T-Mobile currently uses the following network technologies:

GSM
The T-Mobile network uses GSM technology. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. GSM is the international digital radio standard created by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. GSM allows users to roam freely among markets. It has become the globally accepted standard since the first systems began commercial operation in 1991. In the United States, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has accepted GSM-based mobile phone 1900 as a standard for the mobile phone frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at 1900 MHz.

GPRS
GPRS is a wireless communications standard that adds functionality to GSM. GPRS enables T-Mobile customers to access Internet sites, download content, and share information across the wireless network.

Customers may use GPRS to access WAP-enabled Internet sites on a WAP-capable handset or via the Internet on a PDA or data card. GPRS allows browsing at speeds of up to 56K.  GSM services can be set as a priority on handsets so that a GPRS session is automatically interrupted by an incoming call. GPRS and GSM cannot work simultaneously. GPRS can be set to allow the session to be interrupted by a voice call so that a call is never missed.

EDGE
T-Mobile has enhanced its GPRS data network with EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), improving the overall user experience when accessing data and rich content. EDGE delivers throughput speeds on the network for end users with EDGE-enabled devices at up to 4 times the current GPRS rate. T-Mobile’s plan is to deploy EDGE to service more than 90% of the current T-Mobile data traffic, which would represent over 75% of T-Mobile’s network footprint.

T-Mobile's EDGE enhanced data network provides fast and easy access to Internet information on the go. There is no added cost for EDGE service. Customers seamlessly drop back to GPRS when not in EDGE coverage areas or when EDGE coverage is not available.

T-Mobile HotSpot^® Wireless Internet
T-Mobile HotSpot^® gives you online communication and Internet access at blazing-fast speeds. Use any Wi-Fi-enabled device to such as a T-Mobile Wi-Fi equipped handset, laptop computer, handheld PDA, or even a wireless digital camera.

Testing tip!  T-Mobile devices with Wi-Fi connectivity can decrease your testing time significantly thanks to the broadband speeds available. Even when connected to Wi-Fi, our handsets still access our gateways in the same way as on GPRS, so you can test your applications on the T-Mobile network faster than ever before!