AT&T plans to double the download speeds of its current 3G network by 2011, hoping to begin upgrading its 3G infrastructure before the end of 2009.
The massive upgrade -- including expanding 3G coverage from 350 up to 370 networks -- has already been included in its 2009 fiscal spending budget of $17.5 billion.
The company's High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network technology delivers 3 megabits per second, but could be as fast as 7.2 megabits per second by 2011. Realistic networks speeds vary drastically depending on usage area and how many other users are operating on the 3G network using a smartphone or a notebook network card.
Speeds will probably rarely reach 7.2 MBps, but there should be some noticeable speed increase for AT&T subscribers, which will be something to look forward to.
"AT&T's network infrastructure gives us a tremendous advantage in that we're able to deliver upgrades in mobile broadband speed and performance with our existing technology platform," AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets CEO Ralph de la Vega said in a statement."
AT&T's network upgrade will force subscribers to purchase new smartphones and notebook network cards once the network has been upgraded to the faster 7.2 megabits per second speed.
The launch of the Apple iPhone 3G apparently caused a bit of chaos for AT&T, which reportedly wasn't prepared for the flood of new 3G users. AT&T has clawed back, but looks for a major speed overhaul as even more subscribers begin to use the faster, more expensive network on their iPhones and other smartphones.
The company also announced it hopes to have its 4G LTE mobile broadband network available for public testing in 2011, and will continue to rely on its 3G network until then. AT&T competitor Verizon Wireless previously said it will test its LTE network in 30 markets starting sometime next year.
