T-Mobile 3G frequency (MC8775 Card)

[Shelby Griggs]

I am thinking of adding the MC8775 onto my new T61p order (as the AT&T option), BUT will unlock the card to use with my current T-Mobile account. T-Mobile hasn't yet rolled out their 3G data plans, BUT I understand they have frequency spectrum for 1700 and 2100 MHz. The question is are they using both frequencies or mix and match or ?

The MC8775 supports 2100 MHz BUT I don't believe ANY hardware currently on the market supports 1700 MHz as that seems to be an odd frequency to T-Mobile only.

The question is, will the MC8775 work on T-Mobile at all (2100 MHz?) when they roll out 3G later this year (I hope, this has been just around the corner since about 2006!)

I realize that I will be able to fall back to GPRS/EDGE speeds but hopefully I can use the higher speed data stream too when it rolls out.

SHG

[USSS]

T-Mobile 3G will operate on 1700MHz in the US only, I believe. If you travel overseas, your card will work on UMTS 2100MHz in markets where it is supported by the network.

[Shelby Griggs]

OK, additional clarification is needed. I have read that T-Mobile will be 1700/2100 in the USA and in fact maybe AT&T too eventually. Are both frequencies used, one for transmitting, one for receiving OR will there be some places where the MC8775 might work on the 2100 frequency? Regardless, I will probably order the T61 with the WWAN card and hope Sierra Wireless makes a 1700/2100 version I could swap in later, of course if Lenovo doesn't add that to the white list, I will have to deal with the BIOS fix, but at least the SIM card holder, antenna, etc. will already be there.

SHG

[bill bolton]

Are both frequencies used, one for transmitting, one for receiving OR will there be some places where the MC8775 might work on the 2100 frequency?

1700MHz and 2100 MHz are separate bands in the RF spectrum.

The device will operate in one band only at a time and will transmit and receive on channels within that band. That is... it will operate entirely in the 1700 MHz band or entirely in the 2100 MHZ band at any one point in time, depending on which band is available at the present location.

You'd need to ask T-Mobile where they will be specifically deploying each band.

Cheers,

Bill B.