“Switching more spectrum to the 3G network lets AT&T carry more calls and transfer more data. The ‘3G on 850’ upgrade is designed to improve voice and data call quality in areas where AT&T’s network was overloaded with heavy users (mostly on iPhones) or where higher-frequency 1,900-MHz radio waves have trouble penetrating buildings. In New York, San Francisco and many other places, AT&T owns a large 25 MHz chunk of valuable 850-MHz spectrum,” Segan reports.
AT&T is also “upgrading its 3G network to a faster version called HSDPA 7.2 that should provide higher data speeds. That upgrade will start at the end of this year and run through 2011,” Segan reports. “Currently, the iPhone 3GS is the only AT&T phone that supports HSDPA 7.2.”
Full article here.
I’ll keep saying it: How about MMS? I’d really like to join my friends in the year 2005.
Now they need to rollout 3G to the rest of the country!
How about ATT get 3G service where there is none? Like, 85% of the country?Not all iPhone users live in a major metropolitan area.
I can understand New York City. My parents live work there and there service is spotty at best some times. I agree on rolling out 3G to the rest of the country. I am at college, in virginia, and all I get is edge. There is no 3G at all and it is frustrating.
welfaremike,
Unfortunately, America is an unique land where 85% of its population lives in cities of 100,000 people and more. With a few exceptions, vast majority of those cities (about 270 is the total number) have proper AT&T coverage.
The remaining 15% of the population (living in the remaining 85% of the country) may or may not be on AT&T’s to-do list.
Perhaps moving closer to an AT&T might be an option…?
Interesting. I was in NYC for a week (conference) and noticed the service improving every day I was there. Maybe they rolled out the better service because I was there and I’m special!
Quit yer bitchin’!
Don’t like it, don’t buy it! You’re just enabling them.
Christ, it’s not rocket science. Companies respond to profit and loss, not whiny comments on some backwater Mac news aggregator.
I moved to Yuma,Az and guess what no 3g and I ripped up my contract
You keep paper copies of your cell phone contracts?
big whoopie.
The real question to ask isn’t ‘when’ will ATT exclusivity end, but will your favored provider have ‘HSDPA 7.2’ ? I figure the same people who bitch about the exclusivity, will be the same people who bitch that their provider isn’t up to speed in the form of blaming Apple. Here’s a tip – get a real provider like ATT instead of Joe’s Fish Bait & Cell Phones Inc.
Twice now at Phillies games in South Philly….no 3G. I guess overloaded. Gal next to me on Verizon — No problem!!
Still sucks in San Fran. WTF??
@Van vaals
Because it’s currently in progress as stated in the article? Duh!