Theory: RHOD400 and RHOD500 model difference.

[Mutiny32]

If this has already been established, sorry in advance.

Since Telus and Verizon both have the RHOD500 and Sprint/USCC have the RHOD400, I had an epiphany that would explain some of the differences in the phone. The only difference actually. The radio firmware. Let me explain.

We all know that you have to SIM unlock the VZW and Telus TP2s while the SPCS version comes SIM unlocked. But when you unlock the VZW/Telus phones, you can roam to domestic GSM networks and on the Sprint phone you can't even see them if you switch to GSM.

If you didn't know this already, both Telus and VZW have announced that they are going the LTE route, not WiMAX like Sprint for 4G. LTE is actually an umbrella name for HSPA related technologies. Since Telus already has some HSPA parts of their network live, it would be logical for VZW to be implementing it as well and slowly going live.

This would explain why both phones can roam domestically while the Sprint phone cannot. It is a segway for subscribers to seamlessly roam as the changeover is made. Why not SPCS? because they haven't said a word about LTE and as such the radio was changed to block domestic APNs.

I'm very curious about the rumors about Deutsce Telekom and Sprint awhile back. T-mobile has ambitions for a HSPA+ rollout, but they are having a hard time with their current 3G coverage, as they have had to build-out their network, towers and all to free themselves from roaming agreements with other networks. If both TMo and Sprint had an agreement to share infrastructures for LTE and WiMax, then Tmo could roll out a nation-wide 3/4G network at a cheaper price than continuing to add redundant towers to compete. Another interesting thing is Deutsche Telekom buying stake in Clearwire a few weeks back. Sprint is the majority shareholder in Clearwire. Hmmmmmmmm...could that acually be compensation to allow for Tmo to silently build out a shadow HSPA+/LTE network under the guise of Sprint building out Their WiMax network?

Gotta go, black suburbans just rolled up with the letters DT on them.