The 4G wars are really getting fierce, and we adore the smell of bandwidth within the morning. The newest volley comes from T-Mobile, taking this opportunity to let us all know that its HSPA+ network is more pervasive than any other 4G offering within the nation, currently covering 85 million people within the States and growing to 185 million by 2011. Obviously, HSPA+ isn\’t true 4G in that it\’s (theoretically) slower than LTE and WiMAX, a degree that AT&T is definitely still grumbling about. But, sometimes it’s important to go to war with the network you’ve got, not the network you would want or prefer to have at a later time.
Customers also will take advantage of speed boosts on 16 of T-Mobile\’s available 3G devices and expanded availability of mobile broadband products in nearly 50 markets
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced the ongoing expansion of its super-fast mobile broadband network to more than 85 million Americans-probably the most pervasive network to give 4G speeds1 inside the country. T-Mobile® is on target to deliver HSPA+ speeds in 100 major metropolitan areas with backhaul in place, covering 185 million people within the U.S. by the tip of this year.
\” The aggressive pace of our HSPA+ network rollout means our customers can enjoy a smarter mobile broadband experience on more devices in more places today-but we\’re not done yet. Our first HSPA+ smartphone is coming soon and our footprint will double between now and the top of the year.\”
Now HSPA+ network service is offered in nearly 50 major metropolitan areas across the country, with the most recent additions including Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas; Baltimore, Md.; Baton Rouge and Lafayette, La.; Birmingham, Ala.; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio; Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville, Fla.; Greenville, S.C.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Indianapolis, Ind.; Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Portland, Ore.; and Wichita, Kan. As well, T-Mobile has expanded coverage in cities in previously announced metropolitan areas including La, Big apple and Washington, D.C. 4G speeds are now available for purchasers in Alexandria, McLean and Reston, Va.; Anaheim, Burbank, Glendale, Irvine, Long Beach, and Ontario, CA; Annapolis, Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md.; and Asheville and Hickory, N.C.
Furthermore, 16 of T-Mobile\’s current 3G devices, including more than a dozen smartphones,2 can have the benefit of enhanced speeds after they\’re on the super-fast HSPA+ network in all of these major metropolitan areas, including the latest smartphone available from T-Mobile-the Samsung Vibrant. And later this summer, T-Mobile will unveil its first HSPA+-capable smartphone. More details will probably be available inside the coming weeks.
\” T-Mobile\’s HSPA+ network now offers 4G speeds to more people than any other wireless network within the country,\” said Neville Ray, chief network officer for T-Mobile USA. \” The aggressive pace of our HSPA+ network rollout means our customers can enjoy a wiser mobile broadband experience on more devices in more places today-but we\’re not done yet. Our first HSPA+ smartphone is coming soon and our footprint will double between now and the tip of the year.\”
Complementing the network expansion is wider availability of the T-Mobile® webConnect® broadband products in T-Mobile retail stores in all HSPA+ areas including the webConnect Rocket™ USB Laptop Stick, the first HSPA+-capable device from a national U.S. wireless carrier and the Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 with T-Mobile webConnect, T-Mobile\’s first netbook.
Also beginning today, T-Mobile is introducing the webConnect Rocket 2.0 USB Laptop Stick, an updated form factor of its first HSPA+-capable device. Featuring a new rotating swivel USB form factor, the webConnect Rocket 2.0 is designed to deliver an identical home broadband experience on the go as its predecessor, so customers can surf the net, download large files or watch video from a laptop anytime on-the-select a blazing-fast connection. The webConnect Rocket 2.0 enables customers to take full benefit of T-Mobile\’s HSPA+ network in areas where the service is obtainable-delivering 4G speeds.
T-Mobile network service is currently available within the following major metropolitan areas: Albany, N.Y.; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Baton Rouge, La.; Birmingham, Ala.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Charleston, S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, OH; Dallas/Ft. Worth; Dayton, Ohio; El Paso, Texas; Fayetteville, N.C.; Ft Lauderdale, Fla.; Greensboro, N.C.; Greenville, S.C.; Hartford, Conn.; Honolulu; Houston; Indianapolis; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas; L. a.; Memphis, Tenn.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Minneapolis, Minn.; New Orleans, La.; The big apple; Oklahoma City; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; Providence, R.I.; Rochester, N.Y.; San Antonio; Seattle; St. Louis, Mo; Syracuse, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; Tulsa, Okla.; Waco, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Wichita, Kan. The HSPA+ network expansion is on target to achieve 100 metro areas by year end. For additional information, please visit http://t-mobile-coverage.t-mobile.com/coverage.

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