NEW YORK -- T-Mobile USA's press conference with parent Deutsche Telekom today in New York will detail how the companies expect to proceed after spending close to $4 billion for rights to airwaves in a recent government auction.

According to materials provided early this morning, the companies plan to discuss how they expect the Bellevue-based U.S. division to compete as the fourth largest carrier in the U.S., and how the spectrum purchased will allow it to close the gap between it and its larger competitors. The announcement will include its plans to roll out a 3G wireless broadband network. T-Mobile will also defend its position as the last nationwide carrier in the U.S. to start deploying 3G.
The network build-out was not possible until it purchased more spectrum.

The companies also will outline how critical T-Mobile USA is critical to the larger Deutsche Telekom organization.

The 3G roll-out is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2006 and most of the work will be completed in 2007 and 2008, according to the release.