Q: Why only launch in one city?

A: The GSM 1900 spectrum environment in NYC is constrained over time, and we've been hugely successful in the NY marketplace. So to maintain the growth trajectory that we've been on, it was critical for us to secure new spectrum. But we're commencing our rollout on a nationwide basis.

Q: Is the network UMTS or HSDPA?

A: Right now it's HSDPA 1.8. But HSDPA 3.6 is just a software upgrade, and T-Mobile Europe is already running networks on HSDPA 7.2. What we're seeing with test devices is a very good average experience in the 600 kilobit range, with bursts into a megabit or slightly north of that.

Q: Where are the smart phones, data cards, etc?

A: We're moving and working very hard with the Open Handset Alliance, and that's our focus. You will see at least one Android based converged device from T-Mobile this year. More converged devices are weeks, rather than months, away. PC Cards won't be our core focus, but early in the new year we may have a data-card-like product.

Q: So does this mean you're finally lifting the ban on Opera Mini?

A: Through Android and OHA, we really hope to open up the third-party apps space. I don't think that will just sit at the top end, but is it going to be in the lower-end devices? Probably not. (In other words, still no Opera Mini for you Nokia Series 40 users, nyah nyah nyah!)

Q: So there are no new data services. What should subscribers expect in terms of voice?

A: The quality is better on the HSDPA network, no doubt, so customers will see an enhanced voice experience. How differentiable this will be, is based on the customer and how sensitive their ears are. Also, in terms of the effectiveness of carrying voice calls, UMTS is a two-for-one lift over GSM.

Q: Are you changing your pricing at all?

A: We've changed nothing to date. We'll keep you posted, but we've been an extremenly strong provider of great service and value in the marketplace.

Q: Are you the only 1700 Mhz UMTS carrier in the world?

A: For now. But other countries in the Americas are auctioning off the same spectrum, and a lot of them have UMTS carriers, so there may be more in the future. Also, remember that AT&T has 1700 Mhz spectrum, though they haven't done anything with it yet.

Q: Doesn't that mean it'll be hard to get phones for this unique network?

A: Remember that while T-Mobile USA may have 28 million subscribers, T-Mobile global is much larger than that. So we can leverage our international scale to drive 1.7/2.1-band adoption with all of our handset vendors. It's just money; when you come through with the volume commitments, you can drive greater band adoption. We're a big business, and we have big volumes. Also, band complexity is becoming far less of an issue than it used to be with chipset vendors.