AT&T Boosts Cell Data Speeds
AT&T tries to steal some of Verizon and Sprint's thunder with somewhat faster downstream and much faster upstream rates on its newly updated 3G cell data network.
Glenn Fleishman
There's a close competition among America's three 3G (third-generation) cellular operators, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. The three companies all vie to have the fastest, most extensive networks, because they're appealing to business travelers. Until yesterday, the three carriers each claimed downstream rates of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps and upstream rates of 500 to 800 Kbps as an average range that normal users would experience in any covered area. Sustained downloads can peak over 2 Mpbs.
AT&T today said that they've tweaked their network to hit 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps down and 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps up. AT&T's network uses the GSM evolution standard HSPA (High Speed Packet Access). AT&T's original HSPA networked was labeled HSDPA, with the D for Downlink. They're finishing up the HSUPA (U for Uplink) upgrade this month in their 275 covered markets, and have apparently tweaked both D and U in the process.
To use these data rates, customers have to have HSUPA capable gear, which includes four LaptopConnect adapters currently sold by AT&T in USB, PC Card, and ExpressCard form factors. When purchased online and after sending in a mail-in rebate, these cards net out at $0 or $50 with a two-year service contract. Monthly service is $60 with a 2-year commitment and has a 5 GB up and down data cap after which excess charges may be applied.
AT&T says they'll hit the 350 top metro markets by year's end. Sprint and Verizon already cover those markets, so have an advantage in overall coverage, but it's really the smaller of the large metro areas that are in play; all the metropolises are already 3G'd.
With HP wireless printers, you could have printed this from any room in the house. Live wirelessly. Print wirelessly.
Turn Data into Dollars
Laptop Showcase
Tags at a Glance
Related Wireless Articles
- How to Stream Media around Your Home Here's the play-by-play on setting up a free media-streaming network with either Windows Media Player or Apple iTunes.
- Sprint's 4G Xohm WiMax: How Fast Is It? In our hands-on tests, the new Xohm network was fast and smooth -- but for now, you have to be in Baltimore.
- Huawei Shelves Plan to Sell Stake in Wireless Device Unit China-based networking equipment maker Huawei indefinitely postponed the sale of a stake in its terminals manufacturing unit...
- Remote Workers Care About IT Security -- Really A new survey finds that mobile users actually do make sure to use secure Internet and Wi-Fi connections, they love IT for helping keep them on the go, and they'd rather live without their car than Internet connectivity.
- WiMax Boosters See Opportunity in the Air Members of the WiMax Forum look to grab "a big chunk" of the wireless Internet access market.
Best Prices on Wireless Routers
WRT54G Wireless RouterPrice: $39.95
WGR614 Wireless RouterPrice: $19.99
DI-655 Xtreme N Gigabit RouterPrice: $92.99
N1 Vision Wireless RouterPrice: $119.99
WRT160N Wireless RouterPrice: $59.96
WRT54G2 Wireless RouterPrice: $39.96
- CDW Security Center Is your data protected? Visit the CDW Security Center Learn where you may be vulnerable and how to address those risks.
- Asus Laptop Showcase Ultra-fashionable thin and light notebooks with SmartLogon Face Recognition. Find out more...
- HP Ink Center Bring improved color and brilliance to your printed material. Visit the Resource Center for more info...








"AT&T Boosts Cell Data Speeds" Comments