AT&T 3G network upgrades underway; 7.2 Mbps HSDPA ahead of new iPhone launch
By now it is painfully obvious that AT&T and Apple will announce at least one new iPhone model this coming June; heck, even analysts jumped on board with bloggers a few months ago in stating that a new iPhone model this Summer is imminent. Back in March, we ran through some exciting details laid out by an AT&T exec and among them was the note that Apple’s new handset would support faster HSDPA to the tune of 7.2 Mbps. Well here we are in April and Scott McElroy, VP of Technology at AT&T Mobility, has confirmed the company is currently working on software upgrades that will boost 3G downlink speeds to… You guessed it… 7.2 Mbps. Despite the fact that we’re lucky if we can get 400 Kbps in the New York area right now, AT&T’s current 3G network supports speeds up to 3.6 Mbps so the upgrades being performed will double that speed. We have to admit, we’re a little scared to think of what network performance is going to be like when the new iPhone drops and increasing download speeds isn’t going to help resolve current issues. It looks like we may be in for a bumpy ride leading up to AT&T’s migration to HSPA+ in late 2009/early 2010, and the subsequent launch of AT&T’s LTE network.
Rogers has had the 3.5g network for a few months now. My HP Ipaq 910 loves it.
AT&T is going to need it. Apple just denied SlingPlayer app for iPhone at AT&T’s request due to concerns of overtaxing their already overtaxed network. Hulu app coming to iPhone, and now rumors of HD – AT&T is in serious trouble if they cannot deliver. Particularly so, they are requesting extension of their exclusivity with Apple.
@ BACK BEAT
which line item do you mean? i hope you didnt refer to this
“ATT is not responsible for slow data, or dropped calls. since our 3G network is very limited, chances are you will encounter problems in as much as 95 % of the US and virgin islands. NOT TO BE SCARED HOWEVER, you will still be able to benefit from our 2G network which is a reliable century old proven technology that gets you great speeds and reception.”
^Simply pitiful. Thanks for degrading any valid argument you may have had by no less than 100%. Congrats!
Does anyone know why the ATT network is so consistently bad (or absent) in NYC? It is one of the main reasons I haven’t gotten a iPhone (that and the terrible battery life). Some have said it is the geography of so many buildings, but why cant ATT just put up more cells – there are tens of thousands of rooftops available.
It always amazes me that my buddy from Hburg PA gets strong fast 3G in the outskirts of Hburg, but often nada here in the city (including outside, on the street). Forget about inside.
Expect data prices to move on up to the East side…
@joecurve
By “century old” do you mean like CDMA, which has been around for like 10 years? At least AT&T upgraded their “old” technology across the board. Btw, which 3G technology does Verizon and Sprint use to carry their voice calls??
Oh wait, that’s right…
@DigDug more simultaneous users sucking up all that bandwidth, the less bandwidth there will be. Its a problem AT&T faces in all major cities. Switch to Sprint
Will this faster speed work on the USB mercury
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
Not to mention all the new capabilities of the 3.0 software, just wait until all the people with EDGE only iPhones and expiring 2 year contracts run out and buy new iPhones adding to the 3G network problems. That’s gotta be a few million more right there. Uh-oh…
Perfect for the nokia n97
quoted speeds, for HSPA, similar to Cable modem internet, are for “channel capacity” not per user capacity. SO, 7.2 Mbps is for the channel, divide by number of concurrent users, and you get your per user rate. I fairly doubt that the handset has too much to do with it up to certain speeds, speeds above where the networks currently are.
@backbeat
I’m stating facts!
@martin
Yeah the 1xrtt that dosent drop or loses a phone call, THAT one!!!!!
My nokia e71 been doing 3.5g from day one.
@joecurve: In specifics, what do you use on your phone which requires greater than 1.5mbps? Downloading that 120-page User Manual in PDF? Doing the kiddie-thing and watching Sling all day, every day?
omg talk of new iphonez!
AT&T doesn’t need to worry about upgrading exsisting 3g. They need to worry about expanding their current 3g area. If that’s part of the plan then I might grab the new iPhone when it drops if not I’m rolling with the palm pre
That “1xrtt that dosent drop or loses a phone call” has to be the most STUPID thing I have heard in a long time. 1xrtt drops calls left and right in my area. EDGE and 3G on AT&T kicks Verizon and Sprint’s a$$ to the curb here (Nashville and Murfreesboro TN). I have had both, and HERE its not even a competition. Unfortunately most here are too ignorant to realize that Verizon is a ripoff for this particular area. Big Red isn’t Big Red everywhere
I agree with blackbeat: 1.5mbps is plenty for a phone right now since most phone CPUs can’t even handle receiving data any faster. It really only matters for notebook cards at this point in time.
Still need to expand the current 3g instead upgrading the existing but they have to make sure the new iphone is fitted
@ backbeat
My BB is my info center when I’m out of the office. Viggo, mobile news sites. And blogs to stay informed. Speed of big red is unbeateble in my area EXCEPT for the bold, which has a fat little processor. That’s why I’m waiting for the naiagara
^According to your prejudices, their expansion would never be sufficient. Why do you bother, BitchBoy?
@joecurve: Then what, in specifics, is your problem? You wouldn’t know what to do with 1.5mbps if that’s as far as your needs go.
I’m backbeat’s gay lover. Come home now sweetie…I’m all hot and warm for you in the back
Stop wasting people’s time here and come home. We all know that you’re playing with your useless iPhone for too long. AT&T so called network is useless and can’t handle the network overload period. 3G drops to EDGE, calls lost left and right blah, blah, blah.
You want the real network, go Verizon. Till then, dinners ready and I’ll be waiting in bed. Please don’t forget the lube.
Oh forgot, I thought I was your bitchboy, why are you call others my pet name?
Please come home now dinner’s getting cold