T-Mobile USA expands HSPA+ to 65 markets, unveils new Android device

T-Mobile USA Inc. (DTEGY) continues the expansion of its HSPA+ network saying it now offers the service in 16 new markets on its way to covering 100 major markets and 200 million potential customers covered by the end of the year.
The new markets include Biloxi and Gulfport, Miss.; Denver; Huntsville, Ala.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Salt Lake City; San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento, Calif.; and West Palm Beach, Fla.
The carrier’s HSPA+ network currently supports peak download speeds up to 14.4 megabits per second, with the carrier having announced plans to further those speeds up to 21 Mbps once sufficient backhaul capabilities are in place.
T-Mobile USA is also reportedly in talks with Cleawire Corp. (CLWR) about a possible deal that could result in Clearwire leasing accessing on its network to T-Mobile USA or a possible sale of spectrum. T-Mobile USA currently lacks the necessary spectrum to launch a next-generation network, though it continues to compare its current HSPA+ capabilities to those of so-called “4G” networks.
In addition to the network expansion, T-Mobile USA unveiled the latest addition to its growing portfolio of devices powered by Google Inc.’s (GOOG) Android operating system. The latest myTouch model will include support for the carrier’s HSPA+ network as well as enhancements to previous myTouch models.
The new device, which is built by HTC Corp. and run Google’s Android 2.2 OS, will include the ability to capture high-definition video as well as video calling capabilities that can run over either a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. In addition the device will include a 3.8-inch WVGA touch-screen display with a virtual keyboard; Qualcomm Inc.’s (QCOM) Snapdragon 1 GHz processor; a 5-megapixel camera; and a preinstalled 8 GB microSD memory card.
The device is scheduled to be available “in time for the holidays” with pricing to be revealed at a later date.