T-Mobile USA's New Broadband Network Will Cover 180 Million, Offer Speeds of 21 Mbps or 22 Mbps

T-Mobile USA says it expects to have 100 metropolitan areas in the United States covered by its upgraded high-speed wireless network, which should operate up to about 21 Mbps or 22 Mbps in the downstream direction, by the end of 2010.

The new HSPA-Plus network is a "3G" technology that operates at speeds very comparable to 4G alternatives, and might very well give T-Mobile the fastest national network, for at least a while, by the end of the year.

HSPA Plus will cover roughly 180 million Americans by the end of the year, T-Mobile USA says. The technology is already live in some regions, including the New York metropolitan area, the Washington DC suburbs, and will be coming soon to Los Angeles.

Oddly, many observers continue to insist there is "no competition" in the U.S. broadband market. Aside from cable operators and telcos, there now are going to be four mobile broadband networks in national operation by the end of the year, offering speeds equivalent to, or faster, than is available in many markets from terrestrial providers.