The mobile operator and exclusive provider for Apple's iPhone in the US said the upgrades are results of recent network enhancements, including the deployment of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology across all existing 3G markets that is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
Customers on the network should now achieved download speeds between 700 Kbps (kilobits per second) and 1.7 Mbps (megabits per second), up from 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps. Meanwhile, upload speeds should jump to the 500 Kbps - 1.2 Mbps range, up from 500 to 800 Kbps.
The announcement comes just days before Apple is expected to take the wraps off its next-generation iPhone handset which is widely expected to leverage 3G networks worldwide.
AT&T says its 3G mobile network is available in more than 275 major U.S. metropolitan areas, adding that later this month it 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.
89 Comments
In my view, the timing of the announcement just ahead of WWDC demonstrates that iPhone 2.0 will be available the day of or soon after it is announced.
Can someone explain to me how the previous upload speeds were 500-800K when HSDPA only supports an uplink of 384Kbps?
Yawn
Tired of waiting for the thing to be released
This evidence convinces me that Apple and AT&T have engineered the development, marketing, implementation etc, working to jointly agreed timetables. This has been in the planning for a long time. Apple gets newly available network capability, for their newly available iPhone model/s. It will maximize the new experience to be had. Sure, it will soon become the norm for competitors, but Apple gets to jump first with exquisite timing from AT&T with the best speeds on the best phone going.
It's going to be a great ride, the next 12-24 months, and I'm looking forward to it.
Pete
In my view, the timing of the announcement just ahead of WWDC demonstrates that iPhone 2.0 will be available the day of or soon after it is announced.
My current 3G phone (Samsung A737) displayed it's 3G icon for the first time on Monday morning. Prior to then it had always connected via EDGE. I hope it signifies the rumored 3G iPhone announcement. Certainly an interesting coincidence anyway. I live in the Greenville, SC area.
matt.