AT&T 3G network going 850Mhz nationwide by 2010!
By Will Park on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 1:19 PM PST In AT&T, Announcements
AT&T (NYSE: T)’s 3G network is going to keep getting better, according to AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega. In an interview with Engadget, de la Vega outlines his company’s plans to bring improved 3G coverage and performance in key US markets. By migrating 3G data services off the higher frequency 1900Mhz band, used to ferry data in some major US cities, and onto the 850Mhz swatch of spectrum, AT&T can offer their best network on a frequency with better range and reliability. And it’s all going to happen in Big Cities, USA (like San Francisco and New York) by the end of 2009.
The news that AT&T is aiming to complete their 3G network migration to the more capable 850Mhz GSM ban came straight from de la Vega, so it’s a fairly reliable goal-line to look towards. Unfortunately for folks with 2G-limited (EDGE) devices, AT&T’s decision to co-opt the higher-frequency band for 3G services will means that 2G services will now rely on the more finicky and shorter-range 1900Mhz band. In fact, you may have already started noticing a drop in 2G performance in your area. Still, the push to migrate 3G services to the 850Mhz band highlights AT&T’s ongoing effort to improve their 3G network.
While the rest of the world is already looking towards HSPA and HSPA+ wireless networks that are capable of delivering blistering wireless data speeds of 20Mbps+, the US is once again concentrating on catching up with ubiquitous 3G service. At least de la Vega has confirmed HSPA+ to help bridge the gap to LTE over the next year and a half, or so. Awesome…?
[Via: Engadget]
What are they going to use the 1900MHz band for?
I believe the 1900Mhz band will be the new home for 2G services. Basically, AT&T is using the more valuable 850Mhz band for more valuable 3G service, and leaving the 1900Mhz leftovers for the 2G network.
Actually, the 850 band is big enough for both GSM and UMTS. The removal of the TDMA and analog network helped clear way for UMTS.
Great for me! My Sony Xperia X1 will finally have 3G nationwide well in the areas that ATT has 3G. Right now I only get 3G in the larger cities as my phone is the european version. Although this may be a problem fir some I say buy the unlocked phones pay a little more and get the phone you want. Don’t wait 2 years for the companies to bring you outdated tech and say you are getting a good deal with that 2 year commitment.
actually, it will NOT help the euro experia x1 when they is finalized as the only US band that the euro experia x1 supports in the US is the 1900 band. It does NOT have the 850 band which is what at&t will be going to.
See this link and go to the bottom. This is the EURO experia spec sheet.
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=23947&view=3
[...] AT&T’s, T-Mobile’s, or both? AT&T’s 3G bands are 850 and 1900 MHz (though ATT is migrating towards the former). By contrast, T-Mobile’s are 1700 and 2100 [...]