That was really smart on AT&T's part. Aloha Partners won the FCC auction in 2001/2003. Spending $2.5 billion is probably cheaper than bidding for it in January. I guess this explains why they didn't have plans to expand their already existent 3G Spectrum. They can use this spectrum for 3G/4G. Since it's their spectrum, they own it, they can use it solely for AT&T Mobility and forget about the 1900MHZ. They'll have to keep the 1900mhz spectrum up and running because they can't just shutdown their network. Many users would have their 3G disabled on their phones. The 3G networks already standing are being upgraded to HSUPA but don't expect them to be expanded geographically. 1900mhz UMTS/HSDPA will be phased out. Unfortunately, that means your current 3.5G phone will be incompatible. :(
I found it strange that since AT&T took over Cingular, the 3G rollover stopped.
According to data found here: http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/10/09/att-buys-700mhz-from-aloha/ that means it'll be a 1/4 of the price per 1000 sq miles if they switch to 700mhz. 4x cheaper, 4x the coverage per site. They need this to catch up to Verizon and Sprint. All they need a 1/4 of the number of towers as them and they'll catch up. If their devices run on 700mhz, it won't suck up so much power increasing battery life and also increasing propagation (4x). AT&T must have had its eye on this for a while.
“There's a certain feeling of wading through water with this phone, as every time we went exploring the menus, we were met with a delay long enough to make us doubt our keystrokes registered.”
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
That was really smart on AT&T's part. Aloha Partners won the FCC auction in 2001/2003. Spending $2.5 billion is probably cheaper than bidding for it in January. I guess this explains why they didn't have plans to expand their already existent 3G Spectrum. They can use this spectrum for 3G/4G. Since it's their spectrum, they own it, they can use it solely for AT&T Mobility and forget about the 1900MHZ. They'll have to keep the 1900mhz spectrum up and running because they can't just shutdown their network. Many users would have their 3G disabled on their phones. The 3G networks already standing are being upgraded to HSUPA but don't expect them to be expanded geographically. 1900mhz UMTS/HSDPA will be phased out. Unfortunately, that means your current 3.5G phone will be incompatible. :(
I found it strange that since AT&T took over Cingular, the 3G rollover stopped.
According to data found here: http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/10/09/att-buys-700mhz-from-aloha/ that means it'll be a 1/4 of the price per 1000 sq miles if they switch to 700mhz. 4x cheaper, 4x the coverage per site. They need this to catch up to Verizon and Sprint. All they need a 1/4 of the number of towers as them and they'll catch up. If their devices run on 700mhz, it won't suck up so much power increasing battery life and also increasing propagation (4x). AT&T must have had its eye on this for a while.