Giz Explains: What AT&T's 7.2Mbps Network Really Means

AT&T's contribution to the improved overall speed of the iPhone 3GS—their upgraded 7.2Mbps network—is nearly as important as Apple's. But 7.2 is just a number, and AT&T's network is just one of many. Here's where it actually stands. More »

Gizmodo's Mission Critical E3 Gear

Essential to our E3 coverage: Canon's 5D Mark II's made our liveblog shots effortless and awesome in any light , Sprint's 3G network was our crucial lifeline in the bowels of convention centers, and UCC Black powered us.

Sprint Selling MiFi 2200 Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot for Its 3G Service

Remember how well Sprint 3G did in tests? And how much we like portable hotspots? Put them together with the $100 Novatel MiFi 2200, and you have a pretty nice setup, dubbed "Sprint Mobile Hotspot." More »

The Definitive Coast-to-Coast 3G Data Test

After a grueling eight-city coast-to-coast test of the 3G networks run by AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, we've come up with some clear-cut test results. Think you know who has the best network? Think again. More »

Official: Verizon Wireless Absorbing Alltel to Become Largest US Carrier

We mentioned it yesterday, but now Verizon Wireless is kissing and telling: It will pay around $6 billion for Alltel, adding 13 million customers in 34 states to the Verizon subscriber ranks. That should put Verizon's total at 80 million—high above AT&T's last-reported 71 million customers. Though Alltel and Verizon share the same phone technology, Alltel serves rural markets that Verizon had not built out, so it should mean some nice network expansion too, and "seamless transition" for Alltel customers. Seems like the merger will be completed by the end of the year, and all things will be harmonious and groovy by the second year. We're not seeing many problems with this—it's certainly no Sprint-Nextel fiasco. Jump for press release with financial mumbo jumbo. More »