which carrier will be the first to have a good working 3g network? In the US?

Verizon and Sprint both have large networks. Define "good working"?

IMO, UMTS/HSDPA has the edge, as the technology enables simultaneous voice and data, unlike current EVDO networks (i.e. non REV A). Even if the data was slower I'd still prefer it, as I'd love the ability to do voice and data at the same time.

well, then who will be the first to implement that technology here in the US?

"3G" is already here (in the US). Verizon, Sprint and Cingular have 3G networks in place. Sprint/Verizon have EVDO, and Cingular has their UMTS network....

In Canada, EVDO is available. And the only national GSM carrier, Rogers, has plans to unveil its UMTS/HSDPA network sometime soon....

From what I understand...3G IS NOT here...they are using 2.5G

The technologies that Verizon, Sprint and Cingular are using are listed at 3G.
3G - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

it's not true...3g enable both voice and data simultaneously..That is not currently capable on verizon

Really? So if GPRS is listed at 2.5G, and EDGE/1xRTT is listed at 2.75G, where exactly would you classify Sprint/Verizon's 1xEV and Cingular's UMTS? 2.95G?

3G - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Where did you see that a requirement of 3G was that it has to do voice and data simultaneously? I didn't see that on the ITA's webpage about 3G.

All about the Technology

[Edit to add ITA link]

Yeah man! HSDPA and soon HSUPA is incredible go with a WORLD standard.
However the network supports voice & data, doesnt mean ALL handsets that support the technology will support simultaneous voice & data. The handset must ALSO support it.

BTW, jungleland; your definition of 3G meaning simultaneous voice & data is flawed. EDGE allows for 236kbps peak data stream YET in class 11 - yes there is a class 11 used ONLY by Nokia on the N80/E61/E70 allows for BOTH voice & data concurrently! Check the specs and ask those that own & use them daily. EDGE is a 2.75 Technology and thus because it allows both voice & data is NOT a 3G technology.

Verizon's/Sprint's/NexTel/Bell/Telus ALL have 1X-EVDO and thus is a 3G technology.

Cingular has been lagging like a child with too much money in a candy store.

Perhaps your questions would be best directed at Verizon..I spoke with several network technicians there and they all told me that, while the say 3g, it's not true 3G yet...Same deal with Cingular...

Here's a better question - why do you care? Do you really need the functionality to perform a data and voice session at the same time?

Cingular currently offers Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) in certain markets. However the use of 3G is also limited by what type of equipment you have. most markets currently carry the LG CU500 as their only 3G handset, but more will be coming out soon.

Arizona: Phoenix Tucson
Arkansas: Little Rock
California: Fresno San Diego San Francisco / San Jose Stockton
District of Columbia: Washington
Georgia: Atlanta
Florida: Orlando
Illinois:Chicago Chicago/Gary
Indiana: Indianapolis
Maryland: Baltimore
Massachusetts: Boston
Michigan Detroit
Nevada: Las Vegas
New York NYC
North CarolinaCharlotte Raleigh
Ohio: Columbus
Oregon: Portland
Pennsylvania: Eastern PA
Tennessee: Knoxville
Texas: Austin Dallas Houston San Antonio
Utah: Salt Lake City
Washington: Seattle / Tacoma

Sorry, I figured if you knew enough to say "not true" about my reply that you'd at least be able to tell me why it wasn't true. ;)

Seriously, I can't find anything that says "To be 3G, it must have simulatenous voice and data". Not even on the ITU website, and they're the folks that come up with these terms.