Matching firmwares to carrier freqs/equipment

[Technarch]

This is a technical question that I am not sure we will ever get an exact answer to. Most of the world runs 3G on 2100 and can use different network providers like Lucent-Alcatel and Nokia in addition to Ericcson.

From what I can determine, Rogers runs 850/1900 and uses mostly Ericcson (if not entirely). Telstra is the same for both.

Is it possible that the Telstra 4.6.0.144 approved for their network has little tweaks to be happier on their equipment and frequency range, or it makes no difference?

I am not sure what exactly comprises the internals of a RIM software release.. obviously application updates and bug fixes.. but when it comes to the RADIO component, is that software fine-tuned or is it strictly hardware only and locked on the motherboard?

[homegeek]

The Bold has certain hardware radio frequencies that you mentioned. However from what I noticed, the OS update does not specifically improve one frequency over another because of a particular carrier OS upgrade.

[branta]

Its almost certainly not a question of firmware, even within the RF chipset. The RF components in modern phones are essentially a single megachip, they work at design frequencies and that's the end of it. There is no real way to 'adjust' the working frequencies, it will be easier to start a new design. This requires (a lot of) development time, and a significant financial investment so it will only happen when there is a reasonable probability of bottom line profit.

At this time T-Mobile USA appears to be the only cellular service in the world with a 1.7GHz frequency allocation for 3G. It doesn't have a massive share of the market, and there are other providers covering the same geographic service areas with supported 3G frequencies. This makes it a high risk development - single target, and relatively small potential market which could migrate away before development is complete. Chipset designers will not be falling over themselves to pick up any high risk project while credit is tight so T-Mo will probably have to fund the development of a suitable 3G RF chipset, or at least make a significant contribution before work begins.