
I was previously on AT&T GSM. My calls were ALWAYS drop in the middle of my conversations...and I'm in a good reception area too. When it dropped my call again (too many times), I got mad and threw the cell phone HARD against the concrete floor, shattering the phone. I know I shouldn't have take it out on the phone. It was definitely AT&T and their fvck-up networks. Probably the reason why now AT&T Wireless got bought out by another company.
North American customers should hook up with T-mobile. There's nothing wrong with the 900/1800/1900 reception here. (I think America uses the 1900 band). My calls are NEVER drop. I didn't change location or anything (still in the Los Angeles Area, still on the bottom floor of the apartment building). I'm actually from up north in North Cal. and it's fine up there was well. Check out the coverage map of T-Mobile. No roaming charge. It's a lot better (WAY BETTER) then the map you just posted.
@kevingian
I say, fvck the 850 band, go with T-mobile (900/1800/1900). It works fine everywhere in the U.S. I have a sim-free, brand-free K700i and my calls now are never drop. There's a reason why the WHOLE world uses 900/1800/1900.
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Posted: 2004-09-20 00:10:30
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Residentevil Posts: > 500
Fact is 75% of the world population uses GSM. Fact is GSM is the fastest (most) growing market in the world. Fact is GSM accounts for about 45% of the network subscribers in the US. Fact is T-mobile/US uses only the 1900mhz band, while ATT/Cingular uses 850 and 1900mhz. ATT overlays the 1900 with the 850, so there is no way to find out what band covers which area. However, the 850 band reaches farther than the 1900 band. Two mates of mine had to switch from t-mobile to ATT, because where they live (house) they only could get coverage with ATT most likely the 850 band. There is no need really for having a phone with the 850 band unless you live off the main coverage areas or are travelling extensiveley in the US. The 850 band is only used in the US and when you travel internationally you rather have the 900 band. Could I have used the 850 band - yes. Would I really need it - no. With Cingular/ATT being the only provider to use that band you I would recommend a quadband if you are a Cingular/ATT dedicated customer. Or you could use a quadband with T-mobile and roam on ATT's network if you need to, that would be also possible. However, their customer service is bad (3 peeps I interviewd did not like it) and the quality of the network (dropped calls, clarity) is troublesome in some areas. Personnally I would never buy a 850/1800/1900 phone. However, fact is ATT has the best internationally GSM roaming network (over 150) countries (according to mobile PC October/2004). However, last year T-mobile had the most new subscribers, while ATT had the least.
There really is no North America edition phone you could say. It is a Cingular/ATT edition phone if it is 850/1800/1900.
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Posted: 2004-09-20 01:45:10
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I stay away from AT&T/Cingular they are fcuked up. T-mobile is the best.
Also about the 3G in USA, I heard that is going to be in a different frequency from the European one. WTF!!!! I though they would much at that point, but BS...
I don't know North American is trying to differenciate themselves, I mean ok 1900Mhz is fine, but adding the 850Mhz is way too much.
Conclution is that in the big civilized cities you don't need 850Mhz. I only use 1900Mhz and never had a single problem...
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Posted: 2004-09-20 04:38:58
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