Entries tagged with “3G” from WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Gizmodo reports that in consistent testing of Sprint's 3G network in eight cities selected by the blog showed Sprint unequivocally beating both AT&T and Verizon in download performance speeds.

"On download performance Sprint wins overall, beating AT&T five cities to three, and beating Verizon in four cities," said Wilson Rothman, Gizmodo Features Editor. "Proving that Sprint is a serious contender in almost any location... they should be taken seriously as a 3G and 4G data service provider."

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.

"UMTS/HSPA has exploited tremendous innovation to deliver capabilities on a global scale never achieved by any other technology, offering operators key technical and business advantages," concluded Peter Rysavy, President of Rysavy Research and author of the white paper published today by 3G Americas. "EDGE, HSPA and LTE Broadband Innovation" discusses the significant evolution of these 3GPP technologies, their capabilities and their positions relative to other primary competing technologies.

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.

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.

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.

T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced that the company has taken the first commercial step in the rollout of its third-generation (3G) wireless network by launching its UMTS/HSDPA network in New York City. T-Mobile plans to continue the rollout of its 3G network across major metropolitan markets through the year. By year’s end, T-Mobile expects its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services.

T-Mobile’s 3G network supports voice and data services consistent with available service and handset offerings. The company offers multiple phones that are able to operate on the UMTS network. The phones are designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide the great call quality and rich communication services customers expect from T-Mobile.

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.

In the coming months, T-Mobile plans to 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.