AT&T Speeds up and Expands 3G Network

2008 will see the introduction of HSUPA technology, and 80 more cities added to the 3G roster.

While AT&T’s home broadband customers may still be cringing from Monday’s rate hike, the company’s mobile broadband customers are experiencing the other side of the coin: a surprise expansion in service with no additional cost. AT&T announced on Wednesday that it would grow its 3G network by 80 more cities in 2008, and upgrade all of its towers for even faster speeds.

In total, AT&T’s 3G network will span 350 cities when expansion finishes, which will include all of the top 100 markets in the U.S. The network will also employ HSUPA technology, pushing download speeds  between 600 and 1,400 Kbps, and upload speeds between 500 to 800 Kbps. When the transition to HSUPA is complete, AT&T will be the only U.S. carrier to have totally transitioned to HSPA standards.

“Fast wireless broadband is the foundation for a whole range of new and emerging applications that our customers are adopting, including everything from social networking to sending live video and large business files,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO for AT&T’s wireless unit, in a statement. “With these aggressive initiatives, we’re expanding the scope and the speed of our 3G capabilities, connecting people with their world and enabling more customers to do more with their wireless devices, wherever they may be.”