You have to be kidding me. I read this at least three times to make sure my eyes were not deceiving me. It seems, through a memo T-Mobile handed to Engadget, that they will not be allowing any data on the UMTS network that launches tomorrow in New York. As a T-Mobile customer, I am crushed. Just as I am sure all you are. Here is the memo T-Mobile gave on the subject.

“3G is the next generation of our wireless network, following our current GSM network. In this early phase of our network evolution, 3G is a new technology for carrying wireless voice calls and supporting existing data capabilities on our network. In future phases, this next generation network will power ‘high-speed’ (3G) products and services that connect customers in new and exciting ways. … Inform customers who are interested in high-speed data that the first phase of our 3G roll out supports voice only.“

This is a first for any of the national carriers. Every single national carrier to launch a 3G network, launched with data. There is no reason to launch voice only. No ‘we want to test it’ excuse, no ‘it happens all the time’ excuse, nothing. They had plenty of time to test their network since they bought the spectrum.

Well that is just awesome. There may be some light at the end of the tunnel though. They do say ‘first phase’. This implies that there will be a second phase, also implying that said second phase would support 3G for data and voice. With how long it has taken to get this first phase going though, who knows when that could be? For T-Mobile faithful, the wait unfortunately continues on.

[Via Engadget Mobile]