Jump to content

AT&T 4G here in C-Bus!


Murse

Recommended Posts

"AT&T rolls out 4G network

Central Ohio among first to get upgrade; devices going on sale

 

Saturday, February 19, 2011 02:51 AM

BY TIM FERAN

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

 

Central Ohio became a 4G site yesterday, with AT&T Ohio officials announcing the arrival of the high-speed wireless network to Columbus and surrounding communities.

 

"Over the last three years, AT&T has invested $57billion" in developing its national wireless and wireline network, said Tom Pelto, president of AT&T Ohio. That includes more than $160million locally and more than $1.4billion in Ohio.

 

The investment included upgrading 60 cell sites in central Ohio and bringing to 190 the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in the Columbus area.

 

In becoming one of the first cities to get the 4G network, Columbus also will be one of the first markets to gain access to new 4G devices. The Motorola Atrix 4G, for example, will go on sale locally Tuesday.

 

The Atrix 4G, exclusive to AT&T, has created a stir in tech circles because it not only is a smart phone but includes a docking device that allows it to be used as a laptop computer or home entertainment system.

 

"The Atrix comes with a remote," Pelto said, holding the phone in one hand and the small remote-control device in the other. "It is an HD phone. In other words, you can watch a Netflix video when it's docked into a monitor at home."

 

The Atrix 4G will cost $199 with a two-year contract.

 

The smart phone and the laptop dock will sell for $499.99 after a two-year service contract and $100 mail-in rebate.

 

Customers who choose to purchase the laptop dock separately pay $499.99.

 

AT&T also is offering a deal that includes a multimedia dock, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and a remote control for $189.99.

 

AT&T plans on introducing at least 20 such 4G devices by the end of the year.

 

"We're finally getting to utilize the full speed of the network," Pelto said, "and we're doing some upgrades, as well."

 

One analyst calls AT&T's rollout an improvement on the current 3G network but is cautious in his expectations of speed.

 

"It's faster and better than 3G," said Jeff Kagan, an Atlanta-based industry analyst. "And this device will be cool and will do what they say. I don't want to take down what they're doing, but it may not be as fast as what people are expecting for 4G."

 

As for the Atrix, "It is the next advance in the smart phone," Kagan said.

 

"This change is a natural progression. The average customer doesn't need all these features. All these features are for the young adults who live and breathe on social networks. But that's where the growth is."

 

Such youth appeal is partly why local officials praised the rollout.

 

"This can only lead back to creating more jobs," said Andrew Doehrel, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

 

"Ohio in 2005 was third in the nation in its (tech) infrastructure. We had a strong base then; but these days, six months ago is now ancient history. Without an investment like this, we were not going to keep pace."

 

Ted Ford, president and CEO of TechColumbus, a technology-business incubator, said that the widespread availability of mobile broadband benefits many industries and businesses in Columbus, such as companies that are developing medical monitors that work off smart phones.

 

"So the investment AT&T is making is really going to fuel their success," he said. "If we're going to grow central Ohio economically, we need to create high-value jobs that use technology."

 

tferan@dispatch.com"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hspa + is technically 3g technology.

 

yeah thats why i put it in quotes in my first post! its technically 3.5G

 

NOBODY has true "4G" because in order to have a true 4G network it must be capable of 100mbps download and 1mbps upload.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

here Krampu$ ill post again for you....

yeah thats why i put it in quotes in my first post! its technically 3.5G

 

NOBODY has true "4G" because in order to have a true 4G network it must be capable of 100mbps download and 1mbps upload.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I'm confused, I thought HSPA+ was in NY and other big markets already. We wouldn't be first for that. If the iPhone4 is capable of HSPA+ is there a icon on the phone to tell you that you are connected to the faster network? Like a + or something?

 

Depends on the device o/s. I know I get an "H" on my android, different than the "E" that shows my connection.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

you may be thinking of 3GPP LTE?

 

in Re: to iPhone 4 and 4G.... the current chip the is being used in the Verizon iPhone 4 is also capable of the HSPA+ band along with CDMA. but that does not mean its capable of connecting to it. in order to connect to GSM you need a SIM card and the Verizon phone has no place to use one. but rumor is is that they will continue to use that same chip in the iPhone 5 (cost savings) and the GSM version will be able to connect to "4G" / HSPA+.

 

Does that make sense?

 

sorry Krampu$ but i dont own a ford..... its ok tho

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...