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AT&T to Inject Speed into Mobile Networks

(11 Sep 2009, BWCS Staff)

AT&T has announced further plans to upgrade its 3G network to HSPA in various markets across the US by the end of the year. The cities singled out by the telco for the 7.2Mbps mobile data network are: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami. The company says that by the end of next year it should have 25 out of the 30 largest urban markets in the States upgraded to HSPA services. In part, at least, the need for speed has been driven by the popularity of the HSPA-compatible iPhone 3G which AT&T has been selling so successfully.

The HSPA technology that AT&T is using can, in theory, go up to 14.4 Mbps on the downlink. However, carriers are reluctant to use its full speed as they are preparing even faster 4G networks, which may come into operation as early as next year. Like Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless, AT&T will use LTE technology in its next generation mobile access networks, and it will have a few test markets live in 2010. The company says it will have 90% of its 3G markets converted by the end of 2011.

AT&T has been criticized by some users of the Apple 3G iPhone as its networks have not always been able to keep up with the demands placed on it especially when many users gather in one area, for example at large trade shows where the technically savvy get together.

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