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AT&T 3G version of Nexus One coming

FCC documents indicate a new version of Google's Nexus One that supports wireless bands for AT&T's 3G network will soon hit the market.

Marguerite Reardon Former senior reporter
Marguerite Reardon started as a CNET News reporter in 2004, covering cellphone services, broadband, citywide Wi-Fi, the Net neutrality debate and the consolidation of the phone companies.
Marguerite Reardon
2 min read

A new version of Google's Nexus One smartphone will apparently arrive soon for use on AT&T's 3G wireless network.

Customers are already able to buy an unlocked version of the Nexus One for $529. But the Android-based phone, which was launched last month, supports GSM radio frequency bands. The only 3G wireless bands that it supports are on T-Mobile USA's network.

CNET/James Martin

This means that customers wishing to use the "unlocked" phone on AT&T's network can access only AT&T's 2.5G or EDGE network. And even though AT&T has been criticized for network quality, the company has a much larger 3G footprint than T-Mobile.

But soon customers wanting the Google Nexus One will have an option. According to documents filed at the Federal Communications Commission, a new version of the Nexus One will operate in the 3G wireless bands for WCDMA Bands I, II, and V, which are used by AT&T and Canadian wireless providers Rogers, Bell Canada, and Telus Mobility. The device will likely work throughout most of Europe, too.

This means that a version of the phone will likely be available for these networks soon. Google has already said that it will make a version of the phone that can be used on Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel's networks. That version is expected this spring.

The documents filed with the FCC show the new label that will be on the latest Nexus One phone. When compared with the label on the original Nexus One, the FCC IDs are identical except for one number. The new device has the FCC ID NM899110. The old Nexus One has FCC ID NM899100. The fact that the new label is only off by one number is a good indication that the new phone is a variation of the previous device.

Federal Communications Commission