HTC Hero hits FCC with US 3G

No mention was made of a Hero with 3G that'd work on Rogers or AT&T back at its announcement a few days ago, but HTC has been getting awfully good at making phones that work properly around these parts -- so we can't say we're entirely surprised to see a Hero approved for WCDMA on Bands II and V gracing the FCC today. For the record, Bands II and V are 1900 and 850MHz, respectively, which is exactly the combo AT&T subscribers would need to flip the switch on high-speed data. We're not sure if this negates rumors that the Hero would be coming to Sprint, but if we can just get this version released and in our hands, you know... maybe our minds would be operating with a little more clarity.

[SParklingCYaNide Posted Jul 2nd 2009 11:20AM]

So does this mean its also coming to ATT?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2009 11:25AM]

My guess would be that Apple has a contract that states that a phone deemed "better" than the iphone would not be allowed on AT&T so my guess would be no. lol

[SParklingCYaNide Posted Jul 2nd 2009 11:34AM]

I'd tend to agree with you, they seem very Strict with their contract agreement together. So it really wouldn't surprise me at all.

[JustinVincible Posted Jul 2nd 2009 11:54AM]

Good point troy, but I wonder, they don't mind having all those WinMo phones on AT&T, why not Google? Especially since Apple has been having such a good working relationship with them.

What probably will happen tho is HTC will sell them unlocked in Best Buy, Radioshack and other outlets.

[Ravnos Posted Jul 2nd 2009 6:18PM]

@fireblazer: I hope so. I prefer to buy my phones without a contract, so the option of getting one of these without it being locked to a specific carrier or crippled by them in some way is very appealing.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2009 11:37AM]

I don't really understand these exclusivity contracts, but I would think that AT&T would want other phones on their network to increase sales and that Apple would want multiple carriers to boost sales. I also wonder if with the 3GS whether the contract is maybe a bit more open for AT&T to have more iphone competition offered. But I really don't understand these contracts... I'm sure someone is making billions off them somewhere.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2009 12:00PM]

I'm all over this when it hits the market.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 5:52AM]

Why does t-mobile get over looked with the absolutely amazing phones when it comes to 3g. please more 1700/2100 im begging you

[SParklingCYaNide Posted Jul 2nd 2009 12:43PM]

I Completely Agree and while More Phones and Unlocked phones are incorporating those AWS bands in their phones, its taking WAY too Long. Lets get them OUT folks.

[amw1972 Posted Jul 2nd 2009 12:59PM]

What's new about Sprint missing the bus....weren't Sprint part of that Android Open Source group....how long ago did G1 come out...where are you now Sprint!!! Pre...what Pre...Touch Pro 2...where is that?? How about some Android love...OR even some sexier HTC offerings!!!!

Yes, I'm a disgruntled Sprint subscriber

[Andros69 Posted Jul 2nd 2009 1:08PM]

So, does this mean that it is not coming to t-mobile US for sure?
Would an unlocked version bought in Europe or elsewhere work on t-mobile US?

I don't want to keep my hopes up if it's not going to work for me...

[loydbrahn Posted Jul 2nd 2009 2:27PM]

It will work on T-Mobile, but EDGE only, no 3G. There still might be a T-Mobile 3G version at some point in the future, but probably not anytime soon since they're all about the "MyTouch" right now. Plus, it will probably be a "with Google" phone, and therefore won't have the Sense UI (w/out hacking).

[Andros69 Posted Jul 2nd 2009 2:46PM]

Oh man, that totally sucks. If this phone won't work with 3G on T-mobile then I'll have to move on and look for something different. No 3G is a deal breaker.

thanks!

[Ravnos Posted Jul 2nd 2009 6:22PM]

It looks like the Samsung Galaxy is coming to T-Mobile and it's a much better phone. Unless you absolutely MUST have the Sense UI, you're better off getting a Galaxy when it comes out in the States.

Honestly, I wish it was coming over on AT&T/Rogers frequencies, so I guess I'll have to settle for this one instead.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2009 1:14PM]

I dont see any indication its coming to any carrier by the FCC. Id guess itll be sold as an unlocked US model like the HTC Diamond was.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2009 3:46PM]

Unfortunately if you buy the HTC Hero unlocked from Europe....it won't work on T-Mobile's or any Carrier's 3G Network for that matter. for one the only 2 carriers it can possibly be unlocked on is AT&T and T-Mobile since they're GSM carriers.

The unlocked version will work on EDGE not the 3G Networks since Europe uses different spectrums as well as bands on their 3G Network as U.S.A/North America uses their own as well.

Although the Hero is hideous with that chin. lol
Hopefully it'll release sometime this year or early next....and as someone said ... if released on T-Mobile it'll probably be released "with Google" as opposed to HTC Sense UI since T-Mo has a contract with Android & HTC to release their phones with the Google software.

[JeremyT Posted Jul 2nd 2009 4:11PM]

Sweet, sweet, and sweet.

My guess is that this sucker is going to Rogers (AT&T's roadmap shows the ultralame Lancaster instead), but it's still good to know that it's going to at least exist with the right frequencies.

[bigkippa Posted Jul 2nd 2009 8:52PM]

This phone is coming to Sprint sometime around November, I have confirmed this with an HTC representative that interviewed me for feedback on the recent release of The HTC Snap. It was roughly a 30 minute phone interview which at the end the Hero was discussed and he asked me if people had been calling or asking the store about it. The release was not given an exact date but I was told sometime around november. Sprint users can rejoice.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 9:23AM]

Do you know when the Touch Pro2 will be available for sprint then??

[jayweezy Posted Jul 8th 2009 3:26AM]

Guys the version goin to uk has andriod it just has a skin of sense read and know the details before you post. Speculation gets peeps no where. Now I want a reAl answer chris if possible the 3 g version for pre order On amazon uk will that work here in the good ole us of a. Thanks

how do you know a company has right and exculisitivity (spelling) did you sign the docs.

[InnocentEd Posted Jul 17th 2009 1:46PM]

Me Wants....please!!!

[mikeaguilar95m Posted Jul 19th 2009 12:50AM]

@fyreblazer the only problem with what you said is that the entire phone even the sense ui was made by htc not google at least thats what htc innovation officer said Horace Luke @ MWC but i would DIE if this phone comes out for at&t because i use it and i love the 3g connection were im established and ive been following this phone for quite a while