NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Unlocked HTC Android G1 on AT&T Will Be S-l-o-w
Unlocked HTC Android G1 on AT&T Will Be S-l-o-w
http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000434.html
Greetings. A couple of days ago I discussed the issue of T-Mobile's
1 GB limit on 3G data usage per billing cycle, after which extreme
data speed throttling may be imposed
( http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000433.html ). I also speculated
that an unlocked HTC G1 Google Android phone running on AT&T's
network instead of T-Mobile's might be quite a treat.
Unfortunately, it turns out that there's a catch. The G1 appears to
be specifically designed -- at least in its current T-Mobile
incarnation, to be incompatible with AT&T's two 3G network
frequencies, which are different from T-Mobile's single 3G
frequency. Whether this could be changed strictly through firmware
alterations is unclear at this time.
An unlocked T-Mobile G1 could still operate in conventional
GSM/GPRS/EDGE modes on the AT&T network, but the lower data speeds
would obviously impact the user experience.
There is no obvious technical reason for such a limitation to be in
place, so it seems reasonable to assume that it is a purposeful
decision to discourage movement of the device between networks.
Note that Apple's iPhone is in a similar situation -- it's tied to
AT&T and its 3G frequencies are incompatible with T-Mobile 3G.
I still think that the G1 and Android look like a great combination,
but if you're ever tempted by unlocked current versions of the G1
(or iPhone for that matter) and are thinking about moving them to
the competing 3G-capable network, keep in mind that 3G speeds will
be out of reach, not by accident or technical necessity, but
apparently purely by marketing design.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren@vortex.com or lauren@pfir.org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
- People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad
- Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com