06-27-2007, 07:52 PM
That is the rub. It's called HSDPA, and AT&T already has a network set up. Most newer smartphones like the Treo and Blackberry use it today in large cities. It's about 3.6 to 6Mbps. EDGE is old technology and is about as fast as 2x dial-up, maybe faster in some spots, certainly slower in some. That is why many are scratching there head as to why the iPhone has EDGE, not HSDPA. The answer is probably battery life, but if Apple had put a user exchangable battery in the iPhone that wouldn't be an issue. I know Apple likes to keep things simple, but we aren't dummies. We can change a battery.
And, no the iPhone apparently is only available bundled w/ data + voice, although current AT&T users seem to be able to add data to their existing non-iPhone plan for $20, so maybe if you ask for just voice they'll give it to you. I'm not sure what fun an iPhone would be with NO data though. I mean EDGE is slow, but it's something, and something is better than nothing.
And, no the iPhone apparently is only available bundled w/ data + voice, although current AT&T users seem to be able to add data to their existing non-iPhone plan for $20, so maybe if you ask for just voice they'll give it to you. I'm not sure what fun an iPhone would be with NO data though. I mean EDGE is slow, but it's something, and something is better than nothing.