AT&T boosts 3G speeds by 20% ahead of 3G iPhone launch
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.
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.
Comments
Tired of waiting for the thing to be released
It's going to be a great ride, the next 12-24 months, and I'm looking forward to it.
Pete
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.
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)
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.
Can someone explain to me how the previous upload speeds were 500-800K when HSDPA only supports an uplink of 384Kbps?
HSUPA?
Yawn
Tired of waiting for the thing to be released
Then I suggest you stop clicking on links about the iPhone.
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...
HSUPA provides uplink speeds of up to 5.76mbit/s. Here in Germany we already have 1.4mbit up, and 7.2mbit down.
SWEET
as the weekend comes close i think there will be more substance to the "rumors" (oxymoron)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 . . .
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.