AT&T Buys Aloha Wireless Spectrum

[MacRumors]

Apple's U.S. exclusive provider AT&T is continuing to expand its network with the acquisition of Aloha Partners' wireless spectrum.

The buy enhances AT&T's network by adding 12 MHz of spectrum covering 196 million people in 281 markets. The spectrum covers many major metropolitan areas, including 72 of the top 100 and all of the top 10 markets in the United States.

The deal should be finalized within six to nine months, pending necessary government approvals.

Article Link

 

[dvkid]

Woohoo!! Maybe now I can use my phone at my house!

 

[tkidBOSTON]

The transaction enhances AT&T's spectrum position by adding 12 MHz of spectrum covering 196 million people in 281 markets. The spectrum covers many major metropolitan areas, including 72 of the top 100 and all of the top 10 markets in the United States.

Anyone have any idea what markets these refer to?

... More specifically, is Boston one of the markets covered?

 

[BKKbill]

All sounds good for the iPhone. 196 million people is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[plumbingandtech]

Good News.

Sounds like many many people will be helped by this.

 

[shadowfax]

yeah, what is this? 700MHz? Isn't GSM 800/900/1800/1900 MHz?

 

[bob122989]

Woohoo!! Maybe now I can use my phone at my house!

I second that hope!

 

[Telp]

this is great news. How do I find out if this affects me?

 

[DamnDJ]

I guess I am unsure how this effects the customer base. Is this for calls only? Improved Edge network speeds?

 

[HyperX]

This doesn't affect the Iphone or you

At least not yet. This is 700 MHZ TV spectrum in the UHF range *channels 54 and 59 I think* You Iphone uses GSM which is in the 900/1800 ranges. So this doesnt affect you since to work on the Iphone it would need a New Hardware radio to get those signals. No software will change that.

Sorry everyone who go their hopes up. The Good News is this range is very good for Data and when used with a new generation of Iphone *if they do that and I bet they will* can allow speeds in Excess of anything 3 or 3.5g

 

[Ted13]

At least not yet. This is 700 MHZ TV spectrum in the UHF range *channels 54 and 59 I think* You Iphone uses GSM which is in the 900/1800 ranges. So this doesnt affect you since to work on the Iphone it would need a New Hardware radio to get those signals. No software will change that.

Sorry everyone who go their hopes up. The Good News is this range is very good for Data and when used with a new generation of Iphone *if they do that and I bet they will* can allow speeds in Excess of anything 3 or 3.5g

According to the iPhone tech spec page:

GSM
Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

So the above post is correct -- this does nothing for current iPhones.

 

[DamnDJ]

Thanks for the information, guys.

 

[iSee]

Here's a link to Aloha Partner's license map:

http://www.alohapartners.net/images/Aloha_Content/700 MHz Licencees Map 11-1-05.pdf

They are the red regions. I don't know if they have any actual infrastructure or whether these are just rights.

 

[kyrow123]

This all sounds nice, but the fact is that this does not seem to affect any of us who have bought the 1st gen iPhone. Am I correct in assuming this?

 

[tkidBOSTON]

yeah, what is this? 700MHz? Isn't GSM 800/900/1800/1900 MHz?

Ahh, right. Shame though, their coverage of NH (where ATT is terrible) looks pretty amazing.