AT&T “doubling” 3G network in anticipation of iPhone 3G data demands

If there’s one thing that AT&T (NYSE: T) learned from last year’s EDGE network-overload, it’s that mobs and hoards of over-eager iPhone owners are apt to overload the No. 1 US wireless carrier’s data network. So, on the eve of the US iPhone 3G launch, AT&T has announced that it is “doubling” the capacity of their 3G network.

With their HSPA network upgraded and ready to serve up wireless data on both the HSDPA and HSUPA side of the data network, AT&T is looking to have approximately half of all their cell sites upgraded to handle more 3G data throughput by year’s end. The announcement comes just ahead of the July 11 launch date for the US iPhone 3G, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll have additional capacity on launch day. At least not in smaller markets.

With 300 markets covered by their 3G network, AT&T is looking to expand coverage to almost 350 markets by next year.

Here’s to hoping that major metropolitan markets get the 3G network upgrades sooner than later. We have a feeling that iPhone 3G users in big cities are going to be testing the limits of their new high-speed HSPA connections.

[Via: iPhoneAtlas]