Why one should get the X1a over the X1i in the US

[Reggie3]

AT&T’s 3G network upgrades cause 2G customers to suffer » Unwired View

Since the X1i does not have 850 3G - here is the story:

2G customers to suffer

A report from Open for Business reveals how AT&T is screwing most of their customers for better 3G network performance. And yet AT&T’s 3G network still can’t satisfy many.

2G signal strength on AT&T’s network has supposedly weakened, following the rollout of AT&T’s 3G network with the introduction of the iPhone 3G last year. This is said to be due to AT&T’s decision to switch from using the 850 MHz band to the weaker 1900 MHz band in some areas.

The most obvious effect of this is that customers are finding themselves holding phones with no signal in places where there was previously good network coverage. This issue has been confirmed by AT&T’s technical support personnel, even going so far as to recommend that users get new 3G-enabled phones or perform methods to unlock the original iPhone to work with other carriers in the U.S.

For now, fixing this issue remains up to AT&T and the way it manages its wireless networks. Unless subscribers can find a way to turn the situation around in favor of themselves, of course. Before AT&T performs another network upgrade towards LTE and screw up everyone’s signal all over again.

[OldDrunkenSailor]

In an urban area it shouldn't be a big issue, but i'll hold onto my X1i for a few months at least, i'm sure.