With the release of the latest BlackBerry Bold 9700, Research in Motion released two versions of the device–one for AT&T and the rest of the world, and one compatible with T-Mobile’s AWS 3G spectrums. However, both models, according to an investigation by BGR, use the same hardware, mainly the 3G chip that supports these different global frequencies. What really controls the 3G frequency support in the BlackBerry–starting with the Bold 9700–is not the hardware chip, but rather the 3G bandwidth support is via software. RIM can essentially flash a phone with the appropriate software, carrier branding, and activate the right 3G bands to support. Now, if only we can get all the 3G bands to be supported at one time for true, global roaming.

(via: BGR)