Digital Trends

T-Mobile has launched 3G wireless services in Las Vegas...and promises 3G in at least 20 more markets by the end of 2008.

U.S. wireless operator T-Mobile has announced that it has activated 3G wireless service in Las Vegas, Nevada, and plans to roll out 3G service to at least 20 more markets by the end of 2008. 3G mobile services are increasingly important to data-intensive applications and Internet services used by both business-oriented smartphones and media-savvy mobile phones, as well as location-based services like mapping, guides, and social networking tools.

The announcement follows up on T-Mobile activating 3G service in New York City back in May. At the time, T-Mobile promised 3G service in 20 to 25 additional markets by the end of 2008.

T-Mobile says it's invested over $37 million in infrastructure and spectrum licenses to roll out 3G in Vegas, and the company already offers several devices that can operates on the company's UMTS network, and those phones will automatically switch to 3G networking from GSM/GPRS/EDGE when a 3G network is available. T-Mobile also plans to launch its first HSDPA device soon, along with new all-in-one devices that leverage 3G data capabilities.

T-Mobile says it also plans to continue building out its HotSpot Wi-Fi network along with its existing voice and data network to improve its coverage and expand its market reach.