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AT&T Migrating 3G Network to 7.2 Mbps, Planning for 21 Mbps Later This Year?

Upgrade=bigger pipe=better service in crowded areas?

I didn't see it in the article, does this upgrade need a hardware upgrade or do the current cell towers just need some sort of software upgrade to get the update?
 
I don't know if this has already been said, but for me it seems pointless for them to up there network speed when they put so many restrictions on what you can/cannot do over thier network. Whats the point of having these wonderful speeds when all the nice app's that require bandwidth get denied? Seems like if your just browsing webpages, the current speeds are fine.
 
So in the UK we'll still have crappy internet speeds with the iPhone, only USA gets the upgrades :(
 
A speed bump would be most welcome but so would better service thru-out the system.
 
screw the speed upgrades.. They should be spending all their resources on expanding their 3G network and improving coverage in existing 3G areas... Verizon still blows them away in suburban and rural areas, particularly in the west.
 
Unspoken Demise said:
This better affect the iPhone 3g. I know its a network, but it seems from the article that the new Summer iPhone is the only one that can take advantage of it. I would gladly pay 5-10$ more a month for better signal strength/ speed on my 3g.
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I would prepare to be disappointed. Indications seem to point to the next generation of iPhone. I lament with you, since I just bought my iPhone a couple months ago!

Now what would be nice is if Apple or AT&T offered some sort of recall-upgrade for current iPhone owners to allow us to purchase a chipset/logic board or whatever upgrade to take advantage of 4G technology. Drop off the phone, get it refitted, and come back a week or so later with $150 or so for the trouble. I'd pay for that type of upgrade. Who wouldn't?

:apple:
 
swingerofbirch said:
but I mean, do you think they will try to mainstream it and position themselves as an ISP?
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I would hope not... they have already proven that they choke as soon as a few thousand people get together and do some light browsing with iPhones. Imagine if the people actually did something productive, how much could they support a dozen? And chances are for "21Mbps" which IRL will be more like 10 if you find a 7 leaf clover on a good day, they'll be charging 150 per month MINIMUM.
 
Is it true that this is merely a software upgrade at it's existing locations so the area of coverage (or not) stays basically the same?
 
Boomhowler said:
It should be 3.6Mbit in DL.

Btw we are getting 21Mbit in Sweden (all major cities, the "3" network) and the LTE planning and ordering has already started by Tele2, Telenor and TeliaSonera.
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Jag är svensk, so this isn't a dig at you, but it's easier when Sweden only has a handful of major cities.....the state I live in Virginia--has almost the same population as Sweden...again not a dig....Sweden has amazing innovation especially considering innovation per capita.
 
swingerofbirch said:
If they get up to 21 Mbps do you think they will start to offer that as a plan for people's personal computers? I know you already can with a built in 3G card or dongle, but I mean, do you think they will try to mainstream it and position themselves as an ISP? The only problem being cell reception is always worse indoors...21 Mbps is faster than what you can get from either the DSL or cable company in my area.
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AT&T is already a pretty big ISP. I don't know about their other biz, but they have a lot of former BellSouth customers on their roster. AT&T is also advertising a netbook for $49 with a two-year agreement on wireless Internet service (I think it's $60/month).

I just hope AT&T is ready for this. Theoretical speed is nice, but you've gotta have a big tube, Sen. Stevens, to handle all the users that will jump on at any given point.
 
iPhoneNYC said:
Is it true that this is merely a software upgrade at it's existing locations so the area of coverage (or not) stays basically the same?
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Yes. So if you currently only have EDGE service you wont see this till AT&T deploys 3G to your area.

Areas that have 3G will see this as soon as AT&T decides to do the upgrade for the area and you have a device that supports it.
 
7.2Mbps would be nice especially for tethering and playing video streams. Depends on how fast that will roll-out to all coverage areas though.
 
I wish they would work on capacity issues for their current network first. In western Oregon (you wouldn't think capacity would be a problem here), I struggle to get above 750 kbps on 3G. That's with a K! I frequently have to switch off 3G because it gets so slow that EDGE is faster. Somehow, I doubt I'll be seeing any benefits from this change.
 
alm99 said:
I second this, their 3G network is garbage compared to Verizon Wireless.
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If you read the original article they aren't just upgrading, it's part of a larger infrastructure upgrade and expansion. The network will gain strength and increase in size with this update.
 
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