Browse by Tags

Since when did wireless data speeds leap-frog over fixed-line broadband speeds? Apparently since the GSMA started taking notes on the various 4G LTE test currently underway around the globe. “Tests show LTE can produce speeds up to 186 Mbps,” said GSMA director of technology Dan Warren, but only in the most ideal of conditions (read: [...]

What's this fascination we have with getting having ever faster wireless data connections? First it was 2G, then there was WiFi on handsets, then 3G came along, and now we're looking forward to 4G technologies like LTE to deliver true broadband-like data speeds over the air. Not that downloading entire firmware updates or even movies [...]

Filed under: ATT , Sprint , Verizon Wireless , GSM , EV-DO , HSDPA , Studies , CDMA , Misc , HSUPA , LTE The folks over at Computerworld just ran the current 3G providers in America through their paces, only to discover that AT&T came out on top in almost every category. Well, it appears the monolithic telco plans to keep its edge (er...) on the competition -- by upping its HSPA service to a whopping 20Mbps come 2009. Our main man Ralph de la Vega said that the process wouldn't require a major overhaul to the provider's infrastructure, and that they're already working on punching up the current 3.6Mbps speeds to 7.2Mbps "in the labs." Apparently, this won't stall plans for forthcoming 4G / 700MHz / LTE service from the company -- it'll just be icing on the cake. Read - Which 3G network is the best? Read - AT&T plans 20-megabit 3G by 2009 Permalink | Email this | Comments

While many AT&T customers are enjoying the No. 1 US carrier's HSDPA (HSPA in some areas) 3G network, AT&T's 3G speeds are still relatively slow compared to their counterparts in Europe and Asia. Following AT&T's HSUPA upgrade to their 3G network this year (creating a true HSPA network), Big Blue has announced on Wednesday that [...]

Love AT&T’s 3G network performance? Hate AT&T’s 3G network reliability and coverage? Right, us too. But, fear not, AT&T-fan. The No. 1 national wireless carrier has announced that they’ve got some massive 3G upgrades planned for 2008 - again . As expected, AT&T will be turning up the dial on their HSPA network and offering coverage in 80 new cities - bringing the grand total of HSPA-covered areas to 350. The announcement times perfectly with the FCC’s approval of the AT&T acquisition of Aloha’s 12Mhz slice of the 700Mhz spectrum. AT&T has ear-marked this extra bandwidth for “broadcast video or for two-way communications such as voice, data or multicast content,” and expanding their 3G HSPA network falls directly in the “data” category. The network upgrade will bring 600Kbps to 1.4Mbps downlink speeds and 500Kbps to 800Kbps uplink speeds to even more parts of the country. And, after most of AT&T’s network gets the HSPA-treatment, the AT&T 3G network will be ready for inevitable HSPA+ upgrades. Of course, all these upgrades are just milestones on the path towards AT&T’s eventual 4G LTE network rollout in 2009 at the earliest, with 2010/2011 being more realistic time-frames for a full commercial LTE network launch. Is AT&T upgrading their 3G network to get ready for the 3G iPhone? Well, AT&T upgraded its EDGE network ahead of and during the iPhone’s initial launch. So, it wouldn’t be a far-stretch to think that AT&T is making sure its HSPA-ship is in shape before Apple bows the 3G iPhone sometime this year . Read on for the full press release… AT&T Plans Major Expansion of 3G Wireless Broadband Service in 2008 Company to Expand 3G Service to More Than 80 New Cities, Complete Upload Broadband Speed Enhancements New Milestones Mark Next Step in Direction Toward Long-Term Evolution (LTE) San Antonio, Texas, February 6, 2008 _uacct = "UA-361227...

We’ve been whining about Sprint’s seeming lack of focus on its WiMAX ( XOHM ) network, and all that complaining may have paid off. Actually, our incessant goading probably had little nothing to do with Sprint’s newest announcement, but it’s nice to think we had some sort of influence. Sprint’s WiMAX network is slated to go live this week in a limited trial-run. The 4G (well, it’s officially a 3G standard , but we think it qualifies as 4G) WiMAX network will be rolled out this week for Sprint employees only - in an effort to get its network ready for prime-time trials in Q1 of 2008. As it stands, Sprint will be flipping the WiMAX-switch on the downtown centers of Chicago, Baltimore and Washington - expanding to other US cities based on wireless data demand. Clearwire is out of the picture , but we’re assuming that Sprint’s leaving the door open to other investors to help with the nationwide network launch. The trial-run launch of Sprint’s WiMAX network this week barely makes the carrier’s self-imposed deadline for the launch of its 4G network by year’s end. We’ve heard rumor after rumor that put the entire WiMAX venture in doubt, so it’s good to see that Sprint is still committed to bringing their mobile broadband 4G network online in-time for a 2008 commercial roll-out. The full commercial launch should cement Sprint’s position as the premier high-speed wireless data provider in the States - Verizon and AT&T ’s LTE network won’t even see the light of day until 2009. All your financial woes may take a turn for the better, Sprint. Keep on keepin’ on! [Via: Telephony Online ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Sprint considering WiMAX network optionsSamsung signs on to build WiMAX network for Sprint in New York Metropolitan areaTexas to be among the first to try out Sprint Nextel's WiMAX networkLebanon gets its WiMAX onSprint and Clearwire team up for US WiMAX network...