Posts Tagged “
att
”AT&T 3G Hitting 20Mbps in 2009
Just in time for the new iPhone's imminent release, AT&T said today that it will upgrade its 3G network to run at speeds over 20 megabits per second in 2009. That's more than five times the current limit of 3.6Mbps, which is already fast, at least compared to EDGE. The company is currently testing its HSDPA 3G network for the upgrade, and says it now runs at 7.2Mbps in the lab. The speed boost will be achieved through a software upgrade and won't require major hardware changes across the network, so we may actually see this happen on time. The question is, when everyone and their mom has the 3G iPhone, will the speed peaks still be that good? If you want to know more about 3G and HSPA, check out Giz Explains: Mobile Terms.[AppleInsider]3G Networks Reviewed: AT&T Is the Fastest
Computerworld took Verizon, Sprint and AT&T's 3G data services for a spin all around the tri-state area—500 points in NY, NJ and CT—with data cards from everyone and an X300 to determine the king of 3G. Surprisingly (or maybe not), AT&T was the snappiest of the bunch in both average (755Kbps) and top data speeds (1.6Mbps). Of course, there's more to consider: As we've said, only Sprint gives you unlimited data freedom; Verizon and AT&T have 5GB caps (they're squishy, but they're there). Also, EV-DO has a bit wider coverage area. But if you're mostly roaming around the NYC area, it looks like AT&T might be the new go-to, especially if speed is your main concern. [ComputerWorld]Rumor Smashed: AT&T's iPhone Black Reference Just Placeholder Text
An AT&T spokesperson just told us that the iPhone Black dropdown reference on the AT&T Wireless website is just a temporary placeholder. The spokesperson says that it was used over the weekend for a "scheduled catalog update," distinguishing the various iPhone models (4GB, 8GB and 16GB). Sorry dudes, the 3G iPhone is probably not called the iPhone Black. Unless, of course, the spokesperson was just covering AT&T's butt, which could always be possible.Sprint Loses 1 Million Customers While Everyone Else Gains
Two weeks ago we told you that Verizon and AT&T had added millions of customers in the first quarter of 2008, and that T-Mobile was also on the up. Today Sprint reported that, as expected, it was not part of this trend, instead losing 1 million customers in the same period. CEO Dan Hesse told Reuters that recovery would take "many quarters." Sprint was working hard to reduce customer cancellations and return to profit, but it was "still far from where we need to be." Our theory: Sprint is throwing a Hail Mary pass with the Samsung Instinct, whose marketing costs alone are rumored to cost $100 million—or more. If that doesn't work, I think we might see some towel throwing. [Reuters]AT&T Confirms First Dibs on BlackBerry Bold
AT&T told our friend Sascha at PC Mag that it would be the first carrier to sell the new BlackBerry Bold. Others may very well follow this year, and judging from the fact that the hardware specs include room for T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, they most certainly will. AT&T also said that it's got exclusivity on international 3G usage—Sprint/Verizon's EV-DO isn't as universal as AT&T's HSDPA—and the ability to use the BB in Japan and South Korea. [Gearlog]
voip
AT&T and Other Telcos Thinking of Skype Combatant?
Om writes about a report that AT&T and a group of major international telcos like British Telecom, Deutsche Telecom and NTT are thinking of making a free VoIP system. The reason for it is that voice is a "losing proposition" these days in the face of Skype and landline attrition. The system would eventually be moved to cellphones and would be launched in 2009. One problem: The report is so far mostly theory, even if the writer does have a good track record. [Om]
cellphones
It's Friday, so the mass of stupid and regrettable (and maybe criminal) text messages you wished you never sent is about explode exponentially, as it does every weekend. Google, as you know, keeps your embarrassing search history for "AZN Squirrels Pooping on Bananas" or "Iron Man upskirt" for 18 months. But how long do Verizon and AT&T hang on to your shameful SMSes? Thankfully, not long at all. Sprint hangs on to your textual diarrhea the longest, for about two weeks, while AT&T dumps them after 48 hours, according to Slate's Explainer. We hit up Verizon, who said a "couple days, tops." There are a couple catches, though.
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How to Cover Your Text Message Tracks
Official AT&T Mobile TV Details
Looks the leaked info was pretty much spot on. AT&T's Mobile TV service is debuting May 4 and it'll come in three tiers: Limited, Basic and Plus for $13, $15 and $30. It'll launch in 58 major markets (all the ones you expect). Besides the nine live broadcast channels, there's a bank of 150 time-shifted shows like the 30 Rock finale, plus Sony's movie channel, dubbed PIX—it'll have stuff like Memento and Kung Fu Hustle (have you ever seen a fist this big?). First phones to get in on the action are LG's Vu and Samsung Access. Hit the jump for all the dirty details. More »AT&T Giving Free Starbucks Wi-Fi to iPhone Users?
Some Macrumors readers are reporting that AT&T's Starbucks and Barnes and Noble Wi-Fi hotspots are coughing up free internet access for iPhone users. When you hit up the wireless at these locations, you get directed to a special iPhone-formatted page that asks for your phone number. Once you punch that in, you're free to check email and Facebook at decent speeds. AT&T declined to comment, but didn't officially deny anything. [MacRumors]
3g iphone
According to Fortune, AT&T's going to further subsidize the iPhone down as much as $200, making the final retail price a scant $199 with two-year-contract. The rumor is that the $200 bonus will only be available in AT&T stores, not in Apple stores, so people buying and exporting or using it with T-Mobile will be paying the higher price. Current first-gen iPhone users probably won't get this $200 subsidy when upgrading either, unless perhaps they renew for another 2 years.
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AT&T's 3G iPhone Is $199 This Summer
iPhone Data Plan for Deaf Now Available: $40 a Month
The "near future" for the impending iPhone data plan for the deaf was apparently four months. Dubbed the Text Accessibility Plan for iPhone, it comes with unlimited text messaging, browsing and email. It's now available for new and current iPhone users for $40 a month, though you've gotta clear an eligibility application to get it. Full details below. More »Azureus/Vuze Says AT&T Is Pulling a Comcast, Resetting Torrents
A month after releasing its plugin that detects if your ISP is performing reset voodoo on your torrents, Azureus/Vuze is claiming AT&T hexes them with the same reset TCP packet curse as Comcast, despite AT&T's explicit statements otherwise. AT&T denies the accusation and points out a flaw in the plugin's method, that it can't tell the difference between naturally occurring TCP resets and artificial ones generated by an ISP. Azureus, while admitting the issue, still says AT&T is full it. More »Starbucks/AT&T Wi-Fi Launches May 1 for AT&T Customers (But Not the Rest of Us)
AT&T officially began rolling out their Starbucks Wi-Fi hotspots today (and confirmed the first one spotted in the wild). AT&T broadband customers get free Wi-Fi at all 7,000 Starbucks starting May 1 but the rest of us have to wait as it's deployed on a market-by-market basis throughout the year. (Which means the spots for AT&T customers are probably running on T-Mo's boxes.) We tried to get a more clear timeline, at least for major markets, but they aren't elaborating right now. [AT&T] More »GPS-enabled Blackberry Pearl 8110 Arrives on AT&T
If the lack of GPS on the AT&T Blackberry Pearl was the one thing holding you back, today is your lucky day. The GPS-capable 8110 is now available through AT&T. Unfortunately, the $150 handset sacrifices Wi-Fi in favor of navigaton. [AT&T via IntoMobile]
comcast
GigaOm is reporting that Comcast has created its own wireless division and is bringing the pieces together to jump into the wireless biz to offer quadruple play bundle competition (TV, landline, internet, wireless) against Verizon and AT&T. Speculation is that they could buddy up with a WiMax deal, or flat-out buy Sprint (more likely) or T-Mobile (less likely). Usually more competition is more better, but not sure what'll come out of this Pandora's box. I'm sure the FCC will love it though. Update: A tipster tells us that the wireless move will be under their Fancast brand, which is currently the name of their online video site. Smart, avoids the negative Comcast connotations. [GigaOM]
Comcast Entering the Wireless Biz to Take on Verizon and AT&T
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