AT&T steps up 850MHz spectrum upgrade for enhanced 3G
(Credit:
AT&T)
AT&T has taken a lot of flack from iPhone users about the trouble its network has handling the iPhone's data-heavy needs. AT&T's network has been blamed repeatedly for poor call quality and dropped calls as well as for a rash of iTunes App Store rejections that included apps like Qik (where live streaming was a no-show) and Slingplayer (which isn't allowed to sling anything over 3G).
Now, AT&T has stepped up its activation of its 850MHz spectrum service, which should improve 3G coverage in metropolitan areas. AT&T expects the project to be completed over the course of a year, and Mobiledia has reported that AT&T has started the much-anticipated upgrade in Atlanta this week. (A visit to AT&T's corporate Web site confirms the Atlanta upgrade and previous improvements over the summer in Fresno, Calif., Las Vegas, San Diego, and Stockton, Calif., but the site does not mention its time line for 850MHz network upgrades in other urban areas.)
Atlanta's AT&T customers will be served by the addition of 540 cell sites that will increase network capacity and coverage, resulting in "improved quality and in-building coverage." These new cell sites will operate alongside the old, 1,900MHz spectrum cell sites.
Keith Holmes, AT&T's vice president and general manager, said "We're enhancing our network every day to help customers do more with and get more from their wireless connections."
TechCrunch has also reported AT&T service improvements in the SoMa district of San Francisco.
The activation of the enhanced network is good news, but is it to little too late or even enough? Have you seen improved AT&T service in your area? Let us know in the comments.
"Whats about Okiehoma City???"
And while Verizon and Sprint are busily rolling out their fourth generation lines AT&T is desperately trying to shore up it's 3G lines. Just down right pathetic but I think the market will begin to speak for itself. I know I will not be extending my contract with AT&T no matter if they are the exclusive carrier of the iPhone or not. The iPhone is a great device but as a phone, thanks to AT&T, it is subpar AT BEST. I would gladly give away my iPhone if it meant I could end my AT&T contract tomorrow. I'd go over to Sprint or T-Mobile and hook my iPhone right back up.
However, my brother has Verizon and he doesn't see to experience any better or worse luck with his service. Thereare certain areas where I get better coverage and vice versa. Although one thing I can say is that my iPhone 3GS is way cooler than his Blackberry. :)
AT&T has improved from Cingular but, not by much.
The business customer service line is finally competent but, a solid and reliable business shouldn't need much customer service.
AT&T can advertise and announce improvements all they want but, I don't see AT&T matching Verizon coverage/performance anytime soon.
A dual mode (global) Verizon iPhone would make me switch back.
For now I deal with Edge crap while paying $10 for 3G I seldom get to use.
Just in case you are not aware of it, the new AT&T is still Cingular. They just switched their name when their parent company purchased AT&T including the right to use the AT&T brand. That is why they still suck!
You can keep Verizon and their crippling stranglehold over their phones - they make Apple's approval process for Apps look like the best thing in the world!
It's like being given access to a formula 1 track and told to go crazy on your moped....
My point is that a network might be fast now, but if a high data usage device, like the iPhone 3G, comes out, you will notice your speeds dropping rapidly as the popularity increases. Now that Blackberry has finally come out with 3G devices in the past year, I would be curious to see how data speeds have changed, if at all, since their deployment. How has Sprint's network performance changed since the Pre was released?
Having additional spectrums for 3G is great, but will the towers be able to support the demand for high data use?
Of course, all the negativity towards AT&T must come from somewhere, so I do believe that people are having serious issues. I also think that a lot of these people simply talk on their phone too much (or have the 1st Gen iPhone). Like the guy who said he can't drive 30 miles across Dallas without his iPhone dropping calls 3 times? I mean c'mon you nut - 30 miles on the phone while your driving? I hope you hit a telephone pole - the irony would kill me (and you).
Why did I switch and why did I switch now? Aside from desperately needing a phone with email capabilities to help run my business, I figured that signing a 2-year contract now will allow me to do the following:
Assuming Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile somehow get the iPhone or a different Apple phone device in the next year, people will leave AT&T and AT&T's service will likely either get a boost from less usage or the company will makes significant upgrades to try and keep customers. I can then wait one more year to see if in fact this new iPhone on another service is actually much better and switch back when my contract is up - or if AT&T makes improvements I'll just stay. In addition, if VZW gets the iPhone and it is actually much better than AT&T's iPhone to the point that I want to switch back right away, I'll sell my iPhone 3GS to help pay for the buyout on my remaining months with AT&T and then go back to VZW. Don't let the cell phone companies control you ? do what you want and quit stressing out, everybody.
And sure AT&T doesn't have all the towers they needs, but they are working as fast as they can.(And NO I don't work for AT&T)
Read your comments about AT&T. Consider yourself lucky. I am a field engineer for a telecom company that actually "tests" carrier's cell sites for 911 operability, accuracy and compliance. My job is to actually canvass and cover all areas of any market I test, be it rural or urban/suburban. Let me tell you, these folks are not bashing AT&T unjustly! You say you've been all over the nation, but I'd be willing to bet that my comprehensive coverage of the nation is more extensive than most.
When we test a market (which usually comprises multiple counties, and in some cases, states) we literally cover from the back of your house to the buildings of downtown. AT&T has one of the worst coverages and reliable networks of any of the major carriers. So much so, that our testing partners (another engineering company) required my company to change our mobile phones to Verizon or come up with a suitable solution (our business mobiles are AT&T)! At times our phones wouldn't even switch to extended carriers or extended networks and would just drop. I've been in downtown cities with no signal while our verizon testing phones would hum right along. I've been in rural areas, literally yards from a tower and our phones would drop the call or take several minutes to switch to the extended network before being usable, hence the ultimatum from our engineering partner. Keep in mind that testing carrier's networks (for 911) is what we do. Our company has since made arrangements to use our personal phones provided they are Verizon. I've experienced this poor reliability with AT&T for the past 3 1/2 years working this position. Consider yourself lucky. These are not trumped up accusations.
You can consider this the cat's meow for any out there who thinks AT&T is as good as their commercials!!! They ARE NOT! But, in a big twist of irony, I have just moved to AT&T (reluctantly, I might add) due to the ultra-compelling iPhone. In my opinion, it is the MOST technological device on this planet. The 3GS being my first ever iphone, I'm still in awe of the device. It is the closest thing to Star Trek's Tricorder that there is.
-
by friscoG
August 20, 2009 1:29 PM PDT
- I don't understand how AT&T could have poor coverage in major markets like the SF Bay Area and Chicago. The largest markets should have decent service. I can understand service not being as great in rural areas, but major cities......wow.
-
Like this
Reply to this comment
-
-
-
by ChicagoSteven
August 21, 2009 12:18 PM PDT
- Don't listen to the trolls. I live in Chicago and my service is great. I have had AT&T service and I can only remember dropping a call once. When I was on 2G, my connection was as expected and now that I am on 3G, the connection is as expected - EXCELLENT!
-
Like this
-
Showing 1 of 4 pages (104 Comments)Not sure what type of phones these other people are using or whether they live in metal houses. No service provider is perfect, so I say that if your service is truly that bad with any one service provider, then stop complaining and jump ship. Find out who provides the best service in your area by speaking with family and friends and then go to that service provider.