AT&T boosts 3G speeds by 20% ahead of 3G iPhone launch

[AppleInsider]

AT&T announced Wednesday a more than 20 percent increase to the typical download speeds across its 3G wireless network and a 50 percent increase to typical upload speeds.

The mobile operator and exclusive provider for Apple's iPhone in the US said the upgrades are results of recent network enhancements, including the deployment of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology across all existing 3G markets that is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Customers on the network should now achieved download speeds between 700 Kbps (kilobits per second) and 1.7 Mbps (megabits per second), up from 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps. Meanwhile, upload speeds should jump to the 500 Kbps - 1.2 Mbps range, up from 500 to 800 Kbps.

The announcement comes just days before Apple is expected to take the wraps off its next-generation iPhone handset which is widely expected to leverage 3G networks worldwide.

AT&T says its 3G mobile network is available in more than 275 major U.S. metropolitan areas, adding that later this month it will become the first U.S. carrier to have fully deployed High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology across its entire 3G network.

By year-end, the company plans to offer 3G service in nearly 350 major metropolitan U.S. areas.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[amac4me]

In my view, the timing of the announcement just ahead of WWDC demonstrates that iPhone 2.0 will be available the day of or soon after it is announced.

[merdhead]

Can someone explain to me how the previous upload speeds were 500-800K when HSDPA only supports an uplink of 384Kbps?

[pmoeser]

Yawn

Tired of waiting for the thing to be released

[petermac]

This evidence convinces me that Apple and AT&T have engineered the development, marketing, implementation etc, working to jointly agreed timetables. This has been in the planning for a long time. Apple gets newly available network capability, for their newly available iPhone model/s. It will maximize the new experience to be had. Sure, it will soon become the norm for competitors, but Apple gets to jump first with exquisite timing from AT&T with the best speeds on the best phone going.

It's going to be a great ride, the next 12-24 months, and I'm looking forward to it.

Pete

[grego33]

Originally Posted by amac4me

In my view, the timing of the announcement just ahead of WWDC demonstrates that iPhone 2.0 will be available the day of or soon after it is announced.

My current 3G phone (Samsung A737) displayed it's 3G icon for the first time on Monday morning. Prior to then it had always connected via EDGE. I hope it signifies the rumored 3G iPhone announcement. Certainly an interesting coincidence anyway. I live in the Greenville, SC area.

matt.

[GRB]

Originally Posted by amac4me

In my view, the timing of the announcement just ahead of WWDC demonstrates that iPhone 2.0 will be available the day of or soon after it is announced.

Definitely agree. AT&T/cingular didn't start upping their EDGE speeds until a week or two before the actual release (they didn't do it in January before the announcement)

[Hutcho]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Can someone explain to me how the previous upload speeds were 500-800K when HSDPA only supports an uplink of 384Kbps?

HSUPA provides uplink speeds of up to 5.76mbit/s. Here in Germany we already have 1.4mbit up, and 7.2mbit down.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Can someone explain to me how the previous upload speeds were 500-800K when HSDPA only supports an uplink of 384Kbps?

HSUPA?

Originally Posted by pmoeser

Yawn
Tired of waiting for the thing to be released

Then I suggest you stop clicking on links about the iPhone.

Originally Posted by petermac

Sure, it will soon become the norm for competitors, but Apple gets to jump first with exquisite timing from AT&T with the best speeds on the best phone going.

They really have outdone themselves in getting 3G speeds faster and more widespread.

But perhaps a little too fast...

• http://ifones.com/apple-iphone-sdk-w...lout-to-blame/

[MiMiC]

Originally Posted by Hutcho

HSUPA provides uplink speeds of up to 5.76mbit/s. Here in Germany we already have 1.4mbit up, and 7.2mbit down.

SWEET

[NOFEER]

perhaps the upload speed increase will help if there is video conferencing, when i used my macbook ichat gave me the option to choose a speed the slowest is 200kbs
as the weekend comes close i think there will be more substance to the "rumors" (oxymoron)

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by Hutcho

HSUPA provides uplink speeds of up to 5.76mbit/s. Here in Germany we already have 1.4mbit up, and 7.2mbit down.

Yes, I know what HSUPA is. The question is, if the network update involves rolling out HSUPA that implies that the previous speeds were HSDPA:

"The mobile operator and exclusive provider for Apple's iPhone in the US said the upgrades are results of recent network enhancements, including the deployment of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology across all existing 3G markets that is expected to be completed by the end of the month."

Or maybe its just badly written.

[Magic_Al]

I still hope AT&T gets smacked down for their willing cooperation with the Bush administration's unconstitutional surveillance programs. I've resisted getting an iPhone till now because I want nothing to do with any entity who thinks the Constitution doesn't apply in emergencies.

[Orangeoutsider]

Originally Posted by Magic_Al

I still hope AT&T gets smacked down for their willing cooperation with the Bush administration's unconstitutional surveillance programs. I've resisted getting an iPhone till now because I want nothing to do with any entity who thinks the Constitution doesn't apply in emergencies.

Have you got something to talk about on the phone that would make you a suspected terrorist?

There is no wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens. Give your lib paranoia a rest.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by Orangeoutsider

Have you got something to talk about on the phone that would make you a suspected terrorist?

There is no wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens. Give your lib paranoia a rest.

Yes, he's criticised Bush, that makes him a terrorist. And the Bush administration has already admitted to "wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens". It's not paranoia if it's a matter of public record.

[bobo28]

Interesting. On Monday I was told by an ATT regional manager that their average speeds for their network in our area ( Philadelphia, Pa) were 600 up & 800dn and no changes were expected until at least September. I specifically asked if the new iphone would be faster. He indicated he didn’t know, except to say that their network speeds wouldn’t improve until at least Sept. So who is telling me the truth ? I’m sure there is more to this than my simplistic questions reveal. Can someone enlighten me ?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by bobo28

Interesting. On Monday I was told by an ATT regional manager that their average speeds for their network in our area ( Philadelphia, Pa) were 600 up & 800dn and no changes were expected until at least September. I specifically asked if the new iphone would be faster. He indicated he didn’t know, except to say that their network speeds wouldn’t improve until at least Sept. So who is telling me the truth ? I’m sure there is more to this than my simplistic questions reveal. Can someone enlighten me ?

Both could be telling you the truth. While 600 up is quite high, especially considering the ratio to the down link it's not impossible. Also, he may be telling you what he himself last got, or what he was told or what he gets at that store location. Speeds vary from location to location.

Also, that part of Philly may not be slated for any speed increases or he may just not be privy to them.

One thing is for certain, the next iPhone, if 3G, will certainly be capable of much faster speeds than the 2.5G model.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Yes, he's criticised Bush, that makes him a terrorist. And the Bush administration has already admitted to "wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens". It's not paranoia if it's a matter of public record.

Yup - Magic_Al, you're busted. Anti Bush sentiments labels you as an unpatriotic (shudder) liberal (shudder shudder). As you clearly have something to hide (why else could you possibly object?) you are either a terrorist or conspiring to terrorize. OrangeOutsider has got you sussed.

[bobo28]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Yes, he's criticised Bush, that makes him a terrorist. And the Bush administration has already admitted to "wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens". It's not paranoia if it's a matter of public record.

Bush deserves the bashing. The truth is a matter of public record. ATT, Verizon, etc are responsible for their actions and need to come clean. By operation of law if necessary. Don’t forget these are the very companies who would take away your equal , uncensored access to this site and the entire net. Take a look : www.eff.org/
Now back to the iphone . . .

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by paxman

Yup - Magic_Al, you're busted. Anti Bush sentiments labels you as an unpatriotic (shudder) liberal (shudder shudder). As you clearly have something to hide (why else could you possibly object?) you are either a terrorist or conspiring to terrorize. OrangeOutsider has got you sussed.

OrangeOutsider is a narc with Homeland Security. America is at security threat level Orange (defined as "reason to believe that a perceived threat of terrorism will lead to political advantage"), thus the name. Give it up OrangeOutsider.

[bobo28]

Thank you . . . I plan to buy 5 of them , but so far there always seem to enough questions to make me wait. I guess this really is cutting edge stuff that will become whole over time ? Think I’ll just wait for the 3G and see how it goes . . . Again.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Both could be telling you the truth. While 600 up is quite high, especially considering the ratio to the down link it's not impossible. Also, he may be telling you what he himself last got, or what he was told or what he gets at that store location. Speeds vary from location to location.

Also, that part of Philly may not be slated for any speed increases or he may just not be privy to them.

One thing is for certain, the next iPhone, if 3G, will certainly be capable of much faster speeds than the 2.5G model.

We've received confirmation today that the new phone will be 3G (as if we needed it). Softbank will be doing the iPhone and it only uses 3G.

[Lafe]

Originally Posted by bobo28

Interesting. On Monday I was told by an ATT regional manager that their average speeds for their network in our area ( Philadelphia, Pa) were 600 up & 800dn and no changes were expected until at least September. I specifically asked if the new iphone would be faster. He indicated he didn’t know, except to say that their network speeds wouldn’t improve until at least Sept. So who is telling me the truth ? I’m sure there is more to this than my simplistic questions reveal. Can someone enlighten me ?

Speed improvements are in the towers, and in the phone. I live in an area where I could
buy the new iPhone, however, and it would be the same speed as any other phone - SLOW.

The manager is hedging his answers, because he's not sure which areas are being
upgraded when. "Until September" is his safe way of saying, "Improvements are
taking place in various areas at various times." That way he's not promising you anything.

Maybe you live in an improved service area and maybe you don't. I guess the only
way to know for sure would be to get or borrow a 3G iPhone and see for yourself.
(Or some other 3G phone, I suppose.)

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by bobo28

Bush deserves the bashing.

But not on these forums.

[Chris Cuilla]

Originally Posted by Magic_Al

I still hope AT&T gets smacked down for their willing cooperation with the Bush administration's unconstitutional surveillance programs.

If you think that AT&T is alone in this (as far as telecommunication companies go) you are extremely naive and/or blind. Every telecommunications company is required (by law) to provide the ability for the government to tap phone calls (in an undetectable way by the way).

You can blame AT&T. You can blame Bush. But then you would be "missing the forest for the trees".

The statement from Brill in the fun "Enemy of the State" that "The government's been in bed with the entire telecommunications industry since the forties. They've infected everything." is more true than most people realize.

[aaarrrgggh]

Not to be sacreligious or anything, but I fail to see how 700kbps or 1.5Mbps either qualifies as 3G or will make a marked improvement over existing end-to-end EDGE performance.

I do understand that it is useful in markets where EDGE isn't available (including much of Europe and Asia)... but it still seems like an under-performing technology that won't make a huge improvement to browsing speed (processor limited), and will actually introduce new issues (latency, battery life, etc.).

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Orangeoutsider

Have you got something to talk about on the phone that would make you a suspected terrorist?

There is no wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens. Give your lib paranoia a rest.

As others have noted, this isn't paranoia but rather a matter of public record. The Bush Administration has admitted to precisely that, wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens.

Edit: I would note "warrantless"

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by Chris Cuilla

If you think that AT&T is alone in this (as far as telecommunication companies go) you are extremely naive and/or blind. Every telecommunications company is required (by law) to provide the ability for the government to tap phone calls (in an undetectable way by the way).

You can blame AT&T. You can blame Bush. But then you would be "missing the forest for the trees".

The statement from Brill in the fun "Enemy of the State" that "The government's been in bed with the entire telecommunications industry since the forties. They've infected everything." is more true than most people realize.

Yes, if they have a warrant. What the Bush administration and AT&T did was bug wide swathes of phones without warrants.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Magic_Al

I still hope AT&T gets smacked down for their willing cooperation with the Bush administration's unconstitutional surveillance programs. I've resisted getting an iPhone till now because I want nothing to do with any entity who thinks the Constitution doesn't apply in emergencies.

Apparently, it doesn't: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...070509-12.html

National Security Presidential Directive 51, fun times.

[Chris Cuilla]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Yes, if they have a warrant.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Orangeoutsider

Have you got something to talk about on the phone that would make you a suspected terrorist?

Having nothing to hide doesn't mean it's their business to listen or track without a warrant.

There is no wholesale eavesdropping on private citizens. Give your lib paranoia a rest.

We don't know that as there isn't much by the way of checks and balances. It even turns out that the FBI has been doing a wholesale abuse of national security letters.

Even the weak FISA system was too much oversight for them, they've eventually admitted in bypassing that system at the same time the President said he was complying with the system.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

Not to be sacreligious or anything, but I fail to see how 700kbps or 1.5Mbps either qualifies as 3G or will make a marked improvement over existing end-to-end EDGE performance.

I do understand that it is useful in markets where EDGE isn't available (including much of Europe and Asia)... but it still seems like an under-performing technology that won't make a huge improvement to browsing speed (processor limited), and will actually introduce new issues (latency, battery life, etc.).

3G refers to the type of radio used (WCDMA) not speed. 3G has less latency that 2G (EDGE) and roughly 5 times the speed.

[bobo28]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

Not to be sacreligious or anything, but I fail to see how 700kbps or 1.5Mbps either qualifies as 3G or will make a marked improvement over existing end-to-end EDGE performance.

I do understand that it is useful in markets where EDGE isn't available (including much of Europe and Asia)... but it still seems like an under-performing technology that won't make a huge improvement to browsing speed (processor limited), and will actually introduce new issues (latency, battery life, etc.).

Oh gee, some of those issues that make you wonder if the new problems that come with the new tech are worse than the old ones . . .

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

Not to be sacreligious or anything, but I fail to see how 700kbps or 1.5Mbps either qualifies as 3G or will make a marked improvement over existing end-to-end EDGE performance.

I do understand that it is useful in markets where EDGE isn't available (including much of Europe and Asia)... but it still seems like an under-performing technology that won't make a huge improvement to browsing speed (processor limited), and will actually introduce new issues (latency, battery life, etc.).

It's 3G because you can't get those speeds without at least having a 3G network. It's not the maximum limit of what 3G networks are capable of, but it's certainly a whole lot better than EDGE is capable of.

[pixelnyc]

I check this blog multiple times daily, so this is hypocritical...but really, who cares about the iphone and network speeds? It's a phone. A phone that checks email and surfs the web. It's NOT changing the face of humanity. It's barely changed my day to day life...except maybe creating another tether to me and the work that I'd rather not be doing. The google map function has proven to be the most useful function. Maybe I'd be a little more excited if I didn't have to pay $100+ for decent headphones for the thing and didn't live with the fear that I might break it and have to shell out another $400 to replace it because now I'm used to having it.

Sorry, just babbling out-loud about my conflict of reality vs. necessity vs. what actually matters. When the new phone comes out I'll buy it and give my wife my current iPhone.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

Not to be sacreligious or anything, but I fail to see how 700kbps or 1.5Mbps either qualifies as 3G or will make a marked improvement over existing end-to-end EDGE performance.

Here is a nice presentation by AI poster Winterspan.

[smokeonit]

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

Apparently, it doesn't: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...070509-12.html

National Security Presidential Directive 51, fun times.

clicking on that link will get your ip, and your identity, logged and possible wiretapped!

[city]

Originally Posted by Magic_Al

I still hope AT&T gets smacked down for their willing cooperation with the Bush administration's unconstitutional surveillance programs. I've resisted getting an iPhone till now because I want nothing to do with any entity who thinks the Constitution doesn't apply in emergencies.

If your boycotting all the bad people, companies and countries of the world, you must also be walking around naked, have nothing and quite thin.

[Galley]

Originally Posted by grego33

My current 3G phone (Samsung A737) displayed it's 3G icon for the first time on Monday morning. Prior to then it had always connected via EDGE. I hope it signifies the rumored 3G iPhone announcement. Certainly an interesting coincidence anyway. I live in the Greenville, SC area.

matt.

That's great news! I thought Columbia was gonna be the only place in SC with 3G service for the time being.

[resnyc]

[see chart above]

So the iPhone 2.0 is actually 3.5G, not merely 3.0G???