AT&T's 3G upgrades to improve iPhone service

AT&T is upgrading its network and using 850MHz spectrum to beef up its 3G wireless network, which should help alleviate dropped calls and slow network connections for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S users.

Apple said this week that it sold more than a million of the iPhone 3G S model worldwide this past weekend after the phone went on sale Friday. Exactly how many of those phones were activated on AT&T's network in the U.S. isn't yet known, but the addition of more data intensive iPhones is likely to put a strain on the carrier's network.

That said, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel told the blog Gearlog on Tuesday that the company is ready for the onslaught of new iPhone users. One of the things it has been doing to prepare is upgrading its network so that it can offer 3G wireless service using its 850MHz spectrum licenses. For the most part, AT&T has been using spectrum in the 1900 MHz band to deliver its 3G services, which have become saturated, Gearlog explains. This means that as AT&T sells more 3G devices, such as the iPhone, it has been cramming more users into an ever more crowded spectrum band.

This could explain why some users have complained of dropped calls and slow Net connections using the iPhone 3G, an issue that CNET News pointed out nearly a year ago after the iPhone 3G was launched. The problem has been particularly acute in large cities, such as New York and San Francisco, where there is a concentrated base of iPhone users and where the 1900MHz spectrum is predominant.

Siegel says that upgrading equipment to allow AT&T to use its 850MHz spectrum for 3G services should help relieve some of the congestion issues. Because the 850MHz spectrum is at the low end of the frequency band, it is able to travel longer distances and penetrate walls more easily than signals on the 1900MHz band.

When asked about problems with dropped calls for iPhone 3G users a year ago, Siegel told CNET News that the company had been working to expand the portion of its 3G network that runs on the 850MHz band. Back then he downplayed the need for adding 850MHz spectrum for 3G services by saying that it "doesn't mean you can't get a good experience on 1900MHz."

Now Siegel thinks that adding 850MHz will make a big improvement, according to the Gearlog story.

"The 850, when it's turned on in individual markets, people notice a big difference," he is quoted as saying.

In addition to adding 850MHz 3G service, AT&T has also been making other improvements to its network, such as upgrading to the next iteration of HSDPA technology, which is expected to double download speeds on AT&T's network.

[Mweaver2k9]

To little to late ATT. You have already lost

[cvaldes1831]

For U.S. iPhone users, it's not too late because iPhone users here don't really have a choice of carriers. In any case, this benefits non-iPhone AT&T subscribers and hopefully accelerates competition between carriers to provide better mobile telephony service.

Our cellular network is utterly embarrassing compared to those in Southeast Asia and Europe. We should not be discouraging U.S. carriers from improving their pitiful offerings.

[BogusBasin]

I hate ATT. I love my iPhone. I will jump ship as soon as there is a choice.

Amen

[gefitz]

Anything that might decrease the possibility of ANY iPhone caller sounding like a cyborg (or cutting out altogether) is an improvement. However, it begs the question: If it rarely worked as a phone to begin with, why have the title of the device be five-sixths "phone"?

[scott2400]

Don't know where you are - but the experience with my iPhone has been quite good, no garbles, rarely dropped calls and overall as good as my previous PHONE, a Blackberry 8700 (on T-Mobile).

So.. another Apple hater bleats, and expects that the rest of the world will join in. Sorry.

[joythemechanicalboy]

First, it doesn't beg any questions: you use the term incorrectly. Second, this article is about data transmission speeds, not iphone hardware. And if the upgrades the article refers to make people sound less "like a cyborg," the problem lies in the network and not the phone. You seem to miss the point that there is a difference between signal reception and network congestion.

[Mike+1]

@scott2400

There is NO comparison between T-Mobile and AT&T, especially now that they have merged with Cingular and expaned their network and using 850MHz on their 3G wireless network, AT&T will be contenders with anyone. T-Mobile was worse than the old AT&T before the Cingular merge and that was bad.

[thelemurking]

T-Mobile has been a nightmare for SunCom users... My g/f has swapped out phones and simcards and still can't carry on a conversation more than 5 minutes before the call drops.

I don't know what it's like in other areas, but where I live, T-Mobile is horrible! Instead of coming in and putting in their own switches, they tried to retrofit the existing SunCom infrastructure to work with T-Mobile and it doesn't work for crap!

[monkeyfun14]

I thought higher frequencies were generally stronger.

[CA1900]

Nope, quite the opposite, for all practical purposes. The lower frequencies are better at penetrating buildings, so this will be a welcome addition.

[iunknowndude]

I really dont have many issues with att im glad that they are going to upgrade the network so that people can stop ******** about how much better the world would be if the iphone was on verizon. i actually hope it does make it to verizon to see if their "most reliable network" claims actually mean something with the data hungry iphone on "the Network". Att now is more prepared than any other carrier to handle the iphone because they know what they are dealing with in terms of data and user saturation if the iphone does go to verizon i have a feeling their network is gonnna hurt way more than att's.

[El_Gringo_Guapo]

850Mhz will definitely help with reception issues.

VZW runs on the 900Mhz band here in Los Angeles, which explains why coverage is so good on their network.

[bonesbautista]

Marguerite, ATTWS has upgraded dozens of cities with 850 overlays. I want ATTWS to set 850 as a priority instead of using 1900 as a default frequency. I'm tired of latching onto a weak 1900 antenna when I know there's a better signal-to-noise ratio with closer 850 antennas around me - I don't want to keep having to activate then deactivate Airplane Mode before I make a call so they don't sound like crap. About 1900-based calls sounding better - where can I get the same juice Siegal's sucking down? The day I made a call on WCDMA 850 I could tell the difference - day to 1900's murky-fuzzy-dark night and backhaul problems.

And 2100? Is ATTWS going back to sharing bandwidth with T-Mo in urban areas? That's good news to me. Whatever it takes to get ATTWS's voice quality to stop sucking is good by me.

The backhaul issue has been on their plate since last June, and they know it. They're still not done with the software upgrades?

[sudcm]

I'll believe it when I see it. I have been having issues with AT&T since I left Verizon for the iPhone which is only on AT&T here in the US. It's not about ******** about AT&T's service. I left one carrier for the other so it is easy to A/B the two carriers and my experience on Verizon was much much better. I live in Los Angeles and can only speak on my experience in my area.... not very good. I hope AT&T comes through with some drastic improvements to service or I will be one of the first in line to make the switch once the iPhone is available on another carrier.

[Jboggie619]

AT&T: MORE BS IN MORE PRESS RELEASES. What DOES AT&T do with all the cash they make? it doesn't seem to be going to any new towers that I've noticed, their national foot print and national 3g foot print has not gotten any bigger. I live in New Mexico and we only have 2 cities that are AT&T 3G capable and they are 300 miles apart, with VZW i had EV-DO wherever i had service, period. However, VZW phones are meant for old people and technologically retarded people. VZW when will you get the iPhone? Hopefully when you get LTE you can get the iPhone too, then I'll shut up.

[jcmark42]

I've been getting a lot of dropped calls lately and the internet on 3G is painfully slow ever since 3Gs hit the market. I hope AT&T fixes my area.

[Perry_Clease]

What area?

[myles taylor]

Same here, and I'm in Philadelphia. I never had a problem before but since this weekend my internet has been painfully slow.

[k1m0d0]

Dear Mr Siegel: You listed quite a number of enhancements to your 3G network. This real proof, of course, lies in the moment I can withdraw from my anger management sessions. If AT&Ts performance re the activation of the iphone 3GS is any indicator, I'm probably going to remain enrolled a bit longer

[phenixdragon]

AT&T doesn't use 3G for voice. They still use EDGE for voice and 3G is only used for data. This is why you can be on a phone call and still use data at the same time. Other companies such as Sprint use 3G for voice and data which is why when you are on a call you can not use data.

[markredf150]

I can understand you, phenix, being a Sprint customer it does suck not being able to use data on a call. But I don't understand how Apple informed us on the 3G talk time of the 3GS to match the 3G (5 hours), and 2G talk time bumped up to about double that. Can you use 3G for voice on the 3GS?

[phenixdragon]

markredf150, no you can't use 3G with the new 3GS phone. None of the phones on AT&T use 3G for talk. It's not the phone that doesn't allow it, it's AT&T on their end doing it. I think what they mean by the talk time is that the 3GS, in general, has a longer battery life. There for, talk time is going to be higher then before.

[phenixdragon]

And actually, it's not EDGE that is being used for voice. Basically it's just GSM is being used for voice.

[markredf150]

Ohhhh, okay, phenix, i got you

[abcd9009]

Is the 850 MHz frequency coming out of the TV signals which just went all digital or is this completely different from that?

[DosEquisXX]

Completely different. 850MHz is old school A and B side cellular frequencies. The converted TV frequencies are even lower in the 700MHz range. Verizon bought all of the choice frequencies that cover the entire US that they will be using for their 4G LTE. Frequencies at that level penetrate buildings very easily and travel very far.

[jruizisenberg]

You are all freaking slow even the reporter, the 2100 is not for Mhz, it's the damn amount of cell sites they will be putting up!, read at&t's PR.... WOW Hey reporter, research and read better before posting half assed news...

[twitter_1963]

Nothing annoys me more than the people who have NO problems with their AT&T / Iphone service who argue the people that do have problems are either Apple haters or wingers!

Facts:

1. This article *IS* about AT&T upgrading their network to deal with the problems they are aware of! AT&T do drop calls, AT&T doesn't work in major cities or through walls, 3G or voice
2. I LOVE APPLE *but* their decision to go with one of the worse US networks and now 2 years is, is an embarrassment for US Digital! People that come to the US think we are a joke.
3. I was with Verizon since before they were Verizon and my wife still is on it. Let me tell you, it JUST WORKS. I don't say that just because I want something to do. I was used to fantastic service all over the country and now I get c**p service all over the country. Verizon isn't perfect but it gets an 8/10 whereas I give AT&T a 4/10 at best!
4. Those that say they have NO problems with AT&T either don't travel, don't need data to be reliable (employed) or don't make many calls. I do all 3 and couldn't make up the places where my AT&T/Iphone just does not work without the "airplane mode ON/OFF" frig, in the hope I grab a more reliable tower.

AT&T, you are behind and so are your investment. Steve Jobs, now you are back to work, buy yourself out of the lock-in you've created with AT&T - it's shameful and goes against how "OPEN" Apple purports to be. PLEASE...

[sflocal]

For every one of your complaints about AT&T, I can prove to the contrary. It really is irrelevant. Every carrier in the U.S. has problems. Period. At the time, Verizon had its chance but decided to blow Apple off. Get over it. AT&T let Apple change the rules. Verizon most likely would have crippled the phone like they do all their other phones.

AT&T has worked for me without problems and many other colleagues can say the exact same thing.

Nothing annoys me more then people who rip on another carrier for problems that they also have. AT&T may not work well in your area. I can completely understand that. On the other hand, Verizon doesn't work in many areas too. So just let it go. I won't even go into discussion about Sprint.

I travel to Europe often, use the data plan constantly (and I have a 2g iPhone) and use it as my primary phone. It has worked reliably for me in all these situations. I am a systems engineer and I certainly have high expectations for mobile devices. This fits the bill for me and many other people.

The world does not revolve around you.

Have a nice day.

[Perry_Clease]

"2. I LOVE APPLE *but* their decision to go with one of the worse US networks and now 2 years is, is an embarrassment for US Digital! People that come to the US think we are a joke"

The joke is that the other carriers turned down Apple when the deals were first being made.

[Mike+1]

@sflocal
I doubt your claims even more than I doubt twitter63's claims. I own a company where we use a variety of phones and different carriers for different employees with different needs even though we could save some money by forcing everyone to use the same phones and/or same carriers. AT&T is now better, but a few years back they were as bad as T-Mobile and Sprint, which we no longer use. Verizon is the best choice for our Blackberry users, more coverage, better signals, less dropped calls than anyone in metro areas and in/around buildings. AT&T for our iPhones and some other phones used in suburbs and more rural areas where some employees need to travel.

Also, Verizon did not "blow Apple off" as stated, but rather they both made business (money motivated) decisions that ended with AT&T and Apple being partnered.

[ggore]

It's no wonder AT&T can't seem to get its act together and provide decent coverage for the WHOLE country. They are still building EDGE towers to replace the analog coverage area that they lost when they turned off the old analog signals that could reach 30-40 miles. And they offer 3G service in tiny little polkadot areas of the US that hasn't increased in area one bit in the past year. And now they are going to introduce 4G/LTE/HSDPA/whatever "nationwide" in the next few months, which in reality means one LTE-capable tower in New York and one in San Francisco with not a bit of coverage in between. AT&T will be having to keep THREE different technologies working an communicating with each other at once. That's a surefire recipe for success. They can't even cover the ENTIRE country with EDGE yet, and will probably be rolling out 6G before that happens, which I predict will never happen. By covering the entire country I mean being able to drive coast to coast north/south or east/west on an interstate highway and having coverage the entire distance, something that NO carrier is currently able to do. All carriers made it clear many years ago if you don't live within 3 miles of an interstate highway you aren't worthy of cellphone coverage.

[skycorgan]

I have an iPhone, and I also have a VZW Broadband Connection for my laptop as an external device for work. As I travel along the northeast corridor frequently, I can tell you that there are certain places where my Broadband Connection on the train will not work, but my iPhone is flawless; there are places where my iPhone doesn't work, but my Broadband Connection is flawless. Finally, there are places where both stink out loud.

The reality of wireless transmission technology is that it isn't perfect, and no service has 100% coverage; the fact that any carrier claims otherwise, I can show them a dozen large holes from memory on a map in the Northeast corridor, one of the most populated areas of the US.

[ender21]

Wow, this is probably the most objective post I've seen here in a long time!

Thanks for the observations skycorgan, and the dose of reality!

If AT&T wants to "Improve their network" - they could start by using some of their million of $$$ in iPhone profits to build some towers!

I live 4 miles form an interstate highway - and 7 miles from the center of a Big Ten University - and I have ZERO AT&T bars here.

[jonburce_ddt]

This is all very well, but for those markets that suffer without 850 Mhz as there is a unfair domination of CDMA providers (NC and souther VA being key examples) So in 1900 Mhz only markets the only praitical solution is taht AT&T opts to deploy many more cell sites to further sub-divide the limited 50 Mhz spectrum that they have at their disposal.

The FCC remains clueless and toothless in this regard and as part of the on-going market divestment as part of VZW-Alltel merger should be looking at this issue as a priority as it is patently anti-competitive.

[mpitogo]

Well if it isn't a year late...GRRR. That is something they should have been looking at when iPhone was Edge and 1.0 not now when 3G S is out. ATT is still behind the curve. Like most people I love my iPhone but half the experience is the network and its dam slow even in NYC or PA area. I was in downtown Philly yesterday with 5 bars and NO data transfer, nothing was working... as soon as I leave the city limits I'm back online with data. 5 bars means nothing when data isn't being pushed to our devices. How can they claim nations fastest when I barely get anything while my Verizon EVDO RevA card is screaming on my MBAir. They're even so far behind on tethering and MMS. These are things I've had for years before the iPhone, but they were on edge. The light is when Apple decides to be carrier agnostic and everyone wants to compete for the iPhone service. The successful networks are the ones who provide the best service. ATT is only gaining market because of the popularity, once the exclusivity is gone, so will the iPhone users in a mass exodus.

[moav]

I believe AT&T is the best option for Americans since Verizon is largely owned by the Brits and T-Mobile the Germans AT&T has been pushing copper and wire into the American heartland for years. Also, i believe they beat Verizon to Union representation and allowed for handguns at work and breast feeding moms and work prior to Verizon and T-mobile.