AT&T has recently announced its plans for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology, the next generation of 3G, which will double the data download speed from 3.6Mps to 7.2Mbps. The technology will be first deployed in six cites by the end of 2009.
According to AT&T, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami will be the first six cities to take advantage of the speed boost. The carrier said its HSPA 7.2 would reach about 90 percent of its existing 3G network coverage by the end of 2011. The network upgrade will support a theoretical maximum download speed of 7.2 megabits per second, but actual speeds experienced by customers will be less.
Currently, the iPhone 3GS is the only AT&T’s smartphone that is compatible with HSPA 7.2, meaning owners of the original iPhone or the iPhone 3G will not feel the difference in speed. However, the carrier promised to bring other devices, which will be benefited by the technology later this year, including five new HSPA 7.2-ready smartphones and two new LaptopConnect cards that serve as USB dongles for getting laptops online.
Along with HSPA 7.2, AT&T also has other enhancement plans, which include upgrading its backhaul capacity, adding 2,000 new cell phone towers and rolling out the 850-MHz 3G spectrum. All told, the carrier is investing $17 to $18 billion in total in its network this year to improve calling quality, data speed and overall coverage.
Other than AT&T, other carriers have also been working on network improvement to prepare for launching the next-generation 4G networks. T-Mobile USA said its HSPA+ 3G speeds would boost significantly and reach the 21Mbps range at some points in 2010, overtaking AT&T’s expected 7.2Mbps. Verizon Wireless, on the other hand, is also planning to introduce a new technology to offer average speeds of 12Mbps.
With all these network enhancements going on, US wireless customers who are unsatisfied with their carriers can expect better mobile performance in the coming years.
Tags: AT&T Cell Phone Accessories, Apple iPhone 3G S Accessories, Apple iPhone 3G Accessories, Apple iPhone Accessories, Verizon Wireless Accessories, Sprint Cell Phone Accessories
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