Although TMobil USA has the smallest
native network out of all the national U.S. carriers, it has roaming
arrangements with major competitor Cingular as well as with a number of
regional carriers such as Centennial Wireless, Dobson, Unicel and SunCom;
however, at present T-Mobile To Go prepaid customers have roaming on only a
few networks, one being Cingular for nationwide roaming coverage.
T-Mobile exclusively uses the GSM 1900
MHz frequency to build out its native network. Most roaming coverage, however,
is provided by affiliate carriers using GSM 850 MHz band (although some is
provided using the GSM 1900 MHz band).
T-Mobile also launched an EDGE (Enhanced Data
Rates for GSM Evolution) network in 75% of its GSM footprint in September
2005. In 2006, T-Mobile plans to spend more time improving coverage and
filling gaps in suburban areas, as their network is already well built out in
urban areas. In September, 2006, T-Mobile won a bid for large portions of the
3G Spectrum.
The 3G network will be based on the UMTS/HSDPA
1700MHz and 2100Mhz bands. T-Mobile grabbed up 120 bids covering 474 million
people, which means they have multiple spectrums covering the super-urban
areas and should be launched sometime in 2007.
In contrast with T-Mobile's other international markets, customers do
not automatically have access to international roaming. Contract
customers require a credit check before the service is enabled, and prepaid
customers do not have international roaming at all.
The service, called "WorldClass" must be added
before traveling overseas, or, if caught overseas by surprise, through a call
to T-Mobile from another line. Activation is not instantanious. Once
provisioned however, there is no monthly fee to maintain international roaming
coverage.
