AT&T 3G Availability Map, 3G Data Plan Only Option

MacRumors · 09:08 PM

Map from TUAW, click for larger.
AT&T provides a tool to let you know if you are in an area that receives 3G service. At the moment, 3G service is focused on major metropolitan areas. Fortunately, the iPhone 3G falls back to EDGE (2.5G) service if outside a 3G area.

Unfortunately, however, if you buy an iPhone 3G, you must purchase the 3G ($30/month) data plan even if you live outside 3G areas. According to Mark Siegel, Executive Director of Media Relations with AT&T Mobility, there is only one price for the data service, and that's presumably $30/month.

Where available, 3G provides much faster data (web, email, downloads) service over the 2.5G network which was built into the first generation iPhone.

Article Link

mkrishnan · Jun 10, 2008, 08:53 PM

Maybe I'm being a dunce, but what do all the colors and shades mean? Is it the blue on the 3G/HSPA map that is the HSPA service area, or the blue and the orange? I don't see a key anywhere.

Out of curiosity, relatedly is there any news about original iPhone owners who want to switch plans or people who buy a used iPhone and want to activate it with AT&T? Are they going to have the old data service plan costs or only the $30 option?

arn · Jun 10, 2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkrishnan

Maybe I'm being a dunce, but what do all the colors and shades mean? Is it the blue on the 3G/HSPA map that is the HSPA service area, or the blue and the orange? I don't see a key anywhere.

Sorry. Dark blue is 3G.

arn

kshat28 · Jun 10, 2008, 09:06 PM

Can i just purchase a data plan and not a voice plan

Shannighan · Jun 10, 2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kshat28

Can i just purchase a data plan and not a voice plan

no

Rojo · Jun 10, 2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

Sorry. Dark blue is 3G.

arn

Seriously?? That's IT?

Wow. I assumed it was more widespread. Now I can understand how outrageous it is for AT&T to demand everyone pay for 3G service with the new phone, when it's just in sporadic spots throughout the U.S. That's kind of crazy. There should really be a 2G/old iPhone plan option. Just disable any possibility of using 3G. Can't they do that?

Shannighan · Jun 10, 2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rojo

Seriously?? That's IT?

Wow. I assumed it was more widespread. Now I can understand how outrageous it is for AT&T to demand everyone pay for 3G service with the new phone, when it's just in sporadic spots throughout the U.S. That's kind of crazy. There should really be a 2G/old iPhone plan option. Just disable any possibility of using 3G. Can't they do that?

yes they can, my moms phone is 3g capable but it is not turned on. (sprint)
but same goes for all companies

3D-Troll · Jun 10, 2008, 09:12 PM

I feel the AT&T site works better, it actually let's you zoom in.

CoverageViewer

Steffen

jayducharme · Jun 10, 2008, 09:17 PM

I think you'll see AT&T rolling out more and more 3G coverage in the coming months. After all, they really just started less than a year ago. I can't see them selling you a 3G capable phone and giving you just an Edge plan. How would the phone know that? How would they disable it so that you couldn't use 3G when it was available (or bill you extra for it)? Having just one data plan simplifies it for them.

Again, remember that the customer is not important in this scenario.

deannnnn · Jun 10, 2008, 09:21 PM

Wow... I'm also surprised at how scarce it is!
Verizon killsssss!
Either way... I live in South Florida, and we're covered =)

deannnnn · Jun 10, 2008, 09:28 PM

Now that I think about it... it's really a lot more coverage than you'd think.
Check out the difference when zoomed in...

jsanche6 · Jun 10, 2008, 09:29 PM

Do you guys think there's gonna be an existing customers plan or just one plan for everyone? Cuz i think it's really dumb that they would treat existing ATT customers like this. I sold my ipod touch and my phone that I recently upgraded so I could get my first iphone. I'd buy the plan if it was $20 like before.

longofest · Jun 10, 2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deannnnn

Wow... I'm also surprised at how scarce it is!
Verizon killsssss!
Either way... I live in South Florida, and we're covered =)

Verizon's map. Blue is 3G, dark green is 2.5G.

Small White Car · Jun 10, 2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rojo

Wow. I assumed it was more widespread.

Now, try and remember all the "we MUST have 3G!" posts around here over the last 6 months

Granted, those were from people who lived in those blue areas, but they sure talked like they spoke for EVERYONE, didn't they?

deannnnn · Jun 10, 2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small White Car

Now, try and remember all the "we MUST have 3G!" posts around here over the last 6 months

Granted, those were from people who lived in those blue areas, but they sure talked like they spoke for EVERYONE, didn't they?

Hmm.. Washington DC is a blue area isn't it?

mathewr · Jun 10, 2008, 09:51 PM

how perfect im moving from long island to nyc july 11th ish

BiikeMike · Jun 10, 2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deannnnn

Hmm.. Washington DC is a blue area isn't it?

Nice!

Here is a list of 3G cities from AT&T

Link

xUKHCx · Jun 10, 2008, 09:52 PM

02 also have a map

In the first one dark blue represent (video calls i.e. 3G) and in the second map the purple represents HSDPA. Looks like that where there is 3G there is HSDPA although coverage is not as strong. The areas covered represent a large proportion of our population.

I live in places with HSDPA coverage and on my first gen iPhone I very infrequently get EDGE coverage (about once a month). EDGE was and is a joke over here.

Small White Car · Jun 10, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deannnnn

Hmm.. Washington DC is a blue area isn't it?

You bet your sweet bippy it is!

The difference is that I didn't go around telling everyone else they simply had to have 3G. I'll enjoy my life, thank you, but I'm not going to pretend that everyone else is the same as me.

Michael CM1 · Jun 10, 2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayducharme

I think you'll see AT&T rolling out more and more 3G coverage in the coming months. After all, they really just started less than a year ago. I can't see them selling you a 3G capable phone and giving you just an Edge plan. How would the phone know that? How would they disable it so that you couldn't use 3G when it was available (or bill you extra for it)? Having just one data plan simplifies it for them.

Again, remember that the customer is not important in this scenario.

I'm sure the people out in the middle of BFE are going to rush to pay $30/month for EDGE speeds. That's what gets me. I'm probably moving outside Atlanta's 3G area later this year, so why upgrade my phone for what may be the same thing? I'm still back and forth on this, but I'm glad I got a refurb EDGE phone which cut $150 from my price and lets me pay $20/month.

I could deal with the $30/month data if they would ever cut their package rates. They start at $40/month for anything with rollover minutes, and that's what you start at for the iPhone plan. What about a $30 plan with 200 minutes? I seriously use my phone about that much (I have more than 3000 rollover minutes in the tank). I just don't get the impression that AT&T gives one rat's patoot about customers.

PlaceofDis · Jun 10, 2008, 10:14 PM

this is the reason that the first one wasn't 3G, there really just isn't as much coverage sadly.

newyorksole · Jun 10, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathewr

how perfect im moving from long island to nyc july 11th ish

that's coo, long island has good 3G coverage too, as well as nyc of course

yetanotherdave · Jun 10, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small White Car

Now, try and remember all the "we MUST have 3G!" posts around here over the last 6 months

Granted, those were from people who lived in those blue areas, but they sure talked like they spoke for EVERYONE, didn't they?

All from europeans, where 3G is the norm.

Mac Attack 360 · Jun 10, 2008, 10:27 PM

Does this mean you add $3o to your wireless plan? Or is it just $30 starting?

stagi · Jun 10, 2008, 10:37 PM

Thats a bummer you have to pay the new price if you live in an area without 3g.

Jun 10, 2008, 08:50 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	AT&T 3G Availability Map, 3G Data Plan Only Option Map from TUAW, click for larger. AT&T provides a tool to let you know if you are in an area that receives 3G service. At the moment, 3G service is focused on major metropolitan areas. Fortunately, the iPhone 3G falls back to EDGE (2.5G) service if outside a 3G area. Unfortunately, however, if you buy an iPhone 3G, you must purchase the 3G ($30/month) data plan even if you live outside 3G areas. According to Mark Siegel, Executive Director of Media Relations with AT&T Mobility, there is only one price for the data service, and that's presumably $30/month. Where available, 3G provides much faster data (web, email, downloads) service over the 2.5G network which was built into the first generation iPhone. Article Link Last edited by arn : Jun 10, 2008 at 09:08 PM.

Jun 10, 2008, 08:53 PM	#2
mkrishnan Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA	Maybe I'm being a dunce, but what do all the colors and shades mean? Is it the blue on the 3G/HSPA map that is the HSPA service area, or the blue and the orange? I don't see a key anywhere. Out of curiosity, relatedly is there any news about original iPhone owners who want to switch plans or people who buy a used iPhone and want to activate it with AT&T? Are they going to have the old data service plan costs or only the $30 option? __________________ Mohan

Jun 10, 2008, 09:06 PM	#4
kshat28 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	Can i just purchase a data plan and not a voice plan __________________ It is an iPod Touch, not an iTouch!

Jun 10, 2008, 09:21 PM	#10
deannnnn macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City & South Florida	Wow... I'm also surprised at how scarce it is! Verizon killsssss! Either way... I live in South Florida, and we're covered =) __________________ MacBook 2.2 GHz Intel, 2 GB RAM iMac G5 20" 1.8 GHz PPC, 1.25 GB RAM iPhone 3GS 32GB

Jun 10, 2008, 09:28 PM	#11
deannnnn macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City & South Florida	Now that I think about it... it's really a lot more coverage than you'd think. Check out the difference when zoomed in... __________________ MacBook 2.2 GHz Intel, 2 GB RAM iMac G5 20" 1.8 GHz PPC, 1.25 GB RAM iPhone 3GS 32GB

Jun 10, 2008, 09:12 PM	#8
3D-Troll macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI	I feel the AT&T site works better, it actually let's you zoom in. CoverageViewer Steffen

Jun 10, 2008, 09:17 PM	#9
jayducharme macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The hinterlands	I think you'll see AT&T rolling out more and more 3G coverage in the coming months. After all, they really just started less than a year ago. I can't see them selling you a 3G capable phone and giving you just an Edge plan. How would the phone know that? How would they disable it so that you couldn't use 3G when it was available (or bill you extra for it)? Having just one data plan simplifies it for them. Again, remember that the customer is not important in this scenario.

Jun 10, 2008, 09:29 PM	#12
jsanche6 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	Do you guys think there's gonna be an existing customers plan or just one plan for everyone? Cuz i think it's really dumb that they would treat existing ATT customers like this. I sold my ipod touch and my phone that I recently upgraded so I could get my first iphone. I'd buy the plan if it was $20 like before.

Jun 10, 2008, 09:51 PM	#16
mathewr macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2007	how perfect im moving from long island to nyc july 11th ish

Jun 10, 2008, 09:52 PM	#18
xUKHCx Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Kop	02 also have a map In the first one dark blue represent (video calls i.e. 3G) and in the second map the purple represents HSDPA. Looks like that where there is 3G there is HSDPA although coverage is not as strong. The areas covered represent a large proportion of our population. I live in places with HSDPA coverage and on my first gen iPhone I very infrequently get EDGE coverage (about once a month). EDGE was and is a joke over here. Attached Images __________________ The red men: Paul William Carlile (19), Raymond Thomas Chapman (50), Gary Christopher Church (19), Joseph Clark (29), Paul Clark (18)

Jun 10, 2008, 10:14 PM	#21
PlaceofDis macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago.	this is the reason that the first one wasn't 3G, there really just isn't as much coverage sadly. __________________ dim my eyes on the waves of confessions... SpringWarmCold

Jun 10, 2008, 10:27 PM	#24
Mac Attack 360 macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2008	Does this mean you add $3o to your wireless plan? Or is it just $30 starting?

Jun 10, 2008, 10:37 PM	#25
stagi macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2006	Thats a bummer you have to pay the new price if you live in an area without 3g. __________________ -- Mark Check out our photography blog \| http://digitalphotobuzz.com Fine Art Wedding Photography Follow me on Twitter

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