AT&T would expand its 3G mobile broadband network from 350 metropolitan areas to about 370 by the end of 2009. The expansion will be covered by its previously announced capital expenditure budget of $17 billion to $18 billion for the year.
The increase to its mobile broadband speed includes an upgrade of High Speed Packet Access that the company currently uses. The upgrade will increase AT&T's theoretical network speed to 7.2 megabits per second, up from current speeds of 3 megabits per second.
Typical real world speeds experienced by users with upgraded 3G will be less than the theoretical peak and will vary based on a number of factors, including location, device, and overall traffic on the local network at a given time.
AT&T's network infrastructure gives advantage in that able to deliver upgrades in mobile broadband speed and performance with our existing technology platform.
With the array of smart phones, laptops and emerging devices taking advantage of AT&T's 3G network today, people are excited to experience higher mobile broadband speeds, and by deploying the right technologies at the right times to help them get the most from that experience.
