There is Hope For Nokia N900 Variant Using AT&T’s 3G in the US

August 29th, 2009 • • 37 comments

The Nokia N900 sure looks like the next Nokia device to get, but the announcement leaves current Nokia ‘NAM’ users in the dark. For the past few years in the US, I had to be an AT&T subscriber if I wanted high-end Nokia phones with 3G internet. Nokia produced phone variations labeled ‘NAM’ that worked with AT&T’s high-speed network. The Nokia N900 announced recently will not work with AT&T’s 3G, but there is hope for a forthcoming variation.

Nokia N900 nam

If you look closely at the specs, the Nokia N900 supports WCDMA 900/1700/2100 MHz. The Nokia NAM phones (like Nokia N85 NAM, E71 NAM, 5800 NAM, etc.) supported WCDMA 850/1900/2100 MHz. T-mobile subscribers will be happy to finally use 3G on a Nokia Nseries, but it is safe to say that the Nokia fanatics in the US are mostly on AT&T to take advantage of the 3G bands.

One of our readers, Alvin, wrote to Nokia about this issue and forwarded over their response.

Alvin,

You are correct, we’ve announced the Nokia N900 yesterday. We have not announced where it will be available but have just said that it will be released in select regions.

Regarding the network bands, you are correct – we announced a WCDMA 900/1700/2100 MHz bands. We have not made any announcements regarding an 850/1900/2100 MHz band device. An announcement will be forthcoming.

Thanks,
Joe

Alvin interprets this email as a hint that another variation may be announced. What do you think?

Update:Joe Gallo from Nokia AND the sender of this email quoted above has notified me that this email was fabricated. The original email did not include the last sentence.

Mark,

Here’s the email trail I had with “Alvin.” As you can see, there was no statement regarding “a forthcoming announcement” and the fact that he positioned himself as a writer for you is equally disheartening as, if it was not for our outstanding relationship, it could’ve been a serious issue.

I’ll be calling you shortly to discuss what measures we can take to ensure this doesn’t happen again and to ensure the proper message is issued on the Nokia Blog regarding N900.

Thanks,
Joe

Here’s the proper email trail provided by Mr. Gallo:

From: ext Alvin [email address removed]
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 12:20 PM
To: Corp Communication (RES-Nokia/USA)
Subject: Question about Nokia N900 release

Hello there,
I write for a website called nokiablog.com and i would like to find out as per your announcement of the Nokia N900 whether this is a global release and if not, if there will be a global release sometime soon.

I have also noticed that the N900 has been announced with WCDMA 900/1700/2100 MHz bands. It seems like its being release for use on the tmobile network in the USA. I would like to find out if there will eventually be an WCDMA 850/1900/2100 version for the AT&T network in the USA. Seems a strange move to leave out AT&T customers with the release of the N900.

I would like some kind of claification on this issue as there are thousands of emails in my inbox from folks who use AT&T asking about whether this phone will be eventually be released for use on the AT&T network.

Thank you kindly and I await your response.

Alvin.

On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 4:35 PM, wrote:
Alvin,

You are correct, we’ve announced the Nokia N900 yesterday. We have not announced where it will be available but have just said that it will be released in select regions.

Regarding the network bands, you are correct – we announced a WCDMA 900/1700/2100 MHz bands. We have not made any announcements regarding an 850/1900/2100 MHz band device.

Thanks,
Joe

From: ext Alvin (last name removed) [Email address removed]
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 5:20 PM
To: Gallo Joseph (Nokia-COM/WhitePlains)
Subject: Re: Question about Nokia N900 release

Thank you Joe for you prompt response. When announcement regarding the 850/1900/2100 MHz band device is made can i be notified via email? Would really appreciate it very much as my inbox is currently filled to the maximum with thousands upon thousands of AT&T network users grilling me for any information regarding 850/1900/2100 MHz band device.

Correction for my website link i posted , instead of nokiablog.com, its thenokiablog.com.

Thank you Joe.

Alvin

There are two things here that bother me. First, Alvin claimed to write for this site, but that is not true. Alvin also decided to add his own sentence and include it as a quote from Joe Gallo. I made the mistake of not confirming this previously with Joe directly and I apologize for that.

  • Kedoin

    I think the real question is when will NAM mean a phone that has WCDMA 850/1700/1900/2100. Only then will Nokia's unlocked phones be truly able to switch between the GSM carriers here in the US.

  • http://www.n97fanatics.com Mike Macias

    I interpret it the same way mark. Yesterday I had a similar tweet from Joe Gallo, a Nokia employee.

    I asked,

    “do you know if the N900 has a confirmed AT&T version, eventually?”

    and Joe said,

    “all we've announced is a version with 900/1700/2100MHz WCDMA bands.”

    Take that as you like. Some may say it's a grain of salt or just what they're supposed to say, but inside of me hope still exists.

    http://twitter.com/JGallo02/status/3610519777

  • Nick

    As a t-mobile subscriber I'm super excited for this device. I have the e71 and thus, no 3g on t-mobile.
    Besides that, AT&T users should live as 3rd class subscribers for a change:)

  • http://twitter.com/bdogg64 Brandon

    That's what I would like to see more than a device that works with AT&T or T-Mobile, one that works with either one. And lets throw in some roaming agreements for data too while we're at it. Its a pipe dream for sure. Nokia certainly could have put support for a couple more bands if they really wanted to get into the US market. But I guess thats what new devices are for huh? Why sell you a phone once when we can sell you one twice.

  • http://twitter.com/ming387 Ming Zhang

    Bad news guys, look like this one will need to be imported into the US… I found this link on the maemo.org site…

    http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/67971.html

    Read the last section…

    “Nokia has other things in the hopper for the U.S. market, namely growing its presence and building smartphones for CDMA networks,” IDC's Llamas explained. “It could be a while until we see the new devices here.”

  • joelbyork

    I made the switch to AT&T last year solely because I wanted 3g access on my high-end Nokia phone. I would be upset if Nokia failed to release a AT&T 3g-band compatible variation of this device and I don't think I would be alone. I hope an announcement is forthcoming.

    I agree with Kedoin regarding 3g band compatibility for AT&T and T-Mobile. This, I believe, is a necessary prerequisite for Nokia to truly break into the US market and actually be a player (although carrier subsidized hardware is just as important).

  • zenguppy34

    is it more expensive to build a radio chip with all 4 bands? or do they even exist?

  • Michael

    I'm thankful the world does not revolve around AT&T, for the sheer number of phones that were released to accommodate your preferred service provider I'm surprised that you feel neglected by 1 N series released with obvious intentions for T-Mobile why you would be so concerned about that, would be nice if you had stepped up to bat for neglected users of other networks than your own, as I said I'm thankful the world does not revolve around AT&T, couldn't be more happy

  • joelbyork

    I wholeheartedly believe in good competition between the carriers to drive down the overall price for the end user and, per my earlier comment, believe that 3g band compatibility for both GSM providers in the US is the preferable option. That said, as this is not likely to happen in the immediate future I reserve my right to feel slightly irked that having switched carriers to take advantage of 3g bands for high end Nokia phones, the latest and potentially groundbreaking model does not currently support 850/1900.

  • http://www.facebook.com/giodelgado Giovani Delgado

    My main reason for staying with ATT even though they have some questionable practices is the reliability of their Network, for example @ work some coworkers don't get T-Mobile signal, so for my needs T-Mobile sucks.

  • Pingback: AT&T compatible Nokia N900 on the way? - Specs, reviews and prices.

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  • LessThanDoug

    AT&T would probably ruin the phone anyway if they did offer it. We all know that.

  • jonathan

    I find it hard to believe that AT&T will carry the N900. Its obvious that the N900 is another Nseries that can kick the iPhone’s A** by a trillion to zero. Saying that, AT&T’s signature phone is the iPhone and I don’t think that AT&T is willing backstab the iPhone and give Apple some competition so they can know what a phone really is. Specially since they just released their “better” iPhone 3GS and I say that while gagging on my own vomit for saying that the iPhone has …..….. Uhm a “better” p h o n e….. right.

  • jonathan

    I find it hard to believe that AT&T will carry the N900. Its obvious that the N900 is another Nseries that can kick the iPhone’s A** by a trillion to zero. Saying that, AT&T’s signature phone is the iPhone and I don’t think that AT&T is willing backstab the iPhone and give Apple some competition so they can know what a phone really is. Specially since they just released their “better” iPhone 3GS and I say that while gagging on my own vomit for saying that the iPhone has …..….. Uhm a “better” p h o n e….. right.

  • Michael

    jonathan has an excellent point from business perspective I agree 100% and the truth is If AT&T users consider this a superior phone and want it they can use EDGE, better value as openline any network model than paying the outrageous so called subsidized cost

  • Name

    Nobody said anything about AT&T carrying a compatible version, only that one will very likely be produced. Just because it's not in a store doesn't mean it isn't available. If you think every carrier carries every phone out there, you haven't been on the internet much.

  • maemomobiletalk

    Wow that pretty lame of that guy to impersonate writing for you, that's so small of that person.

  • tateblaze

    I really wouldn't hold my breath on this one. At&T has been the default NAM partner for so long and that T-Mobile decision seems counter intuitive (alienating most of existing Nokia fans In North America) , and lastly the 2 (T-mobile and Nokia) make strange bedfellows. despite their solid embrace of GSM as the standard. Mathew Miller is probably smiling now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andy-Pho/1353660014 Andy Pho

    Although immature, I was hoping you found his email so we could all spam him. Yeah, real immature. Sorry, Mark. lol

  • Jer

    I switched from t-mobile a year ago to finally have 3G on my sony ericsson, I since switched to a 5800 which dissapoints on so many levels! I am keeping my fingers crossed that a NAM version of this phone is released supporting AT&T as even though my 5800 is barely 6 months old I will be in the line to buy a N900!! This phone looks awesome and after owning and loving a N800 I want the N900 released ASAP!

  • SaintMike

    I just hope they make something available soon and that they partner with one of the major carriers so I don't have to spend $700…I'm in the market to buy a new phone and I'll sign an agreement with one of the carriers but I'm not interested in waiting another 3 months…..there are too many other (and more affordable) choices out there

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  • D.O.C

    You know whats so funny? I bought the nokia N97 and left t-mobile (which I had for 6 years) to go AT&T so that I could enjoy there 3g technology, sooo that I can have the full nokia N97 experience…The sad part is that I had to return the phone because of constant malfunctions that occured…and believe I tried to make it work, I received new phone after new phone because of the glitches…but the kicker is that I already put in a preorder for the Nokia N900 and now I have to go back to T-mobile to get the 3g…lol…Its funny how things work out

  • Name

    I'd wait and see. The specifications listed on the Nokia USA site list it as having the necessary radio to support AT&T 3G.

  • VJ

    Below is what I see in the nokiausa website for the operation frequency.
    Operating Frequency
    Optimized for WCDMA 900/1700/2100
    Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900
    Optimized for 3G networks on WCDMA 900/1700/2100 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900

  • bucky09

    lol you are a goof if u think nokia or any other phones can give a better overall experience than the iphone. Im personally sick of the iphone but there is nothing out there right now that is better. Herer's hoping i can switch to nokia though.

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  • Goof Basher

    Goof is a really harsh word you squid! You calling people child molesters because they think the iPhone is gweeb unit? Say that to my face and I'd punch you out chief. The iPhone is weak show, and you know it, there are many phones that rock it, eg. OMNIA II, Satio, HTC Touch PRO 2, Xperia, etc, etc. etc.

  • Goof Basher

    CDMA IS DEAD chief. Canada's two CDMA networks switched to UMTS/HSPA+ (3GSM), same as other countries like Japan, Korea, Australia, other nations in Latin America. 3GPP2 is DEAD, CDMA is DEAD, even Qualcomm (owns CDMA) is pulling out of the 3GPP2 partnership, everyone is going with 3GPP (UMTS, other wise know as GSM Next Generation, 3GSM).

    Here is the story, CDMA, EVDO, WiMAX and anything under Qualcomm's CDMA partnership is pooched. GSM runs the show now captain.

  • Goof Basher

    Goof is a really harsh word you squid! You calling people child molesters because they think the iPhone is gweeb unit? Say that to my face and I'd punch you out chief. The iPhone is weak show, and you know it, there are many phones that rock it, eg. OMNIA II, Satio, HTC Touch PRO 2, Xperia, etc, etc. etc.

  • Goof Basher

    CDMA IS DEAD chief. Canada's two CDMA networks switched to UMTS/HSPA+ (3GSM), same as other countries like Japan, Korea, Australia, other nations in Latin America. 3GPP2 is DEAD, CDMA is DEAD, even Qualcomm (owns CDMA) is pulling out of the 3GPP2 partnership, everyone is going with 3GPP (UMTS, other wise know as GSM Next Generation, 3GSM).

    Here is the story, CDMA, EVDO, WiMAX and anything under Qualcomm's CDMA partnership is pooched. GSM runs the show now captain.

  • hex

    When is the N900 AT&T version coming out ? :(

  • mitul

    i only wonder whether this N900 will ever be launched in India,,,,,,,,,,,,does anyone knows the date plz send me EMAIL

  • Kham

    All AT&T users please check out my brainstorm it will push for an N900 AT&T 3G solution.https://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/850-1900_mhz_frequency_support/

    Thanks,
    Kham

  • Kham

    All AT&T users please check out my brainstorm it will push for an N900 AT&T 3G solution.https://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/view/850-1900_mhz_frequency_support/

    Thanks,
    Kham

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