AT&T 3G Network Map

AT&T's 3G network is one of the fastest wireless networks in the US and in North America. The company is the process of moving into the faster 4G technology called LTE but the current 3G speeds are still capable of providing efficient and quality service.

One look at a AT&T 3G network map will tell you that it covers nearly every area in the nation. It's influence and coverage reaches over all states and nearly encompasses the whole country. But what is 3G anyway? What are it's uses and benefits?

Let's delve deeper into this topic.

This nationwide wireless network uses HSDPA/UMTS technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access/Universal Mobile Telephone System) to provide users with accelerated data speeds. This service is also able to offer quality wireless voice and data experience by providing simultaneous voice and data capabilities.

Over the years, the wireless service provider has built the network into a nationwide entity. Checking out the AT&T 3G network map will show the areas that are covered by this service.

The company's website offers a coverage viewer that allows users to look at a number of AT&T 3G network map that helps to determine if an area is being served.

The BroadbandConnect network of AT&T is currently live in over 13,000 cities and towns and along nearly 40,000 miles of highway. Most major metropolitan areas in the nation can enjoy the benefits provided by this high-speed wireless network.

Big Blue's HSDPA/UMTS technology provides:

• faster on-demand viewing of high quality video clips
• faster wireless Internet faster and significantly lower wait for page loads
• significantly faster files download and email access
• efficient Multi-tasking

That's it for this post on the AT&T 3G network map. Just check out the coverage viewer if you want to find out about the service in your area.

Review of Cell Phone Carriers

The competition in the mobile phone industry is very tight. Millions and dollars are involved and US carriers are constantly jostling for position in an effort to get the most customers into their business.

So how does one determine the best deals or services in the market? Well, there are plenty of sources in the web that provide review of cell phone carriers and other information that would be useful to consumers. Some websites offer specific information such as cell phone plans comparisons or mobile phone comparisons to help a consumer to choose a specific rate plan or handset.

Review of cell phone carriers can provide the basic information on a service provider to give consumers an idea on the strengths or specialty of a company. For instance, carriers like Sprint or Verizon operate a CDMA wireless network so consumers know that GSM phones may not work with them.

Sources that provide review of cell phone carriers also offer information on the plans, exclusive handsets, mobile phone line-up, and other service details on a service providers. One can obtain the details if the carrier provides prepaid or postpaid plans and if they offer competitively priced plans and extensive international roaming.

The web also offers useful information on wireless network service providers such as customer service rating by J.D. Power and Associates and other performance related details. Fees and rates are also included in websites that provide reviews of the top service providers.

There is a wealth of information available online so I recommend every consumer to take advantage of it. The recession is making it tough to waste money so looking at reviews of mobile phone service providers can help one to save money. It may also allow you to save time. Most of the information is for free so there's no excuse to doing a bit of work.

That's if for this post on the importance of sources that provide review of cell phone carriers. Tune in to this blog to get more useful news and information on US wireless carriers.

AT&T 3G Network Upgrade Deployed!

AT&T has rolled out the new HSPA 7.2 speed for its nationwide 3G wireless network. I blogged about the plans for the AT&T 3G wireless network upgrade last June. It appears that the provider has successfully tested the improved speeds for its network.

The new and improved network with HSPA 7.2 data speeds will be launched by the end of the year in:

• Charlotte
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Houston
• Los Angeles
• Miami

According to the carrier's plans, the AT&T 3G wireless network upgrade with HSPA 7.2 data speeds is expected to be in effect in 25 of the top 30 markets. One of the goals is also to achieve the roll out in 90 percent of its 3G network area by the end of 2011. The company is also hoping to expects to have six HSPA 7.2-compatible smartphones available by the end of the year.

What are the updates involved in this major upgrade. Well, the carrier is also upgrading the backhaul connections at each tower location and providing each tower with faster data connections to the network and the Internet. This upgrades will allow the towers to HSPA 7.2 and the even faster LTE technology in the future.

John Stankey, president and CEO of AT&T Operations describe this 3G wireless network upgrade:

“Our deployment of HSPA 7.2 and supporting backhaul connectivity will enable our customers to continue to ride the leading edge of emerging devices and thousands of mobile applications. Our network is based on the predominant technology platform used by operators worldwide and has been tested by today’s most popular devices. That experience gives us an important advantage in developing and deploying new technologies to meet customers’ future needs.”

This roll-out may elicit a response form other wireless network providers. The other carriers may also improve their services to counter this AT&T 3G wireless network upgrade with HSPA 7.2 data speeds. Well, that's to the benefit of the customers. We'll enjoy faster speeds and improved mobile phones.

That's it for this post on the AT&T 3G wireless network upgrade with HSPA 7.2 data speeds. Tune in to this wireless network information blog to get the latest news and updates on mobile phone carriers.

FCC to Investigate US wireless Network Operators

I previously blogged about the possible government review on wireless network operators on possible anti-competitive practices. Well, it appears that the FCC has already made it's move.

The FCC or Federal Communications Commission has decided to launch a formal inquiry into the wireless industry. The agency will look into the business practices being used in the industry. It will also examine how the large wireless network operators affect consumer choice.

The target of this FCC inquiry will be the major wireless network operators, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless.

Exclusive deals between handset makers and carriers will also be targeted by this FCC inquiry into the the wireless network industry. Apparently, rural carriers have expressed their strong opposition to these exclusive deals. They do not have enough clout to make deals to carry the most popular phones so such practices should be illegal.

The FCC also wants to gain an insight into the general state of the wireless industry to see if current conditions in the wireless market allow for new entrants. If the the major wireless network operators have too much power then a new entrant into the industry have little chance of survival.

The results of this FCC inquiry into the the wireless network industry will be used as a framework for other investigations into other commercial industries. Other sectors such as cable and broadband are also scheduled to be examined by the government.

New FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski released this statement regarding the inquiry,

"I hope the new wireless competition report will help set a standard for fact-based, analytically deep analysis of the mobile industry. It is essential that the commission develop policies that encourage a new generation of innovators, working with new tools, on new platforms, and having an extraordinary impact on our economy and society"

Well, this is certainly interesting. The wireless industry has always defended its practices, pointing out that they offer consumers a wide range of choices of network operators, handsets, and service plans. We'll see if the inquiry brings any improvements that would benefit all consumers.

That's it for this post on the FCC inquiry into the mobile phone carriers. Tune in to this blog to get the latest news and updates on wireless networks.

More T-Mobile 3G Network Markets Launched!

T-Mobile may have the youngest 3G network among the top US wireless carriers but it sure is growing fast. The carrier has announced via Twitter that its 3G wireless network services will be open to new markets.

The T-Mobile 3G network is now live in these markets:

• Bridgeport Conn.
• Hartford Conn.
• New Haven Conn.
• Waterbury, Conn.
• Knoxville, Tenn.

The T-Mobile 3G network has also opened in numerous markets in the past several weeks. Here are some of the markets that have been launched in the last two months:

• St. Louis, Mo.
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Milwaukee, Wi.
• Bakersfield, California
• Santa Clarita, California
• Simi Valley, California
• Thousand Oaks, Louisiana
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
• El Paso, Texas
• Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pennsylvania
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Chesapeake, Virginia
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Portsmouth, Virginia
• Hampton, Virginia
• Richmond, Virginia

The T-Mobile's 3G services provide faster Web browsing and content downloads. A 3G phone on the T-Mobile 3G network can reach speeds up of 200 to 300 Kilobytes per second, with peak speeds of up to 1 Megabyte per second.

That's it for this wireless network update. The T-Mobile 3G network service might also go live in your area soon. Tune in to this wireless network blog for more news and updates on mobile phone carriers and their services.

Clearwire Brings WiMax 4G Wireless Networks to 10 New Markets

It appears that Sprint and Clearwire are pushing hard to roll out it's nationwide 4G wireless network. Perhaps they are feeling the pressure from the nearing launch of Verizon's LTE wireless network.

Clearwire has just announced that it's WiMax 4G wireless network will open in ten more market. The company uses Sprint Nextel's 2.5GHz spectrum to bring high speed 4G technology to the US market. These newly announced markets will begin to operate starting on September 1

The company offers WiMax technology which offers faster speeds than current 3G wireless technologies. The service provider boasts that WiMax can offer up to 4 megabits per second for downloads and 500 kilobits per second for uploading. These figure makes the technology more than twice as fast as the 3G wireless connection. This wireless network also provides wider coverage than other high-speed wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi..

Here are the new markets that will receive broadband services from the Clearwire Wimax 4G wireless network:

• Abilene, Texas
• Amarillo, Texas
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• Lubbock, Texas
• Midland/Odessa, Texas
• Killeen/Temple, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Wichita Falls, Texas
• Boise, Idaho
• Bellingham, Wash.

These markets will join the markets in Atlanta, Baltimore, and Portland, Ore. However, the company's plans are far from over. Clearwire hopes to serve 80 markets by the end of 2010.

Here's a recap of the services offered by Clearwire. Consumers can get in-home wireless broadband services for as low as $20 per month. Mobile Internet plans start at $40 per month with a day pass for $10. Customers can also add voice service to their in-home package for $25 per month.

That's it for this post on the new markets for the WiMax 4G wireless network. Tune in to this blog to get the latest news and updates to wireless networks.

Sprint Nextel to Acquire Virgin Mobile for $483 million

It looks like like two known wireless network operators will merge to form a larger entity. After acquiring Nextel, Sprint has made a deal to merge with Virgin Mobile.

Sprint has proudly announced that its boards of directors have approved a definitive agreement to acquire Virgin Mobile USA for a total equity value of approximately $483 million. This means that the wireless network operator will assume control of Virgin and its 5.2 million customers.

So is this the end of Virgin Mobile? Well, no. Sprint says that Virgin Mobile will be maintained as a separate brand and offered along side its Boost Mobile pre-paid service. So the bitter rivals in the prepaid service market will now serve one master.

The CEO of Virgin Mobile USA will continue to run the Virgin Mobile division, and will report directly to Sprint CEO Dan Hesse.

But why did Sprint decide to acquire Virgin Mobile? Here are the reasons that the company revealed on its Sprint Nextel-Virgin Mobile merger announcement:

• Strengthens Sprint’s position in the fast growing prepaid segment.
• Enhances cross selling of full suite of Sprint products and services across a larger target audience.
• Free cash flow accretive for Sprint before synergies.
• Synergies to be derived from general and administrative reductions, operational efficiencies, and streamlined distribution.
• Sprint gains deeper managerial talent with additional expertise in the prepaid segment

The Sprint Nextel-Virgin Mobile merger is expected to close in late 2009 or early 2010.

Well, this development is certainly interesting. I thought that Sprint was on its way down but this move seems to breath new life to the company. Verizon Wireless also recently acquired Alltel so perhaps AT&T and T-Mobile will also make a move.

That's it for this news on the Sprint Nextel-Virgin Mobile merger. Tune in to this blog for the latest news and updates on wireless network operators.