Request for N900 on T-Mobile

[jsuggs]

I created a thread requesting the N900 be carried by t-mobile (usa) on their internal forums. Head over and leave a comment to show them there is interest.

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&thread.id=1487

Just curious, but is there any better way to show them there is interest?

[dannyo]

I created a thread requesting the N900 be carried by t-mobile (usa) on their internal forums. Head over and leave a comment to show them there is interest.

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&thread.id=1487

Just curious, but is there any better way to show them there is interest?

Commented!

[christexaport]

We really need more people to comment on this TMo thread! Letting the market know we want the device would help alot, but unfortunately, we don't have many people responding...

[christexaport]

I posted this on the Symbian Freak boards as well. Let's hope for a decent response.

[QueenShawtii]

Someone already made a thread about the N900 but it isn't mentioned in the Title

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&thread.id=1278.

ETA: maybe someone can get him to edit the title of his post so it's easier to find.

[penguinbait]

I'm in..................

[matthewcc]

Great lines from the TMO Forums page:
------
Posted By: Bronzetank
------
I have heard the call of the smartphone and been tempted, oh so tempted to follow the siren's song to the iphone. But now there is hope...and I don't mean the android platform. While Android is doing its best to become competitive, we all know that the MyTouch doesn't really match up. And sure, there are about a million new Android phones coming out, but not one has shown anything new/better than the iphone. They are all still scrambling to catch up. No, the true competition is one that is not playing copy cat but blazing new paths and creating new paradigms.



The Nokia N900 is first and foremost an internet tablet, this is true. But it is also a phone, and has been built almost specifically for T-Mobile within the US market. Why is there any hesitation? T-Mobile pick up the ball! I'm not even asking for the mass market advertising that is being spent on the MyTouch (a phone for the flocks of sheep), just a subsidy and a phone worthy of using my upgrade on when I renew my 2 year contract. To tell you the truth, I think a lot of people would jump at this new device from all the internet buzz alone. This is a chance for T-Mobile to set itself apart as the premier provider of all things NOT IPHONE.



I've made up my mind. The N900 is showing us the future of what phones can become, the crossover between computer and phone. If T-Mobile is too blind to see this, then they don't deserve my business anymore.
------

[livefreeordie]

Wouldn't you all be much better off demanding a reasonably priced SIM only contract rather than whining about how your favorite phone of the day hasn't been accepted by the overlords?

[ysss]

If you guys are after the subsidy, why not finance it with credit cards? (there are still plenty of 0% interest offers to roll it around for the 1-2 years period, right??).

It'll end up cheaper, you get the unlocked version, and you keep your freedom of choice.

[matthewcc]

Wouldn't you all be much better off demanding a reasonably priced SIM only contract rather than whining about how your favorite phone of the day hasn't been accepted by the overlords?

what do you think is more likely in the US:
A. Discounted Sim only contracts?
B. Nokia N900 Subsidized by TMO
C. Osama Bin Laden gets baptized and becomes a born-again-christian

I know where my money is OSSAMMMA! :p

[nilchak]

and you keep your freedom of choice.

I guess the freedom of choice is to have the freedom to buy it unsubsidized or the choice to buy it subsidized and with a 2 Year contract lockdown. ;)

[ysss]

@nilchak: Umm... the freedom to rule the net at EDGE speed on AT&T's (iphone congested) network with your unlocked and unbranded N900? :D

[nilchak]

well, I still have the freedom to use the super-duper N900 on one hand with the AT&T 3G phone in another with the two tethered over BT (just so I can ride the meager AT&T 3G airwaves left over after the iPhonistas are done iFarting all over it).
(Just be careful when a call comes, don't lift both phones to your ears)

One phone to rule the other ;)

[Laughing Man]

If you guys are after the subsidy, why not finance it with credit cards? (there are still plenty of 0% interest offers to roll it around for the 1-2 years period, right??).

It'll end up cheaper, you get the unlocked version, and you keep your freedom of choice.

True we could (I could also just pay the lump sum in full if I wanted). It's more that..in the US the difference between a subsidized to non-subsidized price is almost non-existent as far as I'm aware with plans..

[texaslabrat]

True we could (I could also just pay the lump sum in full if I wanted). It's more that..in the US the difference between a subsidized to non-subsidized price is almost non-existent as far as I'm aware with plans..

Considering that technically the N900 should have a smart-phone data plan, the cost difference can be significant over the course of the typical 2-year contract if you can get a "normal" data plan with an unlocked phone.

[nilchak]

Its pretty simple equation in the US - cheaper devices.

If you buy a unsubsidized device you sill pay the same $X for the plan each month as you would with buying the subsidized phone.

The only "extra" you get buying unsubsidized is the no-contract on your plan.
But if I was to stick with T-Mobile for 2 years or more as such (like I have with AT&T), then the "no-contract" deal does not have the same value proposition in terms of money.

In that sense the phone is actually cheaper unsubsidized in terms of raw money that I have to pony up over the long term.
To most US consumers the freedom of having no contract is NOT a value proposition at all.

Sad but true.

[ysss]

I think the biggest 'reward' for Maemo if TMO USA picks it up will be the advertisement campaign and distribution reach for the N900.

And even more important will be the acceptance by the carriers cartel that an open phone is welcome in their system.
If that's the case, then I'd say that's worth asking or fighting for...

[matthewcc]

In that sense the phone is actually cheaper unsubsidized in terms of raw money that I have to pony up over the long term.
To most US consumers the freedom of having no contract is NOT a value proposition at all.

Sad but true.

Don't you mean it is cheaper to get a subsidized phone over time because you do not get a cheaper rate just because you are buying a sim only contract - in the US?

[remister]

One reason that T-Mobile might not subsidize the n900 is because Nokia isn't in the Open Handset Alliance. In ways if they do subsidize the n900 I will go against Android and the whole sizbang. Just one of my thoughts.

[penguinbait]

I am a t-mobile customer. I have been out of contract for over 2 years, I have a razrv3 from 5 years ago. (wow, thats sad)

If I get a n900 or better yet 2 on a family plan with a two year contract (through T-mobile for say 300$ per phone?), the monthly rate would be $24.99 per month OR $5 more than if I were to buy outright the two phones unlocked and just add the internet to it for 19.99. (Note this is actually cheating and if caught would be required to switch to the smartphone plan for 24.99$ per month anyway)


So if you were able to get away with the 19.99 plan for the entire two years and stayed at t-mobile (even though you had no contract) you would have saved $120 on the Data plan.

The only differences are (are you listening)

Unlocked Phone
1) You would have paid 600$ more than the person that bought the subsidized version
2) You have the freedom to leave and go to another carrier (good luck finding a cheaperone)
3) You would still be cheating the system and subject to the 5$ higher rate if caught


Subsidized Phone
1) You have to pay for the smartphone package
2) You cannot cancel my contract for 2 years if I bought the subsidized phone.

***Based on current T-mobile rate plans

The T-mobile plans COSTS THE EXACT SAME PRICE with or without a contract.


So someone please explain to me how it is cheaper to buy the unlocked version even if you cheat the system??

I just don't understand????????? Am I missing something??

[ysss]

@penguinbait: REALLY?!?!
Then what are the US users b*tch*n about in other threads about how bad carriers lock-ins for them?? Sounds like a fair calculation if you get huge discount up front and not have to pay for it (in hidden costs) during your 2 years with them. Not to mention that they usually offer discounts for the upgrades too, and you still get to sell your old phone..

[Laughing Man]

Considering that technically the N900 should have a smart-phone data plan, the cost difference can be significant over the course of the typical 2-year contract if you can get a "normal" data plan with an unlocked phone.

True but all they have to do is implement IMEI checking and then tell you have to switch to smartphone plan or no plan at all. What penguinbait posted is pretty much what I'm seeing with TMobile (I'm looking at possible plans and deals for next year when I get the n900). There really is no benefit.

Especially since the n900 is only compatible with TMobile or AT&T (2G). So yeah.. two choices. :( That makes great competition for each other to improve customer service huh.

Edit: At ysss, that's because people generally like to complain. But the problem is more if you buy a phone unlocked, you get no discount or advantage over those who are subsidized. Thus for non-subsidized phones = bah.

[QueenShawtii]

If you have the old T-zones $5.99 you can use that data plan with an unlocked smartphone and with the N900 get 3G to boot. But this is also "Illegal" and they are locking down on this method.

I am a t-mobile customer. I have been out of contract for over 2 years, I have a razrv3 from 5 years ago. (wow, thats sad)

The T-mobile plans COSTS THE EXACT SAME PRICE with or without a contract.

So someone please explain to me how it is cheaper to buy the unlocked version even if you cheat the system??

I just don't understand????????? Am I missing something??

[texaslabrat]

@penguinbait: REALLY?!?!
Then what are the US users b*tch*n about in other threads about how bad carriers lock-ins for them?? Sounds like a fair calculation if you get huge discount up front and not have to pay for it (in hidden costs) during your 2 years with them. Not to mention that they usually offer discounts for the upgrades too, and you still get to sell your old phone..

because subsidized phones generally are crippled and come loaded with the provider's crapware, for one thing. While the N900 might be different, generally you can't compare the unlocked version vs the subsidized locked version in an apples-to-apples way (E71 vs E71x, for instance).

And it takes just one international trip to realize the advantages of an unlocked, non-crippled phone that can use local SIMs and VoIP applications ;) That may not be beneficial to most, but it's saved me thousands in roaming fees over the years.

[christexaport]

Wouldn't you all be much better off demanding a reasonably priced SIM only contract rather than whining about how your favorite phone of the day hasn't been accepted by the overlords?
Not at all, livefreeordie! You forget that unlike most members of this thread, not everyone is a high salaried software engineer or IT pro. Some of us that are have seen harsh realities of lowering of income, layoffs and foreclosures in recent times. $695 USD is big money for some of us right now.

I myself have spent over $5400 on Nokia smartphones the last 3 years. I'm ready to use some of my upgrade bonuses, get a device subsidized like the rest of the world, and not have to always poop out full price, especially now that I'm between regular jobs. I'll get the N900, but I really don't have the money. I'll do like girls at a Jimmy Choo shoe sale and "ignore all cries of budget and just say f..ggit!"

We aren't whining, either. I and many others across the web, with writers from TMoNews and other sites have written articles and lobbied on behalf of consumers for Nokia smartphones in America for TMobile. It isn't known, but before Nokia started making NAM models, most of the unlocked Nokia smartphones in the US were used on TMo's network, and TMo would actually subsidize them via some retailers (My first N90 was via a contracted subsidy). We begged for US compatible models, and got at&t 3G only instead. Forced to switch to a lame carrier, a TMo device, or wait.

Nokia lost many of its base with that move, and TMo watched many of its unlocked and Nokia smartphone custos walk away. All the top US Symbian bloggers were TMobilers before. We begged TMo to carry the Nseries and Eseries models. Now that a compatible one exists, TMo is ignoring it.

We've lobbied hard to get these devices on carrier shelves, and I won't stop. We are a small but loud voice in the States, and we will be heard. American carriers act as cartels, even blocking unlocked device features on some models if not used on the carrier partner of that device (see iPhone tethering blocked if used off the at&t network, for example).

In the UK, they say we don't speak up enough. I look at their market for devices and think they're dead on, and we don't have to allow carriers to decide what devices we want, and the only way they know we want the N900 or other high end kit is to keep telling them.

[christexaport]

And you save MOUNDS of money using an unlocked device. If you travel abroad alot, you may not need a plan for every month. Also, contracts have minimum voice and data requirements which you may not need sometimes. And smartphones at most carriers need a higher cost data plan and minimum voice plan, though TMo is moving away from that policy.

Unlocked devices have no rules, but branded is stripped and crippled, and usually heavily monitored. For instance, at&t won't allow Slingplayer, P2P, torrents or other apps and features on its network, and has threatened to cancel contracts for violaitons.

[BadMojoUT]

@penguinbait: REALLY?!?!
Then what are the US users b*tch*n about in other threads about how bad carriers lock-ins for them?? Sounds like a fair calculation if you get huge discount up front and not have to pay for it (in hidden costs) during your 2 years with them. Not to mention that they usually offer discounts for the upgrades too, and you still get to sell your old phone..

Aside from what others have mentioned about why the subsidized handsets aren't really all that, I think you overlook the fact that in the US, we are charged for *incoming* as well as outgoing calls and SMS.

I loved being able to buy a 10-20 Euro SIM (or whatever it was) and use it for days on end without ever having to top it up since I'd ask my colleagues to call me. Forget about trying that in the US.

About the only thing going for the US operators is the fact that data plans were generally cheaper than their European counterparts, from my somewhat limited experience (this is from a pool of about ten countries). Although last time I was in Europe, I saw the data plans beginning to match parity with US plans in terms of pricing and download limits.

[nilchak]

Don't you mean it is cheaper to get a subsidized phone over time because you do not get a cheaper rate just because you are buying a sim only contract - in the US?

That's exactly what I meant. Thanks for putting it so succinctly.

[nilchak]

All the *****in and moaning about Carrier lock-in's are mostly not beacuse of the financial reasons (cause money wise its cheaper generally), but because of the crippling that the providers force on the device, thus reducing the functioanlity of the open device.

The 2nd reason is of course the ideological one - i.t. why should I stay under a f...ing 2 year contract - thats just bondage.

But none of that has got to do with the money aspect. And THAT is the only reason why the carriers keep doing what they do here in the US - cause the money still lures the customers inspite of all the howling and crying.

[Texrat]

If you guys are after the subsidy, why not finance it with credit cards? (there are still plenty of 0% interest offers to roll it around for the 1-2 years period, right??).

It'll end up cheaper, you get the unlocked version, and you keep your freedom of choice.

Many neither have nor use credit cards. Mine were cut up 10 years ago. ;)

How about manufacturer financing? :D

[penguinbait]

Many neither have nor use credit cards. Mine were cut up 10 years ago. ;)

How about manufacturer financing? :D

I had just ignored this but, I also do not have any credit cards. I am 37 and married with 4 kids. I have NEVER had a credit card, I have never needed one.

I vote manufacturer financing also :D:D:D

$650 + full replacement insurance for two years say $750
0% financing for two years = 31.25 per month.

where do I sign up

[Crashdamage]

Someone already made a thread about the N900 but it isn't mentioned in the Title

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&thread.id=1278.

ETA: maybe someone can get him to edit the title of his post so it's easier to find.
That was me. When I started that thread I knew nothing about Maemo, Nokia phones or tablets...and I'm still an Maemo ignoramous. I just knew the N900 looked like a friggin' monster phone running a version of real, full-bore Linux.

I was gettin' kinda sick of my G1/Android and the N900 looked like the answer. So, I posted to try and draw some attention to it and see what others thought. To keep it going I later added some links to info and videos, kept an eye on the thread...

Sorry, I can't change the title.

[YoDude]

I had just ignored this but, I also do not have any credit cards. I am 37 and married with 4 kids. I have NEVER had a credit card, I have never needed one.

I vote manufacturer financing also :D:D:D

$650 + full replacement insurance for two years say $750
0% financing for two years = 31.25 per month.

where do I sign up


Never had to rent a car?

***

Subsidies in some cases just inflate the MSRP.

Nextel, a post paid service provider sells subsidized phones that are exclusive to Motorola and can only run on the iDEN network.
Boost is a prepaid provider that offers the same phones that run on the same iDEN network with no contract.
Both providers use SIM cards to identify an account on the network.

The cost of a Boost i776 = $99 (http://www.boostmobilestore.com/bpdirect/boost/PhoneList.do?action=view&id=i776)

Nextel claims that the i776's MSRP = $229 (http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/DisplayPhones?phoneSKU=I776)

However, if you open a new line and sign a 2 year contract the will let you have it for only $79 giving you an instant savings of $150 :rolleyes:

Remember the Boost phone you can buy with no contract for $99? ... Um, It cost only $20 more and you don't have a contract.

Now here is where it gets really interesting...

If you are under contract with Nextel for less then a year and loose or damage your phone beyond repair and do not have insurance; you must buy a replacement phone from Nextel at full MSRP.

Simple you might say. Just buy a Boost phone at a local retailer and pop your iDEN SIM in the cheaper Boost phone.

WRONG!
Boost phones are locked to Boost SIM's and your Nextel SIM will not work in a Boost phone.

Now the for the kick in the pants...

A person with the cheapest Boost phone or just an active Boost SIM can use it in any Nextel phone.

Nextel Phones are not locked to a SIM. :eek:

[penguinbait]

Never had to rent a car?




Yup, I use my debt card, they always let me

[christexaport]

Something no one mentions is that you HAVE to use TMo for 3G. If I HAVE to switch, I'd like a subsidy. It'd be different if I could pick a 3G carrier, but I can't. So I'm locked in anyway. At least let me get a cheap initial cost to buy.

[Thesandlord]

Has anyone considered buying unlocked at NOT using the 3G? I know if I got a n900, I would just stick my T-mobile prepaid (about $50 a year on average) or a perfect scenario would be one of those pay as you go things, because I would only need to use 3G like once a week, and telephony like twice a week (like 5 minutes max), and never use txt (free txt and voip with google voice, so....).

So in my case unlocked it MUCH MUCH cheaper...

[christexaport]

Thesandlord,
I do that right now as a case study for emerging markets. I've used an N95 8gb SIM free for four months now. I'm not against using it on EDGE only. Got used to it from using Euro models and hating at&t. But I'm ready for my first 3G Nokia phone and getting back to SMS and free calls at night while walking my dog.

[sjgadsby]

Has anyone considered buying unlocked at NOT using the 3G?

Yes. I currently pay approximately $42/year for PAYG cellular service, giving me about 400x more minutes than I use. I receive perhaps a dozen text messages a year from work, send none, and only occasionally use the far-slower-than-even-EDGE data connection.

I keep looking at the T-Mobile PAYG plans, but they're not attractive. On the other hand, while it would be difficult to overstate my bitterness toward for AT&T, at least their goPhone + 1 MB data plan is approaching reasonable.

Besides, regardless of what T-Mobile's web maps show, I doubt their 3G reaches where I live. We're only about two years removed from when we had to show visitors who insisted on using their mobiles to the spot at the end of the driveway where they might manage a short call before being disconnected.

When I get an N900, I'll probably just tether to the same, slow dumbphone I use with my N800 and N810 now. I might try AT&T for EDGE and the advantage of carrying one device, but my past experience with AT&T tells me I'll quickly regret it.

[matthewcc]

So much of what is being said is depressing.

If you are a current TMO Subscriber you can ask for the loyalty program rate (Faves Unlmtd Loyalty ) which is 50$ for unlimited talk. Voila you have your subsidy for being a good customer. The same plan at att is about 100$ and no chance of loyalty.

So if you can convince TMO to give you this rate for switching you just found a 600$ subsidy for your phone. It might be worth the conversation with T-Mobile if it works. Of course this is only valuable for people who use their phone a lot.

[kenny]

When I get an N900, I'll probably just tether to the same, slow dumbphone I use with my N800 and N810 now.

DUN is not included in N900 out of the box. Another thread here says it shouldn't be a problem to install and the Maemo team said they've started working on it.
.
Many of us are used to tethering their N8x0s. Of course it's a kludge for the N900, but it would get many people connected to the other 3 carriers at 3G speeds.

[christexaport]

That's something else I think we need to tell people who don't get carrier support. The N900 will be able to access the at&t network via tethering one of their phones via bluetooth.

[Lord Raiden]

*tosses in his $2.50*

Meh, who cares about T-mobile. Give me the n900 on Sprint, or forget it. :P

[Laughing Man]

Yeah...that ain't happening given that Sprint uses CDMA (I think). Even if TMobile bought Sprint or they merged you'd just have two seperate celluar networks..

(I wonder how hard it is to make a phone with every radio in it)..do those phones even exist?

[christexaport]

No. The radios are the most expensive parts of the device.

[kenny]

(I wonder how hard it is to make a phone with every radio in it)..do those phones even exist?
A recently released phone on Sprint offers both Sprint's CDMA service AND it has an empty GSM SIM card slot. I can't find the model quickly.....
Chinese phones that offer dual SIM cards are popular in my part of the world where many different GSM carriers exist.
.
N900 Tethering:
There is no DUN component out-of-the-box. They say it won't be a problem to implement and the Maemo team has started work on it. It's been covered in a thread here.....search.
Tethering takes us back to a rather inelegant 2-device remedy, but of course it would enable users to achieve 3G speeds on any carrier.

[deadmalc]

Shessh, I'm just glad that I'm not in the US!
Sounds bad!

[quipper8]

.

(I wonder how hard it is to make a phone with every radio in it)..do those phones even exist?

Maybe sometime in the future mobile phones will have SDR(software defined radios), but provide a linux based phone with an SDR and several corporations may explode :)

[R-R]

Maybe sometime in the future mobile phones will have SDR(software defined radios), but provide a linux based phone with an SDR and several corporations may explode :)

http://research.nokia.com/research/cognitive_radio

here you go, combined with maybe this:

http://gnuradio.org/trac

[quipper8]

there is already one on the market from infineon, but I don't know what devices might be using it yet

http://www.infineon.com/cms/us/product/channel.html?channel=db3a304317a748360117d0c438611 2fd

I am sure other chip makers have similar things coming out

Looks like the cognitive radio would be the software to run one or multiple of these type chips.

[kenny]

Shessh, I'm just glad that I'm not in the US!
Sounds bad!

Check this thread about England's wireless options.
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=31356&page=3
You guys seem to have many wireless options and some reasonable deals.
.
It does seem like there's a few places in the world that have quite a few different wireless options, with some good deals.
Then there seems to be many places in the world that have at least several wireless options, with some at not too outrageous of a rate.

Then there's the States.....and even worse, Canada.....and Australia.....and....:(

[quipper8]

Check this thread about England's wireless options.
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=31356&page=3
You guys seem to have many wireless options and some reasonable deals.
.
It does seem like there's a few places in the world that have quite a few different wireless options, with some good deals.
Then there seems to be many places in the world that have at least several wireless options, with some at not too outrageous of a rate.

Then there's the States.....and even worse, Canada.....and Australia.....and....:(

I have said before that the suck factor of wireless rates is inversely proportional to the population density of the same area, which is understandable.

[Nexus7]

If any one is interested in a subsidized N900 from T-Mo, you'd better go over to the T-Mo forums and post there. That thread's sitting at a measly 20 requests right now.

[somedude]

I do not want this phone to be subsidized by Tmobile. I have already bought this and I DO NOT want to pay 25 for the same data that I pay $5 now. DO NOT BRING THIS TO T-MOBILE SUBSIDIZE PERIOD.
Do your own math $5 Vs $25
for 2 years
$5 X 24 = $120.
$25 x 24 = $600.
You are saving $480 on a 2 year period.
Do all us a favor and quit whining about high sales tag on the phone.
If you look closely then you can tell that over the 2 year that you pay for data plan to Tmobile with the same price you can get the phone now, so basically its free.
How hard is that?

[sachin007]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/t-mobile-starts-21mbps-hspa-rollout-in-philadelphia-nationwide/

Looks like we can use the 10mbps HSPA+ speed starting from 2010 if this is true.

[somedude]

2010 u mean i guess, otherwise i wont be breathing to see that.

[Laughing Man]

I do not want this phone to be subsidized by Tmobile. I have already bought this and I DO NOT want to pay 25 for the same data that I pay $5 now. DO NOT BRING THIS TO T-MOBILE SUBSIDIZE PERIOD.
Do your own math $5 Vs $25
for 2 years
$5 X 24 = $120.
$25 x 24 = $600.
You are saving $480 on a 2 year period.
Do all us a favor and quit whining about high sales tag on the phone.
If you look closely then you can tell that over the 2 year that you pay for data plan to Tmobile with the same price you can get the phone now, so basically its free.
How hard is that?

Yeah.. but I don't know how you are geting the $5 data plan. TMobile doesn't offer that regardless if you are subsidized or unsubsidized in the USA.

[deadmalc]

I have said before that the suck factor of wireless rates is inversely proportional to the population density of the same area, which is understandable.

True the UK population density must be amongst the highest, but we do get suckered with house prices :-(

[somedude]

Yeah.. but I don't know how you are geting the $5 data plan. TMobile doesn't offer that regardless if you are subsidized or unsubsidized in the USA.

$19.99 gives you Unlimited Text and Unlimited Web so there you go.

[Laughing Man]

Could I get a link?

The only one I see that would work (and even then its PC and WinMo) is

"Want Internet access for your laptop or Windows Mobile® device? Get connected anywhere within the T-Mobile network with an Internet-only plan."

$39.99

[somedude]

Could I get a link?

The only one I see that would work (and even then its PC and WinMo) is

"Want Internet access for your laptop or Windows Mobile® device? Get connected anywhere within the T-Mobile network with an Internet-only plan."

$39.99

Would not let you see that unless you choose to add a voice plan and phone only comes later, and for some reason the link will bring you back to the tmobile home page. here is the link even if you want to try it
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/default.aspx
i tried to post the picture i took after the scrren capture but it wont let me attach a file in this page, i am new to this forum.
and yeah it does gives you a 3G coverage I was able to pull off 2MBPS DWNLD speed using Sony TM506, and i get the 3G on my G1 using this plan and a APN hack.

[christexaport]

I do not want this phone to be subsidized by Tmobile. I have already bought this and I DO NOT want to pay 25 for the same data that I pay $5 now. DO NOT BRING THIS TO T-MOBILE SUBSIDIZE PERIOD.
Do your own math $5 Vs $25
for 2 years
$5 X 24 = $120.
$25 x 24 = $600.
You are saving $480 on a 2 year period.
Do all us a favor and quit whining about high sales tag on the phone.
If you look closely then you can tell that over the 2 year that you pay for data plan to Tmobile with the same price you can get the phone now, so basically its free.
How hard is that?I believe you're talking about the TZones data plan, which is no longer available. Must've been grandfathered in. But it blocks the ports to use some IM and VOIP apps, and I believe it goes through a proxy. I had it for my N95 for years. My biggest regret about cancelling my cell service was losing that data plan.

[Laughing Man]

Hmm Web2Go, is that like WAP optimized? But sweet, if that's really the plan I can get for full web on the n900 then thanks! I thought I was limited to the expensive plans.

[somedude]

I believe you're talking about the TZones data plan, which is no longer available. Must've been grandfathered in. But it blocks the ports to use some IM and VOIP apps, and I believe it goes through a proxy. I had it for my N95 for years. My biggest regret about cancelling my cell service was losing that data plan.

the new web2go is all open there is no proxy or anything needed for this.
Tzones is the one I used to use on my N95 too but I upgraded to G1 and i had to sign for the android package and got that 35 a month but not too long ago they have introduced this 19.99 for unlimited internet and sms or if you dont want the sms, internet is 9.99 and I am telling you there is no kind of block on this I can still use the voip the gizmo on this with my N95 and still stream from nokia internet radio which I was not able to with my Tzones, but Later down before upgrading to G1 i changed the APN for Tzones and it was working like a full internet too.

[Laughing Man]

I swear, if this all checks out next year then TMobile has me for a happy customer. I was kinda frowning at the price earlier. Though I'll still get a cheap voice plan to go with this. But $10 for unlimited data + $30-40 for the voice plan is a deal!

[Nexus7]

I can't make head or tail out of your postings. In this one, are you saying it'll only let me add this plan after I choose a voice plan and a phone? In which case, I have to get a subsidized phone from them anyway? And you mention "hack"? I thought with the N900 and a good plan, there are no "hacks", or unauthorized uses? I know it's a bit straight-laced.

The calculations in your earlier postings don't make sense because $480 after 2 years is not the same as getting $480 now. I'm certainly not going to pay $650 for a phone if I can get, say, a Sholes, or Xperia X3 for $200. I'm an enthusiast and all, but c'mon, don't ask me to "do all us a favor and quit whining."

[somedude]

I can't make head or tail out of your postings. In this one, are you saying it'll only let me add this plan after I choose a voice plan and a phone? In which case, I have to get a subsidized phone from them anyway? And you mention "hack"? I thought with the N900 and a good plan, there are no "hacks", or unauthorized uses? I know it's a bit straight-laced.

The calculations in your earlier postings don't make sense because $480 after 2 years is not the same as getting $480 now. I'm certainly not going to pay $650 for a phone if I can get, say, a Sholes, or Xperia X3 for $200. I'm an enthusiast and all, but c'mon, don't ask me to "do all us a favor and quit whining."

Do you already have a Tmobile service or not? if you dont then anyway you have to get a plan with them if you want to use the 3G in USA. If you already do then all you need to do is call the customer service then ask them to put you in the plan i said earlier.
Do not worry about the hack that was for the Tzones which was long time ago when tmobile used to offer that web service which had a proxy settings and was a optimized wap access meaning you were only allowed to do certain things on web, not like having a total internet which did not block you on any thing you do with that internet. and that hack was for that plan. now there is no need of any kind of the hack if you have a web2go service.
I would really love to know where you would be getting a xperia X3 for $200, i will jump on that too. That phone has not been announced yet and there are only couple of pictures floating around and a UI video so far. And how could you be so sure that Tmobile will carry this and you will get it for 200. And whats the time frame you are looking at, waiting for another 2 years for that phone to drop in the market.
Its all up to you if you want to pay 25 for the same thing you will get for 5.

[christexaport]

You won't be required to get a phone with any TMo plan. Just pick a plan, pay the bill, ask for a sim, good to go.

[somedude]

Thats right flex pay, more likely a pre-paid monthly service, every thing you get on the contract plan you get on this except some features like loyalty plan and upgrade credit and so forth.

[SD69]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/18/t-mobile-starts-21mbps-hspa-rollout-in-philadelphia-nationwide/

Looks like we can use the 10mbps HSPA+ speed starting from 2010 if this is true.HSPA+ has already started. The base stations they're installing now support it and have improved management utilities - just a matter of flipping a switch after HSPA is going smoothly in an area...

For N900, speed boost may not be as important as battery life and latency improvements.

[christexaport]

I think the N900 only supports 3.5 or 7 mbps, not the 10, but I'm not going to swear by that.

[Crashdamage]

N900 definitely supports 10mbps HSUPA. Just wish it supported 21mbps HSPA+!! But nothing does...

[mistermix]

I just posted to both T-Mob threads on the N900. Here's my take on subsidy:

I'm a Verizon customer at the moment, and I might switch to T-Mob if they carried the N900, but I'd like to be able to try out their network for two weeks of intensive testing and be able to get my $$ back if it doesn't work for me. That's one of the benefits of a phone subsidy -- the wireless company takes some responsibility for the phone functioning on their network with their money-back guarantee.

Here's what I see on the T-Mob forums:

-- T-Mob says users can roam on AT&T, but as soon as they put up a few towers in an AT&T market, they turn off roaming in that market without warning. Customers who were pretty happy with T-Mob are now angry because they can't make calls from their homes.

-- 3G is limited to urban centers, and though the roll out is going at a pretty fast clip, it's likely that you're not going to get 3G in the suburbs for quite a while (and forget about rural areas). Without 3G, and without roaming, you might be on super-slow GPRS out in the sticks.

-- T-Mob tower coverage is thin in areas with coverage, so people can't receive/make calls indoors.

Verizon has many faults, but coverage is not one of them. They're 3G almost everywhere in the Northeast, and even little towns in the middle of nowhere are now EVDO. Plus, 1xRTT is actually pretty decent smartphone use, though I rarely see it.

If the N900 ran on Verizon's network, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, with or without subsidy. On T-mobile's network, not so much.

[gskimmel]

In the DC/Baltmore area, T-Mobile's coverage is better than AT&T...no one can beat Verizon's coverage.

[Nexus7]

...
I would really love to know where you would be getting a xperia X3 for $200, i will jump on that too. ... And whats the time frame you are looking at, waiting for another 2 years for that phone to drop in the market.
Its all up to you if you want to pay 25 for the same thing you will get for 5.

PhAndroid has a rumor for X3 in Jan. Sholes in pretty definite for Oct. But that isn't the point. If T-Mo subsidises the N900, or X3, or whatever, we don't know what the subsidy will be, and we don't know whether or not we can get the very plans you're talking about with the subsidized phones.

So given that we don't know a lot of these variables, and that a few WVGA phones with h/w kbd and Linux are launching in the next few months, how can you be so sure that getting an unsubsidised phone is the best option (assuming that I can wait, say, 2 months)?

[Laughing Man]

In the DC/Baltmore area, T-Mobile's coverage is better than AT&T...no one can beat Verizon's coverage.

Yeah I've noticed that. My gf on TMobile will get signal in places where me (on Sprint) can't get. Though everyone but Verizon won't get reception inside the D.C. Metro system until later October (so far Verizon is the only one with reception due to them making an early deal with Metro to have Metro install hardware for them). Now AT&T, TMobile, and Sprint are finally getting around to it.

[Team C]

Using the $10.00 unlimited data plan on T-mobile with the N900 is not something I would count on.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1571550
http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1571393
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1569991&page=1&pp=15
It would be great if we could as I would save $180.00 a year compared to my G1 plan

[somedude]

well I am using fring and gizmo on my N95 on the same plan no problem with out any hack or nothing so I guess it works for me so Lets see what happens when I get my phone some time would let you guys know.
And there are already lot of people using iphone with the service and getting a full internet access, it just doesnot make sense that this plan would work with every other smartphone except the N900. when i had the i7500 it did work with this too but I was not able to e recieve the MMS with out tweaks at the apn setting, that might be beacause Tmobile carries android and they have a different system for android phones, but if Tmobile will not carry the maemo there just would not be any problem(of course per the MMS this phone should be able to do it first)

[christexaport]

If you don't already have the $10 plan, it is discontinued. Old users get it grandfathered in.

[somedude]

If you don't already have the $10 plan, it is discontinued. Old users get it grandfathered in.

No you can still get it its called web2go and it is listed as 9.99 a month for unlimited data, if you want the unlimited txt and the unlimited data then that will be 19.99 for both.

[Team C]

If you don't already have the $10 plan, it is discontinued. Old users get it grandfathered in.
Looks like it still is there to me under other phones
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/information.aspx?PAsset=InternetEmail&tp=Svc_Tab_OtherPhones&WT.mc_n=InternetandEmailOtherPhones_categorytile4&WT.mc_t=OnsiteAd

[bugelrex]

Looks like it still is there to me under other phones
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/information.aspx?PAsset=InternetEmail&tp=Svc_Tab_OtherPhones&WT.mc_n=InternetandEmailOtherPhones_categorytile4&WT.mc_t=OnsiteAd

The confusion is arising because tmobile started to detect unlocked phones and tried to force those users into a more expensive smartphone ($25)plan.

[Team C]

The confusion is arising because tmobile started to detect unlocked phones and tried to force those users into a more expensive smartphone ($25)plan.
Exactly, it sounds like the N900 would need to be hacked so that the device registers on the network as a dumb phone under a different IMEI number.

[QueenShawtii]

I asked this in the Maemo 5- Apps you want in thread. But Is it possible to hack the phone and switch the IMEI # with another Nokia dumbphone that I have but do not use anymore? I thought there used to be an app like that for S60.

[Nexus7]

PhAndroid has a rumor for X3 in Jan. Sholes in pretty definite for Oct.

Hmmm... the new pix of the X3 are out, and somehow I'd assumed that it had a keyboard. If so, it isn't pictured.

[christexaport]

isn't the x3 the featurephone announced at NW09? Its a slider, that's why you don't see the keys.
http://gdgt.com/nokia/x3/images/

[rjcooke]

I just called T-mobile and spoke to a customer support rep. He explained to me that the difference between the $10/mo data plan and the $24/mo smartphone plan (sans unlimited messaging) is that the cheap plan is for dumb phones and doesn't actually provide direct internet access. The phone requests pages through a proxy that generates images of the pages and sends those to the phone. I don't know how javascript or Flash would work with such a scheme. Can anyone verify this?

[texaslabrat]

I just called T-mobile and spoke to a customer support rep. He explained to me that the difference between the $10/mo data plan and the $24/mo smartphone plan (sans unlimited messaging) is that the cheap plan is for dumb phones and doesn't actually provide direct internet access. The phone requests pages through a proxy that generates images of the pages and sends those to the phone. I don't know how javascript or Flash would work with such a scheme. Can anyone verify this?

The representative doesn't understand how proxies work. While I can't verify if port 80 is transparently proxied (probably is if for no other reason than to cache images for bandwidth savings), you get the "real" page on the device. I've tethered my N800 with my t-mobile $10 data-plan phone and it works just fine.

I suppose if I was *really* bored I could do a netstat dump while I was surfing to see how the sockets were connecting, but I'm not that bored yet :p

[SubCore]

funny fact:
t-mobile austria currently offers this little data option:

4142

Source (http://www.t-mobile.at/privat/tarife/vorteilspakete/klax_vorteilspakete/index.html)

that's right, 10 MEGABYTES for 5 Euros. and 6€ for every following megabyte.
but hey, at least you get a free mailaddress :D

to put things a bit in perspective, this is the data option for the plan-less KLAX service. you activate it for 30 days, one-time payment without contract.
there's another prepaid data service, 1GB for 20€ (http://www.t-mobile.at/privat/mobiles_internet/klax_wertkarte/klax_internet/index.html), but you get a different sim-card for that.

if you wanna go prepaid with the n900 on t-mobile in austria though, and use it for voice calling as well, the first one is your only choice :)

[pycage]

funny fact:
t-mobile austria currently offers this little data option:

4142

Source (http://www.t-mobile.at/privat/tarife/vorteilspakete/klax_vorteilspakete/index.html)

that's right, 10 MEGABYTES for 5 Euros. and 6€ for every following megabyte.
but hey, at least you get a free mailaddress :D

to put things a bit in perspective, this is the data option for the plan-less KLAX service. you activate it for 30 days, one-time payment without contract.
there's another prepaid data service, 1GB for 20€ (http://www.t-mobile.at/privat/mobiles_internet/klax_wertkarte/klax_internet/index.html), but you get a different sim-card for that.

if you wanna go prepaid with the n900 on t-mobile in austria though, and use it for voice calling as well, the first one is your only choice :)

Wow, totally braindead. They should call this plan WAP'n Walk as you can't do much more with it. ;)

[sjgadsby]

that's right, 10 MEGABYTES for 5 Euros. and 6€ for every following megabyte.

if you wanna go prepaid with the n900 on t-mobile in austria though, and use it for voice calling as well, [this] is your only choice

Well, if you want to go prepaid with the N900 on T-Mobile in the USA (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx)--data and voice--you're simply out of luck. The only T-Mobile USA prepaid plan with data is "Sidekick Prepaid". It's $1/day (whether used or not), $0.15/minute voice, and T-Mobile USA has begun cracking down to prevent non-Sidekick devices from using it.

If you're willing to give up 3G, you can use your N900 prepaid in the US on AT&T's network. There, you can buy 1 MB/month for $4.99 or 100 MB/month for $19.99 (http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/prepaid-feature-packages.jsp). Beyond that, it's $10 per 1 MB (http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp).

[SubCore]

:eek:

ok, those prices are creepy.

i guess that's how the providers try to make it difficult for drug dealers etc... because those are obviously the only people interested in pre-paid plans...:rolleyes:

[christexaport]

TMoUSA's WAP settings allow full desktop browsing, from my experience. I've never used a Nokia smartphone on 3G, just TZones, the old $5.99 plan. All flash and stuff worked fine, but some ports were blocked, blocking my IM and VOIP apps.

[somedude]

TMoUSA's WAP settings allow full desktop browsing, from my experience. I've never used a Nokia smartphone on 3G, just TZones, the old $5.99 plan. All flash and stuff worked fine, but some ports were blocked, blocking my IM and VOIP apps.

have you ever chaged the apn to epc.tmobile.com and checked it out? with that apn I am able to make calls through fring on N95 with edge connected and the call quality was not that bad either.

[daveb70]

Yeah...that ain't happening given that Sprint uses CDMA (I think). Even if TMobile bought Sprint or they merged you'd just have two seperate celluar networks..

(I wonder how hard it is to make a phone with every radio in it)..do those phones even exist?

No. The radios are the most expensive parts of the device.

I wouldn't say every radio, but GSM and CDMA? Sure- check out any "global" Blackberry and a couple of other phones on the Verizon network. First model for VZW was the 8830, then the Storm. Now they have the Tour, and I believe every future VZW compatible BB will come with SIM (GSM capability). They used to force you to call them, request global access, they'd then ship a SIM (probably 2 days tops) and update your account. Now, the Tour comes with a SIM and is ready out of the box.

Verizon was taking a hit on the global traveler market. Sure, you could rent/borrow a GSM phone or BB when going overseas, but that's just one more thing to be done before the big trip.

BTW, Japan uses some additional bands not found on the U.S. offerings and so a rental would still be needed there, unless you grab something cheap while in Japan.

[Nexus7]

isn't the x3 the featurephone announced at NW09? Its a slider, that's why you don't see the keys.
http://gdgt.com/nokia/x3/images/

Nah... the Sony Xperia X3.
http://gizmodo.com/5319495/android+based-sony-ericsson-xperia-x3-full-specs-and-large-images

[klinglerware]

BTW, Japan uses some additional bands not found on the U.S. offerings and so a rental would still be needed there, unless you grab something cheap while in Japan.

I don't know for sure, but I've read elsewhere that you will have cell phone coverage in Japan if your phone has the 2100 3G band. Since the n900 has that band, those users should be good to go in that department.

[c0rt3x]

Unfortunately all requests for N900 on T-Mobile were lost...

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&thread.id=1912

There seems to have been some technical issues with the Forums where a number of our larger threads were lost. We managed to recover some of the bigger ones but unfortunately the Request for the N900 was lost. :smileysad:

So, feel free to start another one here :smileyhappy:

Kyle
Moderator, T-Mobile Forums

[geneven]

Just tell them that there were 100,000 requests :)

[mykenyc]

people should all request just wish you didn't have to register probably be more requests.

[christexaport]

maybe the TMO forums is managed by Danger.

[MountainX]

Unfortunately all requests for N900 on T-Mobile were lost...

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&thread.id=1912

Holy cow! That is bad. And disappointing. I had several posts there that I put time into. Hate to see it all lost.

[QueenShawtii]

Rumor is N900 is not going to be subsidized by magenta. http://tmotoday.com/blogs/william/10/19/2009/no-n900-t-mobile-heres-n97-mini-your-troubles

[Laughing Man]

Thanks for the info, looks like I'll be ordering from Amazon once my gift card arrives.

[penguinbait]

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Nokia1&message.id=1963


The original thread on t-mobile forums is GONE


Please go back and repost your request for the n900 on the T-mobile forums.

NOW

[penguinbait]

This used to be a big thread on T-Mobile site and it was erased, please come back and show your support again............................................. .........