AT&T  is investing $17 billion to $18 billion to speed up its wireless 3G network . The Texas-based carrier also said Wednesday that it will upgrade its 3G network starting this year and finishing in 2011.
HSPA 7.2 technology will be added to the network for a better user experience. Since offering 3G service in 350 U.S. metropolitan areas, AT&T has added more than twice the number of smartphone users as its competitors. The increased demand has resulted in complaints for the exclusive provider of Apple iPhone service in the U.S.
Later this year, AT&T plans to boost the speed of its broadband network and offer additional devices, including HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones. AT&T said it began certifying 7.2-Mbps devices on its two test networks last month.
Necessary Changes
AT&T and its competitors also plan to begin Long-Term Evolution (LTE) next year. LTE is the expected successor to UMTS 3G technology and is expected to provide faster data rates for both downloading and uploading. AT&T said it will use its 700-MHz and advanced wireless spectrum to launch LTE.
AT&T's upgrades are necessary as both the carrier and Apple have been under fire for misleading consumers about the iPhone network. Both have been sued for delivering data to the iPhone at slower speeds than promised in their marketing.
Lawsuits against the companies have been brought in Florida; San Jose and San Diego in California; and Alabama.
Along with the increase in speed, AT&T said it also plans to double the wireless spectrum focused on 3G in most metropolitan areas for more network capacity. The carrier is also adding thousands of new cellular connections to support the higher broadband speeds of HSPA 7.2 and LTE.
"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 of 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."
On the Agenda
AT&T says it has a busy agenda this year.
The company plans to almost double radio frequency capacity. To date, the high-quality 850-MHz spectrum has been used on more than half of its 3G network, according to the company. AT&T is also adding fiber-optic connectivity and more capacity to cellular sites this year. It also plans to add 2,100 new cell cites across the nation.
Making the switch from 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity will be easy, according to the company. Customers with smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans will have access to more than 20,000 hot spots.
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