T-Mobile's First 3G Phone Goes on Sale

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

October 12, 2007, 2:40 PM

Although it has yet to launch its high-speed wireless network, T-Mobile is selling its first 3G-capable phone - but only in select New York City stores. The Samsung T639 handset, which supports GSM/EDGE and WCDMA 1700 networks, was approved by the FCC in July.

T-Mobile is the only major wireless provider in the United States not to offer a 3G network; rivals Verizon, AT&T and Sprint have been building out their networks for years. But sales of the T639 may be the first real indicator that T-Mobile is preparing to finally launch its high-speed offering in some markets. T-Mobile acquired wireless licenses for the 1700 MHz band in a 2006 auction.