RIM already made a GSM/UMTS device - the 8707. It's only sold in european markets because of the fequency bands it supports.

I really want to go with the 8800 the day it comes out - the only thing holding me back is the lack of UMTS/HSDPA. I've even started thinking about going with the *gasp* Treo 750 when it comes out and I've considered the Blackjack just for this reason. I love my Blackberry and want to stay in the Blackberry family, but the technology is becoming more and more available. I'm hoping RIM puts out a unit that takes advantage of it - and soon!

I'm confused. Voda UK already sells the 8707v which supports UMTS. So is 3G licensing a local issue? And if not, it seems strange that the 8800 will not support 3G since RIM have already been there, done that and got the red T-shirt.

Good morning, first time user and I have to admit I don't have a blackberry. I use a Treo, but I am wailing and gnashing of the teeth, to get my hands on the 8800 for Cingular. Will it be 3g or rather 3.5g? I hear the Asian market is moving ahead to 3.75g early 2007. The WiFi is great, but I want to take advantage of Cingular’s Broadband connect speed. Since I am a newbie, forgive me for asking what may already have been answered, but I am excited about the possibilities with buying and working with the 8800.

From what is known/assumed about this device, it will support EDGE and WiFi. It will not support either UMTS or HSDPA

Thanks fun, but this would be a deal breaker for me. It would be like buying a gas guzzling SUV when everyone else is making hybrids. It makes no sense to me and it is very disappointing. Now I here Asia and Europe is starting on their 3.75g(HSUPA) once again leaving America in the dust. What is wrong with us? We were once the cream of the crop now we are falling into slop.

because more money can be made that way as we as consumers like upgrades and we like to spend money on new devices in steps. WE do it, so they are happy to sell to us in that fashion.

i am a typical American consumer and work in the wireless world and a gadget fiend. I like the newest stuff as thats the coolest to me and millions of other tech junkies

you can always spot a non tech junkie as they are rocking the bb 7290

i have gone from bb 7290 to 7100 to smt 5600 to bb 8700 to treo 750 for a month to bb pearl all in just my last two years.

the market likes american consumers as they like to buy in upgrades and not in stages. weird wacky world we live in

When I tried connecting a 3rd party phone that supports UMTS using blackberry connect, it would not work. Emails would only get sent through when on EDGE. When the phone said UMTS, no blackberry features worked.

This was on cingular in an area of texas that obviously has UMTS. I guess RIM doesn't support UMTS at all yet in at least texas.

They have a name for that type of consumer, it's called sucker(LOL) just playing. I love gadgets, and I am always chasing the next greatest thing, but I refuse to buy a crippled device or one that is (DOA). I am not asking for the holy grail of smartphones, but it would be unwise to shell out that much money on a device that you know will be obsolete in less than 6 months. Look at how people feel about the Treo series, and I am one of the suckers who bit the bullet, Never again, I say never again.