Kris Kumar
09-02-2004, 06:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.attwireless.com/press/releases/2004_releases/090104.jhtml' target='_blank'>http://www.attwireless.com/press/releases/2004_releases/090104.jhtml</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Businesses and consumers can now receive access to continuous high-speed wireless data connections and streaming video services as AT&T Wireless turns Dallas and San Diego into the newest "metropolitan hotspots."...AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service provides customers with average wireless data speeds between 220 and 320 kilobits-per-second (kbps), with bursts up to 384Kbps. In the future, the company noted that UMTS can be easily and cost-effectively upgraded to HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which is estimated to attain peak data rates up to 14.4 megabits-per-second (mbps)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/ATT 3G.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />AT&T Wireless is continuing with its plans to roll out <a href="http://www.attwireless.com/umts">UMTS based 3G </a>network. Back in <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5930">July</a> AT&T started the 3G service in four cities - San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix and Detroit. And now its <i>"metropolitan hotspots"</i> cover Dallas and San Diego. Surprisingly they have 3G coverage in more cities compared to Verizon's CDMA2000 1XEV-DO based 3G network. Hope this trend continues after the Cingular - AT&T merger. AT&T is offering attractive data plans, $25 per month for unlimited access through handsets on top of the carrier’s GSM-based voice plans, and businesses can purchase unlimited access using the PC Card for $80 per month. 8O Wish there was a 3G enabled Smartphone to exploit the superior data network. I remember reading that HTC (makers of SPV C500 and Vivida) has licensed the 3G technology but haven't heard any formal announcements. Wonder if any Smartphone manufacturer has plans to venture into the 3G market in the near future?