I took a look at the AWS spectrum auction that just took place in last couple of months in the USA. The frequencies auctioned off were in the range of 1.7GHz for uplink and 2.1Ghz for downlink. Now, what’s interesting is that Cingular has managed to roll out its very own 3G deployment (in the form of HSDPA for packet data only) in the 850MHz/1900MHz band using its already existing spectrum. Now that cingular has acquired spectrum in the 2.1GHz range why can it not deploy 3G using the 1900/2100 MHz combination like Europe. I mean they would ONLY have to re-plan their entire 2G network to 850MHz and spend like a billion or so dollars :D. But in all fairness, it is a possibility that cingular should consider.

Nokia has signed a contract with T-Mobile to deploy 3rd Generation wireless equipment for the carrier. Nokia will be using the Nokia Flexi WCDMA base station optimized for T-Mobile’s newly acquired AWS spectrum. For those who don’t know, T-Mobile has bid nearly $4.2 billion for this 3G spectrum. The base stations are highly modular, adaptable and can be used for 3G deployment in multiple spectrum bands. The base stations will be HSPA capable.

T-Mobile expects to roll out this service by mid-2007. With Sprint looking towards WiMax and Verizon all set to deploy EV-DO Rev A, T-Mobile should also be concentrating on deploying HSPA.

Read the full press release here.