so i'm a die hard 87xx form factor, i won't even entertain the thought of a curve, pearl or 88xx
has anyone tried the 8707 on the us networks?
does the 3g work with the networks?
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so i'm a die hard 87xx form factor, i won't even entertain the thought of a curve, pearl or 88xx
has anyone tried the 8707 on the us networks?
does the 3g work with the networks?
There is not a clear, (or short!) answer to your question because the frequency on which carriers are running their 3G/UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA networks is going through a series of evolutions and changes.
The 8707 UMTS/3G Blackberry launched over two year ago operates on the 2100MHz frequency. This is the frequency UMTS primarily operates on in Europe. In the USA the 2100MHz frequency was already allocated, so early 3G/UMTS services run/ran on 1900MHz. AT&T launched UMTS on 1900MHz in 2004, Cingular continues to use this frequency.
This implies that early UMTS data cards purchased in the US cannot run on UMTS in Europe, and vice-versa. And the Blackberry 8707 will at best only provide very patchy coverage in the US.
To add to the soup of standards, (that's the best thing about standards, there are always so many to choose from:)) T-Mobile USA used 2100MHz and 1700MHz for it's early UMTS networks.
An increasing number of carriers worldwide are in the process of, or will likely soon run 3G and 3.5G networks on the 850MHz spectrum. One of the key advantages of deploying 3G/3.5G on 850MHz is the lower cost. At 850MHz fewer cell towers are needed to provide equivalant coverage.
Future 3G and 3.5G capable Blackberrys will need to be able to connect to multiple frequencies for the device to be used by international travellers.
Take a look at the frequencies a single, top of the range European data card now supports, an Option GT Express 401
Option: wireless technology
Multimode HSUPA/ HSDPA/ UMTS/ EDGE/ GPRS/ GSM modem
International 3.5G coverage (2100/ 1900/ AWS/ 900)
International 2G coverage (1900/ 1800/ 900/ 850)
HSUPA up to 2 Mbps (5.76 Ready), HSDPA up to 7.2 Mbps
EDGE/ GPRS/ GSM data up to 247 Kbps
Integrated Dual Antenna performance
so to summarize
1) 2100 mhz 3g is only available for T-Mobile
2) t-mobile operates its 3g network on both 2100 mhz and 1700 mhz
3) since the 8707 is only runs 3g on the 2100 mhz then i would get spotty t-mobile 3g at best
Yes, and to cap it all - with the ongoing changes in allocation of spectrum and the moving to other frequencies, a two year old plus 2100MHz only capable Blackberry used in the US could very quickly become unsuable.
In addition, until the Blackberry operating system and processor is better designed to be able to cope and fully benefit with the faster transmission levels offered by UMTS/3G, the time it takes for the 8707 to fully render web pages is not significantly faster than when connecting via EDGE.
Thank god I didn't but that 8707 for 400 on ebay.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
Too bad, mine is 8707. Maxis keeps pushing for this model. Anyway, there aren't many to choose from, over here. :(
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
I have an 8707V that I use on T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile's 3G network is live in New York and I do not get 3G coverage. I believe this is because TMob uses different frequencies for the up and down links.