AT&T is planning to upgrade their 3G
network to deliver faster mobile broadband speeds. The
network upgrades are slated to begin later this year, with completion
expected in 2011.
They will upgrade to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology. The upgraded network platform could allow for theoretical peak
speeds of 7.2Mbps
AT&T plans to begin LTE trials in 2010, with deployment beginning
in 2011.
In addition to the planned speed upgrade, AT&T is enhancing its
mobile broadband coverage by nearly doubling the wireless spectrum
dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger
in-building reception and more overall network capacity.
Also,
AT&T is adding thousands of new cell site backhaul connections to
support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by HSPA 7.2 and LTE.
With its network built on the 3G UMTS technology that is commonly
deployed throughout the world, AT&T can boost the speed of its
mobile broadband network and offer a wide variety of devices to take
advantage of it well in advance of 2011-2012, when most industry
observers expect 4G LTE networks and device availability to scale.
"AT&T's network infrastructure gives us a tremendous advantage
in that we're able to deliver upgrades in mobile broadband speed and
performance with our existing technology platform," said Ralph de la
Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "With
the array of smartphones, laptops and emerging devices taking advantage
of AT&T's 3G network today, we know that customers are excited to
experience higher mobile broadband speeds, and we are deploying the
right technologies at the right times to help them get the most from
that experience."
The upgraded network platform could allow for theoretical peak
speeds of 7.2Mbps. Typical real-world downlink and uplink speeds
experienced by customers with upgraded 3G will be less than the
theoretical peak and will vary based on a number of factors, including
location, device, and overall traffic on the local network at a given
time.
AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is now available in nearly
350 U.S. major metropolitan areas, with about 20 additional metro areas
planned for deployment in 2009. The HSPA 7.2 technology will be
deployed widely in the network, with the benefits of the network
upgrade to be announced on a local basis as the faster speeds are
turned up. AT&T will introduce multiple HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop
cards and smartphones beginning later this year.
The speed upgrade is one of several ongoing initiatives to expand
and enhance AT&T's mobile broadband service. Other key projects in
2009 include:
- Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity. In 2008
and 2009 to date, high-quality 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed in
more than half of AT&T's 3G network footprint to improve overall
coverage and in-building reception, with additional markets planned for
later in the year. - More Bandwidth to Cell Sites. We are adding
fiber-optic connectivity and additional capacity to thousands of cell
sites across the country this year, expanding the critical connections
that deliver traffic from a cell site into the global IP backbone
network. These upgrades will support the higher mobile broadband speeds
enabled by both HSPA 7.2 and LTE. - More Cell Sites. Deployment of about 2,100 new cell sites across the country.
- Wi-Fi Integration. Many AT&T smartphones
will be able to switch seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity.
AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect
plans have access to the nation's largest Wi-Fi network - more than
20,000 hotspots, including locations in all 50 states - at no
additional charge. AT&T's global Wi-Fi footprint covers more than
90,000 hotspots, and AT&T also can create permanent or temporary
extended Wi-Fi zones in areas with high 3G network use, like a grouping
of hotels or a festival. - MicroCells. Customer trials leading toward
general availability of AT&T 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize
femtocells to enhance in-building wireless coverage.
Capital investment for these projects fits within AT&T's
previously outlined expectation of total capital expenditures for 2009,
targeted toward the $17 billion to $18 billion range. AT&T matches
this network investment with unsurpassed choice in the range of
devices, services and applications compatible with its 3G network.
AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen
manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six
different operating systems and five different e-mail applications.
Our Media Mall 2.0 offers more than 90,000 content options, and
customers can download additional applications over the Internet.
Additionally, AT&T supports a community of more than 20,000
application developers via its devCentral portal.
HSPA 7.2 is part of the 3rd Generation Partnership
Project (3GPP) family of technologies, which include GSM and UMTS.
Emerging LTE technology is also part of the 3GPP technology roadmap,
enabling AT&T's network to offer backward compatibility, or the
ability for users with qualifying devices to seamlessly switch among 4G
LTE, 3G and 2G service areas to maintain the fastest-available
connection. This availability will be critical for customers in the
early years of LTE deployment across the industry, when access to LTE
service will be geographically limited.