AT&T upgrading 3G network for faster speeds

June 2, 2009

AT&T plans to upgrade its 3G network to deliver faster mobile broadband speeds, with network upgrades beginning later this year, with completion expected in 2011, the company said.

The company said it is upgrading the network to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology, which the company claims will help deliver the fastest speeds of any 3G network.

In combination with its faster 3G mobile broadband, AT&T's variety of smartphones, including the iPhone, has helped the company attract more mobile internet users than any other network, the company said.

Currently, the company's mobile broadband network is carried on 3G UMTS technology. Industry observers expect the next generation of mobile broadband - 4G LTE networks - by 2011-2012. 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.

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