Categorized | Announcements & News

Tags : AT&T

AT&T Pulling EDGE Back?

Posted on 05 January 2009 by


I saw this over at Boy Genius Report, and if it is actually true, then I have a problem. I am trying to get in touch with some of my AT&T contacts, and will report back if I have additional or contrary information.

However, BGR is reporting that in order to push its 3G network, AT&T is relegating EDGE coverage to its not so used 1900mHz band.

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According to AT&T, this move is supposed to reinforce 3G strengthen its HSPA services. While 2G isn’t going to be phased out, this is essentially doing the same for many customers, especially people who are having difficulty with AT&T service already. The kicker in all this is that AT&T’s 3G network performance is still abysmal in many areas.

BGR further reports that this shouldn’t be a big problem in urban areas. I beg to differ.  In areas where 3G coverage is spotty, like along the rail line that I spend about 4 hours every day on, EDGE coverage is a huge fall back point for AT&T’s very spotty, very, VERY crummy 3G coverage. How this makes their 3G coverage better, is way beyond me. BGR further states -

…The bottom line is AT&T should be taking measures to strengthen its 3G service before it starts cutting the legs out from under its EDGE network…

I whole-heartedly agree.  I am in downtown Chicago EVERY DAY, and 3G coverage here, on non-iPhone devices was/is better for me than it was on my iPhone 3G; but I often find myself on EDGE rather than HSDPA or UMTS/3G many times.

Out near the house, I bounce back and forth between 3G and EDGE a great deal. If this results in worse 3G coverage/signal strength, I may as well be on T-Mobile… (their coverage is worse, and their signal penetration is also poor, especially in the large skyscrapers here, downtown).

Stay tuned. I’ll have an update should my AT&T contacts have contrary information.

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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula

    If you're having problems with the device flipping back and forth, then this could possibly IMPROVE your situation, making the device more likely to stay on the 3G signal by reducing/removing the "more powerful" EDGE signal. Of course the likelihood of that depends on a number of factors which you don't detail here.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/ChrisSpera ChrisSpera

    yes that is a possibility; but I bounce to an EDGE signal because the 3G signal is weak. If they add to their 3G network, then yes, it could improve things, but that's not necessarily what is inferred in the article at BGR. So, I'm not sure how to take this…

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula

    Are you certain that your 3G signal is weak, or is it simply that the EDGE signal is significantly stronger? BGR may be right, but without further information on the radio signal dynamics (and signal selection algorithms used) in the area anything they (or we) say is purely specualtion. Their speculation (and yours) is that the end result is going to be negative. The reality – you don't know yet.

  • http://www.intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula

    Are you certain that your 3G signal is weak, or is it simply that the EDGE signal is significantly stronger? BGR may be right, but without further information on the radio signal dynamics (and signal selection algorithms used) in the area anything they (or we) say is purely specualtion. Their speculation (and yours) is that the end result is going to be negative. The reality – you don't know yet, but shifting things around definitely means change.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/gorkon gorkon

    Just wish T-Mobile's 3G network was rolled out here. OH so close! This spring in Columbus!

  • TEED

    My AT&T Blackberry curve phone in Northern NJ stopped recieving EDGE signal Last Sunday night (Dec 28) I now have to drive about a mile to start recieving my emails. All I get is GSM (voice service) I suppose the signal just dissapeared all by itself. ( at least if I was 5 I would believe the elves did it) This reminds me of when I used to call in troubles to AT&T. They had two famous resolutions. NTF (No Trouble Found) and "Rusted Pairs" from their copper circuits. (Mind you, They kept using the rusted pairs excuse on fiber!!) I guess if a trouble is found on the wireless network they'll probably use the NTF or the "Rusted Pairs" resolution. Boy am I TEED!

  • RSchwinn

    I am having the same problem in Chicago! I call AT&T once a week and they tell me that no one else is complaining and that they haven’t cut back any signals. . . Essentially a parade of bald-faced lies. Before, the edge signal in my area was so strong that I could use my telephone in my basement (a concrete building) – Now I have zero bars and calls dropped from my porch.

    What’s worse is that I took their suggestion to upgrade from the 3G to the 3GS and now my terrible reception is unchanged but my wallet is lighter.

  • http://geardiary.com Christopher Spera

    If you have another AT&T phone, take your SIM out of the 3GS and put into that phone to test the signal strength in your basement & porch. If you get good signal on the other AT&T phone and bad signal on your 3GS, take it back. You’ve probably got a bad unit.