Still waiting on other shoe...
 

So, new RX-51 appears to be near to release. That's good! Specs look nice, etc. Initial rumors are that it will be a T-Mo product. Hmm, I am on AT&T. Well, maybe I can buy it unlocked. Oops, T-Mo uses different frequency band for its 3G than AT&T. Humph. Wonder if Nokia will release a phone for AT&T?

No, I won't switch carriers to get this device. Although I won't sing AT&T's praises, they've never done anything to cause me to seriously consider switching. I guess living in AT&T's hometown (San Antonio) helps.

TANJ.

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

whats stopping nokia from providing a gsm radio that can talk at&t as well as t-mobile bands?

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

Quadband GSM is one thing, 3G support is another.

Nokia has released most of their N Series smartphones unlocked in the US with AT&T 3G frequency support. They have not released any parallel versions with T-mobile 3G frequencies.

My guess is that if this device will remain without a carrier subsidy, they will only produce it with support for one GSM carrier's 3G network and not the other.

On the other hand, since Maemo on a phone is thus far unproven--Nokia may be going with support for only the T-mobile band since it is the smaller carrier in terms of number of subscribers. I suppose that it is less of a risk to "live test" this device on T-mobile, rather than potentially alienating AT&T's larger user base if something does go wrong.

If all goes well, I would presume that more maemo phone devices would be forthcoming that would be usable on the AT&T 3g network.

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

quick guess is that nokia uses radios that have their frequencies set in hardware, and as such need to burn thru the existing stock of non-t-mobile chips before deploying ones that also work on t-mobile.

this based on t-mobile only recently getting its UTMS frequencies, iirc.

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

So... how do you feel about their move to Dallas? :D

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

It's funny. When I was stationed in San Angelo, TX in the 80s, I seem to recall that being the headquarters of the late, great Southwestern Bell (RIP). Years later, I'm in San Antonio, where AT&T made its home.

Hmmm, I wonder if there's a move in my future? :D

Seriously, I didn't know they were moving. It really doesn't matter to me. Them being here probably had nothing at all to do with the fairly decent 3G coverage....

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

Maybe AT&T felt they already had a full plate, pi**ing off iPhone owners...:D

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

Or it's the fact that T-mobile has a worldwide presence, while AT&T is just the USA.

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

We have recently come to the conclusion that Nokia absolutely does not care about the US market. . . .

I'd switch if I could but, first, T-Mobile coverage (especially 3G coverage) in my area sucks and, second, I'm on a family plan at the moment that includes two iPhones.

Re: Still waiting on other shoe...
 

Agreed...

If they did they would saturate this market with low cost tablets. They could then use community forums like ours to distribute FOSS software or provide a means with which to BT tether to any and all US carrier subsidized phones.

There are plenty of people in the middle of contracts that have BT capable phones that are not "Smart" phones. Some would jump on the opportunity to test drive "smart" phone features on their current networks without committing to another 2 years of contract.

With an NIT they could also take these new found features with them if they choose another carrier.