T-Mobile announced an aggressive continuation of its 3G buildout, with 120 markets expected to be lit by late November. With 3G market additions in Sacramento, CA, Memphis, TN, and Tampa, FL, T-Mobile says it currently covers 92 markets. T-Mobile has some catching up to do, with their competitors having a significant 3G lead in markets and subscribers served. They have raised the stakes for themselves with the pending introduction of the Google co-branded G1 phone. Poor 3G coverage could prove to be disastrous for T-Mobile if word gets around that the G1 experience is lacking a credible 3G feel. That could drive lucrative 3G customers into the willing hands of AT&T and its iPhone.
I’m not sure if anyone tracks this specifically, but it seems to me that T-Mobile is building out their 3G network at an incredible clip. Interesting to note how they’ve always talked about markets, not POPs covered.