News of T-Mobile USA’s plans to roll out 3G coverage in the states in Q4 2008 (October to be precise) is doing the rounds, along with reports that they will also be launching the HTC Dream smartphone later this year. Could the two stories possibly have some connection?

The operator, which currently lags fourth in the states behind wireless behemoths AT&T, Verizon and Sprint Nextel, is rolling out 3G coverage to up to 25 states by the end of the year, following a successful launch in New York in May. The Sony Ericsson Z780 is thought to be among the four or five flagship handsets.

The Google Android HTC Dream had been separately confirmed as a fourth quarter release by T-Mobile. Until recently though, few had put the two together to assume that the Dream might be one of the fledgling 3G network’s killer apps. Now it looks increasingly likely, at least if you listen to bloggers and rumour windmills, that the Dream could carry the high-speed data network and propel T-Mobile into real competition with the big boys in the states.

A combination of fast third-generation speed and a bleeding-edge Android phone would indeed make T-Mobile a tempting proposition for those thirsty for a change from one of the big three networks, or people unconvinced by/bored of the iPhone. Punters will now just have to sit tight and wait for an official announcement from T-Mobile confirming the presence of the HTC Dream among the 3G lineup. So far, they have declined to confirm or deny it, stating that they have a policy of not commenting on rumours. Watch this space folks.