T-Mobile announced its plans to get up and running eight more 3G markets, which will be available starting with next month, bringing the total to 21 3G markets. The decision is likely to be linked to the upcoming release of the new HTC Dream phone, the first to be equipped with Google’s Android operating system. Such a launch needs to cover every single aspect and that is why the company decided to increase its efforts.

At this point, the carrier’s 3G option is available in Dallas, Austin, Las Vegas, Baltimore, San Antonio, Boston, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Phoenix, New York (including northern New Jersey and Long Island), Portland, and San Diego. Starting with next month, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and Sacramento will be added to the list and later this year Tampa, Memphis, Detroit, Kansas City, Birmingham and Denver are also expected to join.

The company explained that its plans will continue throughout 2009 in order to take the network as far as possible.

"With the faster data speeds delivered by our 3G network, T-Mobile looks forward to offering mobile products and services that place the full power of the Web in our customers' hands," said Cole Brodman, chief development officer of T-Mobile USA.

HTC’s highly debated device, which will use the even higher debated Google OS, is expected to bring major revenue for T-Mobile, which decided to set its price at a very competitive $199 fee. In order to get the device at such a price, customers will have to sign a deal with the carrier, which will win back the subsidized amount through its monthly fees.