I don't think the N900 is going to get ATT to reconfigure their network. So therefore, let's just call it a Knuckle under to TMO. Is there a more plausible explanation?

Agree, I live in the US and refuse to go to a frequency 90% of the rest of the world doesnt use.

That being said I get 1MP down and 500k up on 3g here in DC on tmobile

Yeah, if by "world" you mean "Europe". AT&T's frequencies are used in places as varied as South American, Canada, Mexico, Australia and several Asian countries.

It's more complicated than that - 900/1800mhz bands here were already in use for other functions than cellular, so that's one reason for the incompatibility

Ich Bin Ein Europeaner!

"Real" 3G bands?! TMobile is just as real, and were shut out for years, despite being the home to most of the Nokia smartphone user base. They caused TMobileUSA harm by making NAM models at&t only in the US, and are only getting its consumers back where they wanted to be in the first place: On a better network with lower prices and better policies on data and app usage.

Wished we could see a quadband WCDMA device, but LTE/WiMax will arise before that happens, IMO.

And here's T-Mobile USA's 3G speed:

via: http://www.intomobile.com/2009/10/15...34-mbs-up.html

T-Mobile doesn't have anything approaching the coverage or customer base that AT&T does.

What kicked me over to ATT was when i was traveling and couldn't use my phone. Let me rephrase that:

1) Couldn't use my Phone at my house in the Palm Beaches of S. FL. Not exactly a Rural area with no population
2) Couldn't use my Phone at My Parents house in North West FL
3) Had to borrow my Co-workers phones when traveling internationally
4) Pretty much couldn't use the phone damn near anywhere. Stray away from the top 20 cities in the country or get off the Interstate and you can forget it.

I had an awesome Grandfather'd in package and those data numbers you guys put up look great, but if you can't use the network, who cares.

When TMO worked, it was great and cheap for me. However, pretty much hardly ever worked.

If TMO built out their Network, I'd be all over them. I absolutely hate ATT customer service, no matter what product you get from them, they are idiots to deal with. I've dealt with them buying circuits all the way up to OC-192, they are widjuts start to finish.

So TMO, get your act together and I'll be there. In the meantime, I need to make a few phone calls...

My plan, use the N900 on ATT, leveraging WiFi as much as possible for speed. Then wait for the initial TMO subsidy deal to end and snap up the next N900 or N9XX that is not crippleware.

the square mileage of coverage is greater for at&t, but the percentage of population coverage is alot smaller than you may think. But I see your point. I just think TMo does such a great job with the consumers they do have, and with the fast 3G deployments scheduled the next 6 quarters, I think they're a formidable alternative to att.