Someone wanna break down cellular networks for me?
 

I know there are a lot of terms out there for networks and their speeds, but sadly outside of seeing an iPhone 3G or something from VZW or Tmobile that says it is 3G how do you know what network you are on, as well as the speeds?

Buddy of mine at work has a Blackberry on T-Mobile and his phone says EDGE at the top where the signal meter is, my GF has a BB on Sprint that says 1XEV. What do all these mean and where can I find out more information on them?

The main reason I am asking is because I may finally be getting a new phone (Nextel FINALLY has a new Blackberry coming out this year) it is based on the Curve model that all the other carriers have, but it says it will run on the iDen network (I know this is the Nextel 2-way or PTT (push to talk) network) and it will have built in b/g wi-fi so what does all this mean for my speeds and usability? Obviously all the specs on the phone are not out, but it doesn't say anything about 3G or even the 1XEV that my gf has on her phone. The more I look, the more information I see with no true "average Joe" answer. Is the 1XEV the same as EVDO Rev. A?

Evolution-Data Optimized - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General Packet Radio Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Integrated Digital Enhanced Network - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Nextel uses this one)

Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Digital AMPS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Those clear up some of the confusion.

From what I seen somewhere else I would be getting the EVDO or 1XEV since I am on the iDen network with the new phone.

Also the HTC Mogul is the only phone that supports the EVDO Rev. A for Sprint