AT&T has unveiled plans to upgrade its mobile
network to deliver considerably faster mobile broadband speeds and
so improve the quality of delivery of rich multimedia
applications.
The network upgrade to High Speed Packet Access
(
HSPA) 7.2 technology is to commence later in 2009 with
completion expected in 2011. The move is part of AT&T’s plan
for continued investments to maintain what it claims is
the current fastest 3G network in the US which it says has
already attracted more than twice the number of smartphone users
than any other competitor.
As its nomenclature suggests, the upgraded network platform
could allow for
theoretical peak speeds of 7.2 Mbps. 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. Initially, AT&T will introduce multiple HSPA
7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones.
The speed upgrade is one of several ongoing initiatives to
expand and enhance AT&T’s mobile broadband service. AT&T’s
strategy is to 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. The company plans to
begin LTE trials in 2010, with deployment beginning in 2011.
In addition to the planned speed upgrade, AT&T is to enrich
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.
AT&T will also add new cell site backhaul connections to
support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by HSPA 7.2 and
LTE.
“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.”