Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Wireless
Faster AT&T 3G network on the way
AT&T today announced that it will begin upgrading its network to the faster High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology later this year. The 3G network upgrade will not be completed until 2011, at which time AT&T plans to start deploying the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. This is contrary to previous roadmaps, which showed HSPA+ (20+ Mbps) deployment occurring prior to the move to LTE.Devices compatible with HSPA 7.2 3G networks are capable of a theoretical peak download speed of 7.2 Mbps (megabits per second), or almost a megabyte per second. While the current iPhone 3G does not support HSPA 7.2, many of the rumors circulating about a next-generation device include HSPA 7.2 compatibility. AT&T's press release also noted that "multiple HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones" will be available later this year.
The AT&T network is currently undergoing other upgrades, to the tune of over $17 billion of capital investment. AT&T is still deploying more 850 MHz spectrum for better coverage and in-building 3G reception. The 'Death Star' is adding fiber-optic connectivity and more capacity to many cell sites in anticipation of the higher bandwidth required by HSPA 7.2 and LTE, and the plan is to add almost 2,100 new cell sites in 2009.
AT&T also noted that they're working on customer trials of AT&T 3G MicroCell, using femtocells to improve in-building wireless coverage.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Unknown said 4:46PM on 5-27-2009
I wish they'd fix the reception issues in my chicagio-neighborhood home... Piss poor that I get 'no service' where TMO phones are just fine.
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verses9 said 4:47PM on 5-27-2009
you took the words right out of my mouth
Unknown said 4:49PM on 5-27-2009
meant to type Chicago-neighborhood.
Len Banks said 10:52PM on 5-27-2009
I live in the SF area and no service at all at my house - 3 blocks either way service - my block - NONE. 4G? great, but at least give me EDGE.
Galley said 4:50PM on 5-27-2009
AT&T activated a new cell tower less than a 1/4 mile from my workplace, yet I still get the "No Service" message most of the time. I get a whopping 50Kbps average download speeds on EDGE. It's rather pathetic.
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Unknown said 4:54PM on 5-27-2009
@Galley I got a text message similar to that. I was happy as I'm about to cut out of my contract. But I do not see any improvement whatsoever. My work *-berry on TMO is just fine and is what I use at home. NOT optimal. Looks like it's goodbye AT&T for me.
jonbruck said 4:54PM on 5-27-2009
The death star works in Gizmodo's graphics. It doesn't work as well in print.
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Ryan said 4:55PM on 5-27-2009
So what's the point of a 7.2 Mbps when we are not allowed to do the very thing that would make the speed increase valid, streaming video?
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Woz said 5:44PM on 5-27-2009
I'm hopeful that this will lift the wifi only restriction on Sling players. But I'll bet that I'll have to be in a wifi hotspot in order to download my podcasts and watch my slingbox after the change
Blueness said 5:31PM on 5-27-2009
I'm still waiting for regular AT&T 3G in my area. Verizon's 3G arrived 4 years ago. Squeezing more theoretical speed out of 3G seems less important than expanding coverage.
Edge will put you over the Edge. It was certainly never "cutting edge" and never gave users an edge.
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Simon.needham@gmail.com said 6:31PM on 5-27-2009
we've had 7.2 Mbps in Europe for ages. Is this really news? I don't think so.
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LiqwidZero said 10:26AM on 5-28-2009
No, this isn't news to you because AT&T isn't European based. It's American news.
So what, America is behind in the "Broadband Revolution", that doesn't mean you need to be an elitist.
j0510 said 6:45PM on 5-27-2009
Now when your calls get dropped, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing you were dropped by one of the fastest networks in the nation!
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Toby12188 said 7:43PM on 5-27-2009
i'll just be happy when i get 3g.. period. I'm in college and between the two cities between which i divide my time neither has 3g.
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Patrick said 9:55PM on 5-27-2009
Rogers Wireless In Canada has had 7.2mbps for almost a year now... I must say, the speeds are awesome, on my novatel USB I get speeds around 3-6mbps and uploads exceeding 1mbps. Problem is, my $30 plan only gets 6gigs (no longer available, you now get 1gig for that price)... I mostly use it in my N95 or my Iphone, but it's nice to be able to slip the sim in my novatel for those times I need real speeds.
The network is likely not nearly as congested in Canada, when I was in the US on AT&T a month ago I felt that my battery drained much faster with less usage.
It seems lately the US has been falling behid in data speeds and pricing... $60 for 5gigs seems hardly spectacular...
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Patrick said 9:57PM on 5-27-2009
Please note that this will likely not affect Iphone 3G users as the Iphone is only capable of 3.6mbps 3G. but some newer phones and aircards can take advantage of this,, and maybe the next gen Iphone
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tpfilm said 9:59PM on 5-27-2009
Same here. I live in Willington, NC. The largest city and metro area east of Raleigh and on the entire NC coast. No 3G! Jacksonville, NC & Fayettville, NC, both smaller cities, metro areas, have 3G. Fayettville is 2 hrs NW of Wilmington and Jacksonville is 1 hour NE.
Of course, the reason those two cities exist may be the reason they have 3G:
Fayettville: Fort Bragg (you may have heard of it's famous divisions: 101 Airborne, Delta Force?)
Jacksonville: Camp LeJuene (USMC: Country, God, Corp)
When the rest of yall are upgraded to 5G, let us know how fast it is.
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jens said 2:50AM on 5-28-2009
Oh, Sweden, how I love thee.
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=667257
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Travis Walls said 11:16AM on 5-28-2009
Can't believe I'm defending AT&T here, but I almost always have four or five bars and decent 3G speeds (~1 Mbps) where I live and work in Tampa. T-Mobile, on the other hand, keeps getting one bar or no service on my mom's unlocked iPhone when I hold the two side-by-side. I guess my point is that it all depends on where you're at. T-Mobile might be excellent and AT&T might suck for some of you, but that isn't the case for everyone.
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Steven Sande said 11:20AM on 5-28-2009
Dude, you're not the only one. I can barely get 2 bars on EDGE on the AT&T network at my home, which is in a built-up suburb. 3G service? Forget it; it doesn't exist. I also have a T-Mobile account for a G1, and I get 5 bars and full 3G service here. My Sprint wireless data USB adapter for my MacBook Air? 5 bars, full 3G.
The millisecond that Apple makes a deal with another carrier, I'm dropping AT&T like an incandescently hot rock.
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