Recently in 3G Category

AT&T is now offfering the Quickfire, the final of four new quick messaging mobile phones designed to make messaging faster for textaholics.

The Quickfire is slider phone with a1.3 megapixel camera and full QWERTY keypad, 3G world access and with fast downloaded music via Napster. Quickfire also features AT&T Navigator, which provides turn-by-turn directions and is available with a 30-day free trial

All quick messaging phones are compatible with AT&T's messaging plans that offer 200, 1,500 and unlimited messaging for $5, $15 and $20, respectively. AT&T FamilyTalk plan customers can get unlimited messaging for all lines for $30.

The AT&T Quickfire, which comes in orange, lime and silver, is available through AT&T retail locations or at http://www.att.com/wireless for $99.99 after a two-year agreement and mail-in rebate.

Reviews have been positive and Wirefly is offering it for free to new AT&T customers.

Cox Communications announced its plan to add wireless offerings to its bundle of digital cable, high-speed Internet and telephone in 2009. Today, more than 64% of Cox customers buy multiple services from Cox and one-third subscribe to all three products.

Cox will use the Nationwide Sprint Network to quickly enter the market in 2009. At the same time, Cox is concurrently building its own 3G wireless network for additional market launches in 2009. Cox will also test 4G technology utilizing LTE (long term evolution). Earlier this year, Cox joined CTIA (the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry), the Rural Cellular Association and CDMA Development Group (CDG).

T-Mobile USA, Inc. continues to expand its third-generation (3G) wireless broadband service, and launch 3G service in and around the Washington, D.C., area in late November. At that time, the number of locations with T-Mobile's 3G coverage will amount to more than 120 major cities across the top population centers nationwide.

This week, T-Mobile 3G coverage launched in the Sacramento, Calif., area bringing the number of major cities currently served with 3G coverage to 92. Next week, communities in and around Memphis, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla., will be the latest to reap the benefits of wireless broadband service from T-Mobile.

Next week they launch the G1 Android phone.

According to several sources, T-Mobile has changed their data caps for the G1 Android phone:

""We removed the 1GB soft limit from our policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network," said company spokesperson Amanda Ginther. "The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with all customers."

The company still reserves the right to "temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of our customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage that interferes with our network performance."

The cap was getting a lot of negative press.  What good is unlimited web without unlimited megabytes?

T-Mobile is capping UMTS network use at 1 Gigabyte. When you read the fine print ad the bottom of the G1 3G description pages  it states:

"If your total data usage in any billing cycle is more than 1GB, your data throughput for the remainder of that cycle may be reduced to 50 kbps or less. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users.

Some devices require specific data plans; if you do not have the right plan for your device, you may not be able to use data services. Some downloads, such as movies, music, and games, not included. Domestic use only. "

Once you are demoted to 50 kbps that means you are off 3G speeds.

T-Mobile G1 $25 data plan offers 400 messages and unlimited data access  and the $35 plan adds unlimited messaging. A few hours later the cap was removed due to "PR" pressure.

To better support new smartphones like the HTC Dream, T-Mobile is expanding its data network.

T-Moble has made deals with backhaul providers Bright House Networks, FPL FiberNet, IP Networks Inc. and Zayo Bandwidth to support high speed data bandwidth requirements.for sites in Tampa, Fla., Orlando, Fla., South Florida, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Memphis, Tenn., respectively.

New mobile applications carried by technologies such as HSDPA require significantly greater bandwidth than today's applications.

AT&T Inc.and Qualcomm Incorporated announced that Qualcomm's Gobi global mobile Internet technology has been certified for use on the AT&T mobile broadband network.

Gobi technology gives users the freedom to connect to the Internet over wide-area wireless networks, providing fast, secure and convenient mobile broadband access and GPS functionality virtually anywhere in the world1 via leading 3G wireless networks. With Gobi-embedded notebook computers running on the AT&T network, customers will realize higher connection speeds, as well as access to the nation's fastest 3G service when in the U.S. and the industry's largest international wireless footprint when abroad.

T-Mobile has expanded its 3G service in Las Vegas. T-Mobile's 3G network in Las Vegas supports voice and data services. The company offers multiple phones that are able to operate on the UMTS network. These phones are designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide the great call quality.

Customers using a 3G-capable handset from T-Mobile will also experience faster data speeds when accessing the web, or downloading content from the T-Mobile t-zones content portal, for example. T-Mobile plans to soon offer its first HSDPA device, along with new and compelling data-centric, all-in-one devices that help make the most of T-Mobile's high-speed data network. The launch of the 3G network in Las Vegas also enables T-Mobile to accommodate and serve more customers more efficiently through the use of its AWS spectrum.

According to MultiChannel News, AT&T's 3G bandwagon does not include peer-to-peer downloading and AT&T bans the use of 3G networks for P2P file sharing and told an FCC official that anyone caught with their hands the P-2-P cookie jar will be terminated.

"AT&T's terms of service for mobile wireless broadband customers prohibit all uses that may cause extreme network capacity issues, and explicitly identify P2P file sharing applications as such a use," said Robert Quinn, AT&T's senior vice president of federal regulatory affairs in letter to  FCC  member Robert McDowel

"Under these terms of service, which are similar to those of other wireless providers, use of a P2P file sharing application would constitute a material breach of contract for which the user's service could be terminated," Quinn added.

First AT&T warns customers in writing that their relationship is in jeopardy for using banned P2P apps.

We have posted a copy of the letter.

COMMENT from Wireless and Mobile News:

iPhone 3G users,  other 3G smartphoners as well as notebook wireless broadband data users should watch out when they decide that they want to P2P and not go for paid music services such as iTunes.

Agilent announced a new 5.7 Mbps HSUPA test capability for its W-CDMA/HSPA Test and Lab Applications, which run on the 8960 (E5515C) Wireless Communications Test Set.

HSUPA is a 3G mobile telephony protocol in the HSPA family with uplink speeds up to 5.7 Mbps. Also known as E-DCH (Enhanced Dedicated Channel), it is designed to extend and improve the performance of UMTS protocols by reducing latency and increasing uplink throughput. Agilent's E1963A W-CDMA/HSPA Test Application provides Radio Bearer and Frequency Division Duplex test modes and applicable 3GPP TS 34.121 HSUPA RF measurements for the latest HSUPA manufacturing and device verification. The addition of Agilent's new 5.7 Mbps HSUPA test capability allows engineers to now test all available Category 6 HSUPA-capable mobile devices and chipsets.

Alltel Wireless said that it will continue expanding its wireless broadband network in 2008 with the launch of EVDO (evolution data optimized) Revision A technology in Wichita and surrounding areas enabling customers to upload files five to 10 times faster than before.

"Alltel Wireless is committed to bringing our customers the fast wireless broadband service they expect in their business and personal lives," said Jay Ortman, vice president of business solutions for Alltel. "This network upgrade in Wichita will give our customers secure, reliable access to the latest wireless technology."

Alltel's existing broadband Wireless Internet service enables remote access to corporate intranets, productivity enhancing applications and a variety of consumer products, such as Alltel TV. Download speeds also will increase. Rev. A download speeds average 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps, with bursts up to 3.1 Mbps. By comparison, downloads on the existing broadband network average 400-700 Kbps with bursts up to 2.4 Mbps.

Alltel Wireless customers will need a Rev. A-capable device to access the company's enhanced broadband network. Customers also can add unlimited access to 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to any Alltel Wireless Internet plan for $9.99 per month.

Alltel Wireless today announced that it will continue expanding its wireless broadband network in 2008 with the launch of EVDO (evolution data optimized) Revision A technology, enabling customers to upload files five to 10 times faster than before.

Both versions of Alltel’s Wireless Internet service - EVDO and Rev. A - are available for $59.99 a month and do not require a voice plan in order to qualify.

Customers can add unlimited access to 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to any Alltel Wireless Internet plan for $9.99.

AT&T's 3G HSUPA is going to be ready by the end of June in time for the new iPhone launch.

AT&T  announced a more than 20 percent increase to the top end of the company's typical 3G network downlink speed range and a 50 percent increase to the top end of the typical uplink speed range for wireless laptop card customers(1). The upgrades are results of recent network enhancements, including the deployment of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology across all existing 3G markets before the end of June.

The new typical wireless broadband speeds for LaptopConnect customers(1):

-- Downlink - Between 700 Kbps (kilobits per second) and 1.7 Mbps
(megabits per second), formerly 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps
-- Uplink - Between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps, formerly 500 to 800 Kbps

AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is available in more than 275 major U.S. metropolitan areas. Later this month, AT&T will become the first U.S. carrier to have fully deployed High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology across its entire 3G network. By year-end, the company plans to offer 3G service in nearly 350 major metropolitan U.S. areas.

Embedded wireless broadband (3G) capability for laptops has been difficult for enterprises to justify because of upfront purchase costs, monthly costs and asset protection, but new pricing plans and technology evolution will force changes in strategy, according to Gartner, Inc.

“Our standing recommendation against embedding wireless WAN (WWAN) cards in notebooks — except for applications with a clear return-on-investment justification — has been based on lack of global coverage, high costs and poor asset protection,” said Ken Dulaney, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. “However, new technologies and pricing due by the end of 2008 have the potential to eliminate the problems of embedded, wireless 3G notebook purchases.”

Gartner analysts said organizations can consider embedded 3G in new notebook purchases for moderate to extensive travelers in 2009.

“Various influencing factors are transitioning to a point where embedded 3G will become superior from a cost perspective compared with previously used alternatives, such as Wi-Fi ‘hot spots’ and hotel broadband for wide-area use,” said Leslie Fiering, research vice president at Gartner.

Historically, embedded WWANs have been tied to specific technologies and service providers, meaning that users could not just swap cards out when they moved to an area not covered by a certain carrier. Ongoing service costs at an average estimate of $600 a year were difficult to justify, and roaming charges could drive costs even higher. Additionally, the tremendous churn in WWAN technologies and frequencies could make a WWAN card obsolete within two years inside a notebook with a three-year expected life.

Infineon Technologies AG announced the availability of its new generation 3G platform family. This new platform family addresses all major 3G market segments and includes a high performance HSPA modem solution, a feature phone solution enriched with high multimedia capabilities and a cost-efficient 3G solution.

This platform family is a further step on Infineon’s integration roadmap: it reduces the number of devices in the chipset from three to two and the component count of a typical platform by 50 per cent.

The new 3G-solutions offer the industry’s smallest PCB (printed circuit board) footprint with a space reduction of up to 40 per cent. Furthermore the standby power is reduced by up to 30 per cent compared to existing HSDPA platform solutions.

“Our new platforms enable our customers to fully reuse their hardware and software developments and launch multiple phones covering all feature phone market segments with lower cost and faster time-to-market,” said Prof. Dr. Hermann Eul, Executive Vice President of the Infineon Management Board and President of the Communication Solutions Business Group.

“Given the compelling size of our new Baseband and RF devices and the low component count of our platforms, we are offering the world’s smallest platform footprint, enabling manufacturers to build slim, feature rich HSUPA / HSDPA phones for all 3G market segments.”

Infineon uses its own dual-mode 3GPP release 6 Protocol Stack, which enables the company to provide complete in-house system solutions. Having the ownership of each and every platform component eases completing lab tests (GCF, PTCRB and IOT), field tests and operator approvals on Infineon’s reference platforms, which in turn accelerates customers’ phone projects substantially.

By the end of June, connecting to AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband service will be as speedy as logging onto the high speed Internet service that many consumers enjoy at home.

AT&T announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T’s entire 3G (third-generation) wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network.

Today the superfast AT&T 3G network is available in more than 275 markets. By year-end, the AT&T 3G network will be available in nearly 350 markets.

With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users can enjoy uplink speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps. The technology is available in all but the few remaining AT&T 3G markets and will be included in all future deployments. The new upload speeds complement AT&T’s 3G download capabilities, which currently offer up to 1.4 Mbps across all markets for customers who have capable devices, such as AT&T’s LaptopConnect wireless modems.