AT&T 3G Data Speeds Up 20% – Hopes for 20Mbps by 2010

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AT&T 3G Data Speeds Up 20% – Hopes for 20Mbps by 2010

Posted on 04 June 2008 by Wayne Schulz

att 3g.jpg

AT&T announced this morning that their 3G network has received a speed boost. Top speeds should now reach up to 1.7 Mbps (to achieve this speed you must be using one of their HSUPA LaptopConnect cards) versus an old top limit of 1.4 Mbps. While I don’t have an AT&T 3G card to test their claims, I can share that on my Verizon V740 Expresscard, the data rates vary wildly. I’ve only been able to achieve top speeds (Verizon seems to top out at 1.5 Mbps) when stationary beneath a cell tower. The weaker the signal – the slower the data. Interestingly , the AT&T press release also claims a significant speed boost may be coming in 2010:

As HSPA technology evolves between 2009 and 2010 to HSPA+, peak speeds could reach 20 Mbps. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the longer term.

Link: AT&T reports 3G wireless download speeds of up to 1.7 Mbps for LaptopConnect Customers

This post was written by:

Wayne Schulz - who has written 2131 posts on Gear Diary.

Wayne is a diehard Blackberry user and consultant specializing in Sage MAS90 Accounting Software. He lives in Glastonbury CT with his two children. When not helping them with their homework or pushing the latest school fundraiser off on his co-workers, he is active hiking, Scuba Diving and investigating all manner of technology.

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Christopher Gavula
Yeah – they keep boosting the speed and upgrading areas where they already have 3G, but many of of us are still waiting for ANY hint of 3G service in our areas let alone speed boosts.
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
Exactly! I suppose I should be thankful we have EDGE here and not just GSM, but man… 3G please!
http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz
I’m with you. In Glastonbury CT the AT&T 3G footprint is oddly reminiscent of the way cellular data coverage USED to be. We have coverage around major highways and population areas but once you go away from those areas the coverage falls back to pokey EDGE.
Hopefully WIMAX has a trick up their sleeve – because if 20 Mbs is remotely achievable within 2 years that is going to be a game changer.
Of course by then we’ll all be on metered service…
Christopher Gavula
I think those of us in smaller markets are starting to sound like Oliver – “more 3G please”….
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
“Please suh, may I have fastuh data speeds? Please?”