I don't have any numbers to back this up, but my gut tells me that 3G
has more penetration in the US than this, but not in the smartphone market.

In the US the featurephone rules, and I wouldn't expect any different in
terms of 3G sales and availability. Right now AT&T has about 8
different models (some with color/configuration variations) that are 3G
capable. I'm guessing that's a mix of UMTS and HSDPA but I haven't
checked too closely.

In-store they seem to be pushing the RAZR (4 colors with 3G), Sync (4
colors with 3G), and other featurephones such as the Samsung A717, A727,
and the LG Trax. Also in the lineup are a few smartphones: the N75, HTC
8528, and Samsung Blackjack. All of these devices support 3G data.

The bottom of the line is still dominated by EDGE devices, but there are
several 3G options at the free to $100 price range on contract. All of
the in-store RAZRs are now 3G, and I have a feeling that they're still
selling quite briskly.

I'm personally holding out for the US N95 and my wife just picked up an
N75 at the store with a contract renewal, but from what I've observed
most US customers are concerned with which color RAZR they want or what
their favorite phone in the free to $100 range on contract is.

I haven't spent a significant amount of time in Verizon or Sprint stores
lately, but I believe that you would find a similar selection of
EVDO-capable devices in those stores. Their branding gets in the way a
bit, but for Sprint I believe that you are looking for "PowerVision" and
for Verizon you're looking for "BroadbandAccess." Again, I'm guessing
that you'll see a handful of featurephones and a few smartphones.

As Gautam mentioned, T-Mobile are still rolling out their 3G network but
the top 3 carriers all have 3G networks in many (most?) areas and at
least in AT&T's case a solid selection of devices that take advantage of
them.

--Matt


Gautam Advani wrote:
> GigaOm reports that N95 will be introduced by ATT later this year and it
> will use ATT's 3G network. I have N80 which is 3G capable but not in the US
> market. So it still uses EDGE - not the most optimal experience. So in the
> US, although 3G networks have been building for a while (except for
> Tmobile), device uptake by the operators has been very slow. And in the
> US, you are dependent on the device that the operators have on deck. Only
> GSM carriers like ATT and Tmobile let you buy a device independently and use
> on their network - by just purchasing the SIM card. But most 3G devices in
> the world market (like N80) cannot be used on a 3G network in the US market
> - diff. frequencies.
>
> So limited # of devices are available but I think mass market 3G is a while
> away as far as US market is concerned.
>
> Gautam
>
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