AT&T's Faster HSPA 7.2 3G Network Coming Soon

AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is about to get a lot faster thanks to the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology upgrade which should take place later this year. The new HSPA 7.2 network will provide double the speed of the current 3G network and better coverages as well. The $18 billion upgrade will raise the theoretical speeds to 7.2 Mbps and will bring many other enhancements to the data network.

AT&T said in a press release that they would begin upgrading their networks towards the end of the year and expect to be fully completed in 2011.

In addition to the planned speed upgrade, AT&T is enhancing 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. Also, AT&T is adding thousands of new cell site backhaul connections to support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by HSPA 7.2 and LTE.

AT&Ts network infrastructure gives us a tremendous advantage in that were 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&Ts 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.

Other key 2009 upgrade plans include;

• Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity. In 2008 and 2009 to date, high-quality 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed in more than half of AT&Ts 3G network footprint to improve overall coverage and in-building reception, with additional markets planned for later in the year.
• More Bandwidth to Cell Sites. We are adding fiber-optic connectivity and additional capacity to thousands of cell sites across the country this year, expanding the critical connections that deliver traffic from a cell site into the global IP backbone network. These upgrades will support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by both HSPA 7.2 and LTE.
• More Cell Sites. Deployment of about 2,100 new cell sites across the country.
• Wi-Fi Integration. Many AT&T smartphones will be able to switch seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans have access to the nations largest Wi-Fi network more than 20,000 hotspots, including locations in all 50 states at no additional charge. AT&Ts global Wi-Fi footprint covers more than 90,000 hotspots, and AT&T also can create permanent or temporary extended Wi-Fi zones in areas with high 3G network use, like a grouping of hotels or a festival.
• MicroCells. Customer trials leading toward general availability of AT&T 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize femtocells to enhance in-building wireless coverage.

With so many iPhone's running on the AT&T network today, it would seem as though upgrades such as these were inevitable. With Apple's next generation iPhone coming this June we can probably expect that it will be able to operate on the newer and faster AT&T 3G network.