A few months ago, an FCC filing revealed that the Dell Streak was approved for use on the AWS spectrum. Also known as UMTS Band IV, the Advanced Wireless Services spectrum is owned by T-Mobile and used for the carrier's 3G network (1700/2100MHz), which is why T-Mobile users weren't happy that "UMTS 2100/1900/850MHz" was listed in the tech specs on the Streak's new US product page. Don't be confused by the 2100MHz band; you need to see 1700 for T-Mobile 3G (the carrier uses 1700 up, 2100 down).
Although FCC clearance does not guarantee that the product will actually be released, there are at least a few of the T-Mobile 3G-supporting units in the wild. A member of the Pocketables Forum, for example, has an AWS engineering sample in his possession and says he's seen two others on eBay a few weeks ago (a search of the completed listings doesn't confirm this).
He says the build number and baseband are the same as the AT&T beta devices, so if you're a T-Mobile user and you can find another one of these engineering samples somewhere, then you should be getting fairly stable/mature firmware. You'll also be freed from waiting to see if an official T-Mo version will ever be released.
So they do exist!!! But the question is if/when they go in to full production. I would ecstatic if this model was one of the choices for the “pre-sale”.
If dell releases this version in Canada they will have a lot of sales. Canada has a National carrier, Wind and a regional carrier, Mobilicity that use the AWS 1700 band. Unlocked Android devices are scarce up here to say the least. Thanks for the info, it’s time to go get everyones hopes up and spread the word.
Ahh! Just the news I am waiting for. You are awesome Jenn. Always finds the best news.
I hate contracts and T-Mo’s EvenMorePlus plan suits best for me. Anybody else holding their horses until T-Mo version is available?
baffling that they do not release a quadband Streak (850, 1700, 1900, 2100MHz), it’s called economies of scale! it’s Dell after all they should know better…
This is huge news! I’m so excited (and nervous) that the AWS Streak may actually get produced. In this day and age, I find it frustrating how many devices aren’t compatible between these UMTS bands. I suppose it really does cost that much more to do it, or it’s really not worth the cost. At any rate, I really, really hope the AWS version comes to life.
Well I for one will be getting a Dell Streak only when it’s from Dell and AWS… I will get it sent to someone in the US if i have to but i much prefer getting it from Dell.ca
It’s about having a fantastic phone on Wind Mobile, and avoiding the other crap phone company’s.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we have to wait till September.
Cell phone manufactorers would love to do that if they could. The problem is that the 1900 band in North American interferes with the AWS 1700 band. That is why they all have to make two different band versions of cell phones.
Thanks for posting this Jenn, it was getting kinda frustrating trying to repeat this to people in the forums, that AWS Streaks are out there. If Dell is going to put them into full production though, is another story…
I too was hoping that a “T-Mobile” option would be on that “pre-sale” list.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be real!
so I take it, the aws phones were part of the beta test phones that are floating around?
then how is Nokia able to pull it off with their Nokia n8?
I believe the AWS engineer has one but the ones on Ebay are BS, and no where was it mentioned that it was part of the 1000 beta tested phones.
I was going to reply that most phones in the Eurozone, Asia and even middleEast/Africa for that matter have the capability to switch bands for instance Nokia GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band)- WCDMA: 900/1900/2100 HSDPA (Tri-Band)…so adding a toggle on the system settings doesn’t seem to be a big deal, may even be easier than trying to squeeze Froyo into the Streak…
From what I understand, the N8 is the only phone currently out there with a quint-band (five-band) radio. I don’t know for sure, but I am guessing that it is Nokia’s tech, or it’d be in more phones. Either that, or T-Mobile and AT&T don’t like the idea of having phones that can do 3G on their competitor’s networks…
They are actually showing 5 bands with that phone. I haven’t heard of a 5 band umts chip being manufactured so either they have dual sim cards or they will have 2 models.
To make it easier on you GSM is 2G and HSDPA is 3G. I have not seen a quad band 3G phone on the market. The other thing I have never seen is a North American phone with 850-1900-1700 on it. The 1700 is a UMTS band and does not support 2G signals
Yes, saddly I will have to wait on a TMOUS version, because I have a HD2, and into a 2yr contract, only 6 months in the contract.
I don’t think i can wait and hope for a tmobile version to come out… I’ll probably buy the unlocked streak from dell when it’s released, and just suffer the non-3g speeds on tmo… if they don’t release a tmo version. :/
It makes no sense to offer an unsubsidized/unlocked phone for a carrier (att) that doesn’t offer a discounted rate plan for not being under contract… orz orz orz
that’s so true…
I really wanted to do the same but if a t-mobile version comes out after a month or so, I would have to go through the hassle of selling the att one and buying a new one. If there is no news of t-mobile version for a month after this release, hoping that dell won’t run out of stock, i can buy this att version then.
That’s what is going on in my mind now. But who knows what I do when I get that pre-order email.
Infact, the pre-order offerings are not so attractive. i don’t care about 2nd day shipping and bluetooth. And looking at the number of comments in all these forums discussing the Streak and considering how long they have kept this pre-order offer open, I don’t think Dell will run out of stock very soon. So I don’t consider pre-order worthy enough to me. I think I will wait until they say something about t-mobile version.
I have spoken with several representatives at t-mobile about the 1700 band being for uploading only, and 2100 band for downloading only and according to them this simply is not true. That there will be full functionality regardless of which is available, or used.
The US beta version I have with UMTS 2100/1900/850MHz doesn’t connect to T-Mobile 3G. It’s EDGE only.
AWS is band IV: 1710-1755MHz UL frequency, 2110-2155MHz DL frequency. UMTS band I is the “real” 2100 and it isn’t used in the US.
This is why there were two GSM versions of the Nexus One: one for AT&T 3G (850/1900/2100) and one for T-Mobile 3G (900/1700/2100).
Jenn K. Lee please site your sources for this information. After speaking with Management of Tech Support on T-mobile I keep getting conflicting information.
Here are the facts from Tmo’s web site;
http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm23715.xml
Thanks Ihavemilk I appreciate the effort. In all honesty I had that documentation already. The confusion comes in when I had Tmobile look at the product & its specks they state that their 2100 band would support the 3G. However, there would be certain programming done in order to ensure it would work. The other area of discrepancy is where Jenn has stated that the two different bands that Tmobile uses 1700 and 2100 are utilized as uploading and downloading. According to Tmobile corporate in which I also contacted they also stated that this is not accurate. Both bands can upload and download either both together or independently even if a product can only use one of the bands for the 3G. So I am trying to ascertain where this information is coming from to clear up the confusion. After repeatedly calling, emailing, and checking with local stores, tmobile online, and their coporate, here I am getting consistent responses from sales, technical support, and corporate regarding their 3G technology & how it works and what bands can work etc. with phones etc. Grated the phones themselves should be unlocked & possess the proper programming to function fully. So in a last best effort I called Dell.com US and received responses that the technical specs posted is all the information they have currently available to them for the unit itself is still classified as ‘in production’ and the final documentation has not be remitted to their sales staff. They expect the receive this any day now or within the next week. Once again I do appreciate the help and any help I can get on the subject. Jenn has also been great at reporting on the streak and providing insight on queries etc. so far and I am very thankful. My aim here is to verify information so that I can relay the information accurately and thoroughly.
sorry the typos I am tired, long day. Also – Ihavemilk – I love your screen name ‘Ihavemilk’
It is just plain fact, Corvin. AWS is 1700/2100. T-Mobile uses AWS for their 3G network. Look at the specs of every single T-Mobile 3G phone and compare it to the UMTS bands listed for every single AT&T 3G phone and you’ll know it’s the truth. Plain and simple. It’s fact.
If you don’t believe it, then buy the Streak that’s being advertised now (the one without 1700 band) and find out for yourself. You will be disappointed and feel foolish that you did not believe the facts.
Oh, also, if the bands currently listed were compatible with T-Mobile 3G, why do you think people are still asking for a T-Mobile version? It’s because the current bands are for AT&T!
Yo Corvin get your head out of yer ass. Jenn is correct there are 2 diffrent communication chips working here. The band being used in the ATT version does not work on the T-Mobile version and vise versa.
Xfiles – Not sure of the tone here but I am in full agreement on the AWS/UMTS and the 1700/2100. These items were not in dispute it was other information concerning these bands and their usage/programming that left some confusion. However, I have received the information I needed off forum/list and am very grateful for all those who helped me in the research. It was a whirlwind and a lesson in determination that is for sure. Peace
GetaClue – First my head is not in my ass! Secondly all I was doing was requesting for clarification on sources of information. Conflicting reports from various sources would of course have any one wondering.
So how was Samsung able to do it with the Samsung Vibrant then?