Database Info

Tmobile UK - Touch Pro poor phone use

My new HTC Touch Pro appears to have far worse phone reception compared to my HTC TyTN II for the Tmobile UK network.
Touch Pro Radio: 1.02.25.19
TyTN II Radio: 1.27.12.11
I've set my phone band to GSM to save battery.
Ot has been tweaked in no other way yet.
a) At home, I nearly always got a usable signal on the TyTN II with some drop outs. With the Touch Pro - its the other way round - mostly searching with occasional usable signal.
b) Travvelling from Leeds to Harrogate. The TyTN II would mostly hold a good signal with only a few drop outs. The Touch Pro was "Searching" most of the way.
c) Central Leeds, both phones have good signal.
d) Sat at my desk in Harrogate. The TyTN II has a usable signal where the Touch Pro only occassionally has a usable signal.
I love the device, but am very dissappointed with the phone signal performance. So much so, I am considering returning the device. I hope there's an new Radio ROM very soon.
I would be interested to hear other TMobileUK users experiences.
Thanks
Mike

Soory, this has already been discussed in several topics:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=417335
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=417163
Does seem to be a common TmobileUK problem!

There do seem to be a lot of comments about poor signal strength.
Personally my signal is the same as ever, but I think I may pinch my wife's T-Mobile SIM sometime over the weekend, just out of curiosity... Her MDA Touch has terrible signal in our house, so I'll have to see if the Raphael is any better or worse.

I am also tempted to buy the touch pro, and am with t-mobile due to their unrivalled web'n'walk data packages. I don't want to wait till t-mobile get their act together with the vario IV (they might include a updated version of the radio which works better with their network).
Is there anyone who is getting good coverage on t-mobile with this phone and if so where are you located in th u.k?

I'm in the Middlesex area, not very far at all from Heathrow airport.
Signal strength at home for me is pretty good, it varies between 2 and 5 bars depending on where I am in the house but I nearly always have a H at the top rather than a G! (anyone else other than me think that the Touch Pro's G icon is ugly? lol)
When I'm out and about away from home I've noticed much weaker signals though, never lost the network completely yet mind you. Thankfully I'm on a "Solo" sim only contract with T-mobile and my 30 day contract is already passed so I can now change it. Other people's comments about the network on here have scared me, so I've already got a porting authorisation code from them (I even told the T-Mobile customer service person I spoke to about everyone's comments on this forum, he seemed quite surprised to say the least) and I will be moving to Vodafone in a couple of days!
Vodafone Sim only deals are very similar to T-Mobile's prices (even better at the £20 level thanks to a limited time offer from Vodafone that's currently running) and although mobile internet use with Vodafone is more expensive than T-Mobile on a daily basis, they both do the £7.50/month for unlimited internet so I'll definitely be adding that!

Also has anyone tried these signal boosting sticky pads to improve reception? (I don't have any experience with these so don't know whether these things have any merit or are just a con)

tbh I wouldnt worry about it at the moment, the stock shipped radio version in my Hermes (1.06.00.10, or something like) was crap for me but remember people we get radio updates quite often even now for older devices so lets see , when the vario IV ROM emerges, how good the updated radios are?
Its all part of the game.
Perhaps once the issues for flashing diamond radios have been sorted then we could see if a daimond radio might remedy the issues?
Just out of interest has anyone here got a Touch Pro and is using it on Orange UK?? Since they both operate on GSM1800 and UMTS2100 any problems with the device should really occur for them also?
O2-UK and Vodafone UK (GSM900) stats would also be helpfull?

mrvanx said:
tbh I wouldnt worry about it at the moment, the stock shipped radio version in my Hermes (1.06.00.10, or something like) was crap for me but remember people we get radio updates quite often even now for older devices so lets see , when the vario IV ROM emerges, how good the updated radios are?
Its all part of the game.
Perhaps once the issues for flashing diamond radios have been sorted then we could see if a daimond radio might remedy the issues?
Just out of interest has anyone here got a Touch Pro and is using it on Orange UK?? Since they both operate on GSM1800 and UMTS2100 any problems with the device should really occur for them also?
O2-UK and Vodafone UK (GSM900) stats would also be helpfull?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure I understand the "game" appeal of a £500 purchase on which people seem to be experiencing poor reception on.

IBORGUK said:
I am not sure I understand the "game" appeal of a £500 purchase on which people seem to be experiencing poor reception on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No different to any other area of technology, the fact is that if you live on the cutting edge and get the newest of the new and the best of the best, there will be issues, and rough edges to iron out. At least with HTC phones 95% of the problems will be resolved in a few months with ROM/radio updates and the wonders pulled off by the chefs here.
For those wanting a safe stable and mature platform from day one with yesterday's-but-still-ok tech, there's the Kaiser or Hermes. Or just wait a few months before getting a Touch Pro.

Best of the best for a phone which has poorer reception on my network than the previous iteration (TYTN II) ? I don't think the logic in that statement stands up somehow.

i've got same issue with t-mobile sim and pro. same spot kaiser has full 3g reception pro none

So mine's gone back due to lousy reception on T-Mobile UK in my house (my Hermes and my other half's Kaiser have no such problem).
Gutted, 'cos compared to my current Vario II it was a Rolls Royce.
So what do I do now? Risk trying another or wait till a version with new radio is out?

finisterre said:
So mine's gone back due to lousy reception on T-Mobile UK in my house (my Hermes and my other half's Kaiser have no such problem).
Gutted, 'cos compared to my current Vario II it was a Rolls Royce.
So what do I do now? Risk trying another or wait till a version with new radio is out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say go again when TMobile release theirs, at least then it's all their problem if you want to send it back (again!).

finisterre said:
So mine's gone back due to lousy reception on T-Mobile UK in my house (my Hermes and my other half's Kaiser have no such problem).
Gutted, 'cos compared to my current Vario II it was a Rolls Royce.
So what do I do now? Risk trying another or wait till a version with new radio is out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or maybe wait for the SE Xperia X1. I'll skip the Touch Pro because of the reception issue. As the Diamond has the same problem since the beginning, I don't believe in a software fix for this problem.

Newbie question, sorry . I havent even fully worked out what the "radio" is! Is it the same as a new ROM?
My Touch Pro will arrive today or tomorrow. How likely is it that the signal performance of this phone will improve if a new Radio can be developed? I will have 10 days to return the phone if necessary, and change to another provider/contract, which is a shame as TMobile have arguably the best (data) contracts.
Stick or twist?

If you have this problem, make sure you report it to HTC like I did.
The more who do - the more chance of a fix.

Digger. said:
Newbie question, sorry . I havent even fully worked out what the "radio" is! Is it the same as a new ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A new ROM can contain various components. Official HTC or Carrier ROM's generally contain the OS (~100Mb), the Radio (~20Mb), the Splash Screens (~1Mb?), and the Bootloader (also small, but I can't remember how small). So they're fully loaded. Sometimes official Radio-Only updates are released, but from what I remember they're not that common.
Cooked ROMs around here are generally just the OS (and sometimes a compatible Radio if the OS actually relies on a specific Radio). The OS is all that you'd really notice much of a difference in, for day to day purposes, as it's the bit that contains "Windows Mobile".
It is possible to flash any one of the components seperately. For the purposes of solving signal issues, it should only be necessary to update the Radio component. If you do this, then all your settings, programs, etc would be untouched, 'cause it's just the bit of code that controls the "Phone" part of your device, rather than the "Windows Mobile" part.
If you get a Touch Pro now, and it's got bad T-Mobile 3G reception, you can either put up with 2G signals until a Radio update is released (officially or otherwise), or send it back. Personally, I'd do the former, as I can't see it taking more than a couple of weeks for the T-Mobile ROM to show it's face, and that'll have the T-Mobile optimised radio in it, which you'll be able to upgrade to...

Thanks for your reply sub69. Very helpful and much appreciated .

sub69 said:
If you get a Touch Pro now, and it's got bad T-Mobile 3G reception, you can either put up with 2G signals until a Radio update is released (officially or otherwise), or send it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With mine, it wasn't that it was dropping from 3G to 2G. It was losing the signal totally. So I would have been missing voice calls too.

Perhaps I wasnt as clear as i intended in my last post here but, as a member has already said the reception issues are most likely down to the radio stack rather than a poor device, this was an issue with the Hermes when it was first released (August 2006) and it was remedied about a month later with a radio update, im surprised people are sending thiers back so hastily!?!?
The thing i would HIGHLY recommend is (once we have HardSPL and etc...) to flash the radio stack which accompanies the Vario IV ROM once it is released /leaked. This radio version (if different) would have the TmobileUK tweaks in it if they still do such a thing?!
Im yet to see if anyone on orange UK has the same issues?? (same bands as tmobile).

Treo 750 and Tmobile usa, NO Edge connection??

Hey everyone.. as usual im having a problem. I have tmobile in the usa and my internet is ALWAYS horribly slow. Its only on GPRS and its just horrible slow. I never got and never do get an Edge connection. Im using the first windows mobile 6.1 that came out. Does the problem have anything to do with the windows os or the band selection? I tried changing the band but its a no go from what i see. How can i get this to work correctly and connected on edge?.. Also does tmobile usa 3g work on this phone? I always appreciate everyones answers! thank you so much for the help!

I fixed the problem:: I downgraded to the Row 2.27 unbranded rom and the rom had Edge. Now my phone is running much faster online the way it should =-)

jxs714 said:
I fixed the problem:: I downgraded to the Row 2.27 unbranded rom and the rom had Edge. Now my phone is running much faster online the way it should =-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm planning on upgrading to 6.1 on T-Mobile as well, could you point out where you got ROW 2.27 from.
EDIT: Nevermind, 2.27 is 6.0 but I want 6.1. So you say 6.1 is worse than 6.0 for EDGE?

The 6.1 that was on my treo never connected to edge, i could tell because the Speed was extremely slow and the connection never showed a E icon. For some reason it looks like Edge was missing on the rom, i dont know why. 6.1 is really no different at all from 6.0. The only difference i know is that 6.1 has the updated internet explorer built in which involves the ability to zoom, thats all lolz. That can easily be modified on 6.0 if you google well. im pretty of it. I am definitely happy with 6.0 and you will be too especially when you get to use edge.

jxs714 said:
The 6.1 that was on my treo never connected to edge, i could tell because the Speed was extremely slow and the connection never showed a E icon. For some reason it looks like Edge was missing on the rom, i dont know why. 6.1 is really no different at all from 6.0. The only difference i know is that 6.1 has the updated internet explorer built in which involves the ability to zoom, thats all lolz. That can easily be modified on 6.0 if you google well. im pretty of it. I am definitely happy with 6.0 and you will be too especially when you get to use edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you miss the reported snappier function of 6.1 and the threaded text msgs, automatic email fetch for pop/imap, and few other convenient features.
Sounds too good to pass up, but like you said EDGE is important.

i have Edge and the radio 1.54.27.00 running perfectly on my unlocked treo.

Unlocked on Tmobile? win 6.0/6.1?
Hi Guys:
I've just picked up a Treo 750, having used my 600 on Tmobile for years. I've been struggling for a week to try and get it unlocked. And I've been concerned about upgrading to Win 6.0 or 6.1
My Treo 750 is Cingular branded. ATT does not want to cooperate in giving me the subsidy unlock code. I used to be a Cingular customer, but they say I have to be a current customer in order to get the code from them.
Would you please tell me how you got yours unlocked?
Which firmware and/or radio versions are working for you?
Do I use the "unbranded" files? Or Cingular?
I need some help in figuring out where to download the proper files to get mine unlocked and onto Win 6.0 or 6.1. I would prefer that it work on Edge.
Thanks in advance for your help!

I have T-Mobile and had my 750 unlocked and on the internet. However, a couple of days ago, it quit connecting to the internet. It will download email with no problem but will not connect to a URL in Internet Explorer, Y!Go but will connect to messenger on Palringo. Any ideas? I have checked the connection settings and changed those around but nothing seems to work. It does not seem to connect to Edge either. Is there an update that helps or some settings that I am missing?

ATT Fuze ROM Questions

All,
I currently have an unbranded/unlocked HTC Tilt that I imported from the UK when they first came out about a year ago, well before ATT started selling their version of the Tilt. Mine has the front camera, etc.
As I understand it, ATT must have made some sort of deal with HTC on the Raphael (Fuze) because the Touch Pro I bought (and have since returned) would not support all of the 3G bands here in the states. I could only get EDGE.
I really want to get the new Fuze, but I am concerned about the limitations ATT is going to introduce on the ROM of this device, and I wouldn't buy the ATT version if there was another way to get the device with the appropriate US 3G band support.
So, my questions are:
1. Proxy Server settings: Is this available on the Fuze ROM? The Tilt I have now allows me to uncheck the "use proxy server" on my MediaNet connection profile. This is an important setting for me to have, as without it I can't get my Slingbox client and Newsbreak to work properly if it is enabled or not available to disable.
2. Internet sharing: Are the rumors of this being removed true? I hear that they pulled it. ATT is starting to look like Verizon with their ROM limitations. If they did pull the internet sharing app, can you copy it from another device or will applications like PDANet or WMWiFiRouter work in it's absence?
I think that is all I need to know for now. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
-Rob

robroy90 said:
All,
I currently have an unbranded/unlocked HTC Tilt that I imported from the UK when they first came out about a year ago, well before ATT started selling their version of the Tilt. Mine has the front camera, etc.
As I understand it, ATT must have made some sort of deal with HTC on the Raphael (Fuze) because the Touch Pro I bought (and have since returned) would not support all of the 3G bands here in the states. I could only get EDGE.
I really want to get the new Fuze, but I am concerned about the limitations ATT is going to introduce on the ROM of this device, and I wouldn't buy the ATT version if there was another way to get the device with the appropriate US 3G band support.
So, my questions are:
1. Proxy Server settings: Is this available on the Fuze ROM? The Tilt I have now allows me to uncheck the "use proxy server" on my MediaNet connection profile. This is an important setting for me to have, as without it I can't get my Slingbox client and Newsbreak to work properly if it is enabled or not available to disable.
2. Internet sharing: Are the rumors of this being removed true? I hear that they pulled it. ATT is starting to look like Verizon with their ROM limitations. If they did pull the internet sharing app, can you copy it from another device or will applications like PDANet or WMWiFiRouter work in it's absence?
I think that is all I need to know for now. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
-Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why dont you just flash a new rom to it?
internet sharing is there you just have to open from file explorer
and the NA touch pro will be available after the fuze with 3G

I thought about that...
Ok, I had considered that, but if I do flash a ROM, which one?
If I flash it, will it have the appropriate application/registry entries to support the bands for proper 3G operation here in the States?
GRRRRR.... why do they pull this crap? Apparently it is too much to ask to get a true "world" phone with all the bands in hardware and software!
-Rob

well i work for at&t and i was given the fuze as a demo device about a month ago and have since decided to keep it (kind of a nice thing). you can do what i just did to mine. I flashed it with HTC firmware, then flashed the at&t radio's onto it. I was also given a link to a cab file that switches the keyboard to the at&t layout (my only gripe change).
The onlything i see intresting is the Fuze's we got in last week, when i booted one up and played with it for a customer, i noticed they have a 1.95 SPL they are shipping with. wonder if that will effect flashing to the unsigned spl. And i will say, They didnt trim much out from original software, however they gave it the good ole' at&t bloatware.

waterhurley said:
well i work for at&t and i was given the fuze as a demo device about a month ago and have since decided to keep it (kind of a nice thing). you can do what i just did to mine. I flashed it with HTC firmware, then flashed the at&t radio's onto it. I was also given a link to a cab file that switches the keyboard to the at&t layout (my only gripe change).
The onlything i see intresting is the Fuze's we got in last week, when i booted one up and played with it for a customer, i noticed they have a 1.95 SPL they are shipping with. wonder if that will effect flashing to the unsigned spl. And i will say, They didnt trim much out from original software, however they gave it the good ole' at&t bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your store got multiple fuzes in??
and heres a question about bloatware on the fuze
with my 8525 whenever i hard reset i let it do the first customization to set the device up but i soft reset when it begins the 2nd since that is when att crap is loaded. does the fuze have a similar setup? or all at once

lbhocky19 said:
your store got multiple fuzes in??
and heres a question about bloatware on the fuze
with my 8525 whenever i hard reset i let it do the first customization to set the device up but i soft reset when it begins the 2nd since that is when att crap is loaded. does the fuze have a similar setup? or all at once
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the configuration is done during one customization screen. A soft reset to kill the bloat must be done before you see the "3...2...1..." countdown.

NotATreoFan said:
All the configuration is done during one customization screen. A soft reset to kill the bloat must be done before you see the "3...2...1..." countdown.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you
now with my 8525 i found if i cancelled the first one it messed up stuff and the phone didnt work right
if i cancel it on the fuze does everything still work and simply get rid of the att crap?

robroy90 said:
All,
I currently have an unbranded/unlocked HTC Tilt that I imported from the UK when they first came out about a year ago, well before ATT started selling their version of the Tilt. Mine has the front camera, etc.
As I understand it, ATT must have made some sort of deal with HTC on the Raphael (Fuze) because the Touch Pro I bought (and have since returned) would not support all of the 3G bands here in the states. I could only get EDGE.
I really want to get the new Fuze, but I am concerned about the limitations ATT is going to introduce on the ROM of this device, and I wouldn't buy the ATT version if there was another way to get the device with the appropriate US 3G band support.
So, my questions are:
1. Proxy Server settings: Is this available on the Fuze ROM? The Tilt I have now allows me to uncheck the "use proxy server" on my MediaNet connection profile. This is an important setting for me to have, as without it I can't get my Slingbox client and Newsbreak to work properly if it is enabled or not available to disable.
2. Internet sharing: Are the rumors of this being removed true? I hear that they pulled it. ATT is starting to look like Verizon with their ROM limitations. If they did pull the internet sharing app, can you copy it from another device or will applications like PDANet or WMWiFiRouter work in it's absence?
I think that is all I need to know for now. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
-Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rob-
I bought my Fuze off eBay so I can't swear that it is the same version as what will ship but I'm pretty sure that it is.
On mine, you can check or uncheck "use proxy server" in the Media Net settings just like on your Tilt. Also, mine DOES include the Internet Sharing. I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but since it's there I'm guessing it works.

Internet Sharing is in the official AT&T ROM. As a matter of fact, when you connect the USB cable, you get 2 choices: Activesync or Internet Sharing. No Wireless Modem crap on the Fuze.

lbhocky19 said:
why dont you just flash a new rom to it?
internet sharing is there you just have to open from file explorer
and the NA touch pro will be available after the fuze with 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you find out that there will be a NA Touch Pro after the Fuze is released?

Tilt vs G1

I have recently switched from AT&T to T-Mobile... I have a Tilt w/ HardSpl 3.29. It is Sim and CID unlocked and I have flashed a few different ROMs and currently have Dutty's 3.5 on it. The only problem is that AT&T uses 2100 mhz and T-Mobile uses 2100mhz and 1700Mhz so i can only use edge for data. Does anyone have any opinions on the G1 and how it would stack up against this Tilt. I like WinMO and feel like i am getting more proficient with modding it. Is there going to be alot of things that the Tilt will do that the G1 will not be capable of? or vice versa?... Thanx for any thoughts... 1st Post so bear with me....
Phone: AT&T Tilt
Carrier: T-Mobile
Sim-CID unlocked
HardSpl 3.29
Rom: Dutty's 3.5

JaceNSteale said:
I have recently switched from AT&T to T-Mobile... I have a Tilt w/ HardSpl 3.29. It is Sim and CID unlocked and I have flashed a few different ROMs and currently have Dutty's 3.5 on it. The only problem is that AT&T uses 2100 mhz and T-Mobile uses 2100mhz and 1700Mhz so i can only use edge for data. Does anyone have any opinions on the G1 and how it would stack up against this Tilt. I like WinMO and feel like i am getting more proficient with modding it. Is there going to be alot of things that the Tilt will do that the G1 will not be capable of? or vice versa?... Thanx for any thoughts... 1st Post so bear with me....
Phone: AT&T Tilt
Carrier: T-Mobile
Sim-CID unlocked
HardSpl 3.29
Rom: Dutty's 3.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the forum
My vote goes for Tilt because WM is a more mature OS than Android, perhaps in the future will be a good OS but by now I´ll stick to WM

Hands down the Tilt with WM, but no 3G. I find the tmob edge speeds & battery usage very good. I'm looking at the TP2 w/3G when it comes to tmob usa Jul 22nd!

btw what is soooooooooooooo good about andriod other than it is not by MS? heee

I've used the tilt, and by now I have to say I like the G1 a lot more. There's no lag that accompanies WM, and it's just been a great experience with Android. Especially now with all the great ROMs being cooked, plenty of apps to choose from in Market, and overall awesomeness + ease of use.

Thanx for the input so far.... its not that android is so good just that Tmobile doesn't have any other PPc's from HTC that run on win mo and i thought i would get a lot better speed with the 3g... I hadn't considered the Battery!!! I tried a Touch Pro w/Sprint for a few weeks before going to tmobile but it was impossible to lock the screen... it would wake up for every voice, text, or email message or if the key board was opened even a little... the phone ended up have many apps running all the time and it killed the battery... i had to charge it 3,4 times a day... HTC told me the HTC branded phone didn't do it.... the Sprint and verizon version both have this flaw... Sprint repair center told nothing they could do.... i had one the first week they came out.... i don't know if they have jumped on that yet...

I'd go with the Tilt, but it's close.
I've got a Tilt, and my son got a G1 about 2 months ago.
His hardware seems snappier to launch apps and in screen transitions. The integration of apps on Android is pretty cool as well. Infomation from one app is easily shared with other apps in the platform. There are WM apps that do this, Live search, and SPBMS3 come to mind, but in Android it feels seamless. the Google maps experience of street view on the G1 is also quite cool and uniquie to that device.
What WM (Tilt) has over Android, and someone above mentioned as well, is maturity and breadth of app (and mod) availability. With mostly free apps, my Tilt can do just about every cool thing the G1 can do, and more. If you like the Android look, Throttle Launcher can give that to you. The availability of apps for WM is many multiples of what is out there for Android (so far).
I will say that network speed definitly pushes me toward the Tilt. That is one area that he and I have done head to head comparisons. I'm on att, and my HSDPA, available even at my rural home, blows Tmob edge out of the water. If I had to go back to that, I'd be a lot less happy with any device.
I hope this helps

almost just for the face of 3g i would go with the G1 , my girlfriend has one and from experience i can say its a pretty great phone !

Telstra TP2 questions

Hey guys,
I recently got a Telstra TP2 on a new contract, but I can't stand what they've done to the ROM. For those who don't know, Telstra have added 4 extra tabs on TF3D (downloads, telstra applications, tv, news and sport) which can't be removed or turned off, and they've put 12 locked (unremovable) program shortcuts on the start menu.
As I'm in a rural area, I need the 850 band the Telstra version of the phone supplies, and I'm worried that flashing a new cooked rom will lose this functionality (I'm very new to this). As it is, the shipped version of the Telstra rom isn't found on this site through the wiki (version 1.19.841.3 (51489) wwe), so I'm scared that I'll lose it forever and won't be able to put it back on if something goes squirly.
Is there anyway I can get around this besides flashing a cooked rom, and possibly losing the shipped rom forever?
Also, have any other telstra users been able to use HDWall on the phone to replace the crappy blue telstra background throughout the device?
Many thanks,
Tim

Welcome to forums
Have a look on Rhodium ROM development and choose another ROM!
Good luck,

Thanks for the welcome
I've had a look around, making some heads and tails of it, but I really need to know if I'm going to lose my 850 band with Telstra if I flash another cooked rom without all this Telstra garbage on it.

No you wont
850 is a hardware stuff related and you cant change it with any ROM, so you can install
Just have a deep read on the how to section in rhodium rom development
Enjoy,

Hi there, me again.
I was at the Windows 7/Windows Phone pre-launch in Melbourne on Tuesday, and picked the brains of the Microsoft employees manning the Windows Phone booth showing off Winmo 6.5 on the TP2 and D2. One of the first things I was asked during the conversation was if I had already flashed 6.5 on my phone, which I was surprised about. I mentioned my reservations about losing the 850mhz band with Telstra NextG, and the employee told me that the support for the band is built into Telstra's crappy ROM, and would be lost if flashed with anything else.
Are they yanking my chain or what?

I would like to know this too.
I`ve changed my ROM twice, saved my original one.. and I`ve finally encountered a connectivity issue...
Perhaps it`s my using a Telstra, Unlocked HTC Touch Pro 2 with an Athine ROM (though it really doesn`t make any difference what ROM I use... Maybe) on my Rogers BlackBerry Internet plan.
But I`ve used the Sony Ericsson Xperia on it and a few weeks prior to this date, have had no problem surfing the internet.
It MAY be the fact that Rogers is having problems with their network in downtown Toronto, so I`m hoping it`s not my TP2...
In any case, I`m using HDWalls on my phone.. but I`m just (un)installing the individual walls as I go along.
There`s something wrong with my computer that I have to fix because I cannot install the items necessary to use HDsWalls on the phone, and on the computer.
But so far, it`s been the best.
Although, I just have to say.. if you don`t have anything like "background for all" sort of cab files on the phone, I believe;
1) The phone runs faster
2) The background quality is crisper/better
Took me 2 weeks for me to get my Telstra Touch Pro 2 from Australia to Canada, and it was worth it.
I BELIEVE just changing the ROM will do nothing to the radio.
Moving into radio talk, I was wondering if I updated my Telstra phone with the latest AT&T radio build, because the hardware is for 850mhz and so is the build...
Will it enhance my connectivity?
Does anyone have any expertise on this and help shed some light?