AT&T building out, speeding up 3G network
By Ronald O Carlson
Wireless carrier’s efforts to boost the speed of its network get all of the headlines, but that’s only part of the picture as unserved and underserved markets get their first taste of 3G connectivity. Whereas major urban areas will see network throughput increase to up 7.2Mbps, those living in more provincial and rural markets will finally be able to enjoy the older, slower version of 3G.
IntoMobile reports that AT&T is following through on its pledge to increase the speed of its 3G network (select, mostly urban markets) from 3.6Mbps to 7.2Mbps. This roll out comes ahead of and in conjunction with the upcoming release of Apple’s third generation iPhone, which it is believed will need the faster throughput in order push the web browsing and media delivery envelopes—areas where Cupertino is already far and away the leader.
Of course, these throughput figures are theoretical maximums and users aren’t likely to experience them, except perhaps in the middle of the night. That said, if you’ve been waiting to download that illustrated version of War and Peace using an iPhone BitTorrent client, you might want to think again.
3G in BFE
The local newspaper of record—yes, we still have such things out here—the Erie Times, reports AT&T will expand its 3G mobile network to this provincial city, Pennsylvania’s fourth largest, latter in 2009, about a year after the 3G iPhone went on sale here. The Times reports:
The service would give AT&T mobile phones connections similar to high-speed Internet and allow customers to download a 1 megabyte file in less than 10 seconds and upload the same file in about 16 seconds at the slowest speeds.
Additionally, towns smaller still (ie Corry, PA) will also see 3G upgrades sometime over the next year.
So, yes, 7.2Mbps 3G is coming to select US cities and markets and, better still, first generation 3G is coming for the first time to lesser known (and super cheap to live in) places, as well.
Got 3G in your neck of the words? Do share below…
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