AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile Make Moves to Improve Coverage

[MacRumors]

Three US carriers have announced plans to improve their coverage areas, with AT&T announcing a $14 billion new investment, T-Mobile bringing HSPA+ or 4G support to three new metropolitan areas, and Sprint announced a $480 million spectrum and customer acquisition from regional carrier U.S. Cellular.

AT&T says it is investing $14 billion to expand its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks in order to accommodate future growth in high-speed Internet connectivity.

AT&T today announced plans to invest $14 billion over the next three years to significantly expand and enhance its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks to support growing customer demand for high-speed Internet access and new mobile, app and cloud services. The investment plan - Project Velocity IP (VIP) - expands AT&T's high-potential growth platforms, helping drive continued increases in revenues from existing and new products and services, and earnings per share.

T-Mobile announced that it has brought HSPA+ service to three new metropolitan areas, expanding its 'Bring Your Own Phone' marketing effort. T-Mobile says iPhone 4S devices running on its network experience 70% faster connections than comparable devices on AT&T.

T-Mobile customers can now experience these improvements in:

Washington D.C.: Alexandria, VA; Arlington, VA; Chevy Chase, MD; Falls Church, VA; Laurel, MD; McLean, VA; and Silver Spring, MD.

Baltimore: Glen Burnie and Towson, MD

Houston: Cypress, Jersey Village, Humble, Kingwood, and The Woodlands.

T-Mobile network advancements also continue in additional cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York metro area, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle. Customers in parts of these metro areas are already experiencing improved coverage and iPhone "speed sightings" on T-Mobile's 4G network.

Finally, Sprint is purchasing 585,000 Midwestern subscribers and a chunk of related spectrum from U.S. Cellular for $480 million. U.S. Cellular customers in Chicago, St. Louis, central Illinois, and other Midwestern markets are affected. Japanese carrier Softbank recently purchased a controlling interest in Sprint.

(Image via Flickr/Gary Lerude)

Article Link: AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile Make Moves to Improve Coverage

[Radio]

Yes makes sense they are doing something positive for all the money we pay.

We need the government to step in and stop the price gouging

[aristobrat]

Gesh, remember the good ole AT&T days where they were spending $18B in a single year? Now it's $14B over three years? lol

[jontech]

Even in Hawaii, with Verizon's LTE coverage there are many spots with 3G only.


Sucks when you get used to LTE then go to a non LTE area

[gkarris]

3G starting to come in on my old 3GS on T-Mobile around Chicago...

[lshaner]

Too late, AT&T! I already switched to Verizon because for more than 10 years I have had no AT&T signal at my house and you never cared enough to do anything about it!

[TheseGoTo11]

Here's to hoping...at least for AT&T. I live in the middle of Scottsdale, AZ and can't make a phone call from any room in my house. I have to drive a block away before I get cell reception.

[Junipr]

Here's to ATT bringing back true unlimited, unthrottled data to us loyal customers with grandfathered plans

[TrentS]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

Here's to hoping...at least for AT&T. I live in the middle of Scottsdale, AZ and can't make a phone call from any room in my house. I have to drive a block away before I get cell reception.

Sounds like you should have complained.

[qwerter]

Originally Posted by gkarris

3G starting to come in on my old 3GS on T-Mobile around Chicago...

Likewise on my 4S. Makes waiting at the Belmont stop much easier.

[IzzyJG99]

AT&T built near me a new tower. It's been sitting there finished for over a year now, without the node array on the top installed. Annoying as heck.

[akuma13]

Has anyone experienced the improved T-Mobile service in the DC area?

[ytk]

Is that a picture of the cloud?

[Stridder44]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[rhett7660]

Originally Posted by Stridder44

I'll believe it when I see it.

You and me both. I keep getting txt messages saying a new tower has been installed in my area, but my bars do not move!

[krashx7]

Originally Posted by Junipr

Here's to ATT bringing back true unlimited, unthrottled data to us loyal customers with grandfathered plans

lol keep dreamin buddy

[rickdollar]

Hey, AT&T, don't worry about apps and clouds. Let's just concentrate on the network, OK?

[joueboy]

AT&T will spend the $10 billion in advertising, the remaining $4 billion is for actual improvements. Thanks AT&T!

[HiRez]

AT&T has been saying this for years, every year. And their coverage still sucks.

[AntJon82]

there doing this cause HURRICANE SANDY messed up alot of ATT serivce in the noreast didnt have a phone for 2-3 days its sucked not even INTERNET it was horrible besides no power but i hope dey design weather proof towers and stronger 4G and LTE SIGNALS FOR EVERYBODY

[Fresh Pie]

Improved coverage as depicted by… clouds.

[prspectiv2]

What a coincidence!

The day after a democratic administration gains four more years, AT&T believes in reaching more customers and improving broadband by investing in infrastructure.

Ars Technica covers this story from a slightly different angle.

[camnchar]

Same here with the crappy coverage from AT&T for 4 years. Complained, got partial refunds, got a 3G microcell, no improvement. Calls dropped every. single. day.

No problems since I switched to Verizon!

[ZipZap]

Too Little too late. We'll never notice the improvement.

[Aspasia]

Quite amusing given it was precisely two months ago when AT&T made 3G available in my area.