AT&T Mobility adds details to HSPA 7.2 plans: Carrier also joins off-network bandwagon

AT&T Mobility has put numbers to its plans to increase the data throughput its customers should expect to see when using its network. The nation’s No. 2 carrier said it plans to have six markets covered with its highly-anticipated HSPA 7.2 network upgrades by the end of the year. The upgrades will include both new network software as well as increased backhaul capabilities for cell sites and will support maximum downlink transmission speeds up to 7.2 megabits per second. The carrier’s current HSPA offering is capped at the older 3.6 Mbps rate.
The six markets slated for the initial upgrade include Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; and Charlotte, N.C. AT&T Mobility said it plans to cover 25 of the nation’s top 30 markets by the end of 2010 and reach 90% of its existing footprint by the end of 2011. The additional network backhaul capacity is also expected to support the carrier’s plans to eventually rollout LTE-based 4G technology beginning in 2011. AT&T Mobility said the increased backhaul would include connections carrying traffic back to its IP backbone.
However, to take advantage of the higher-speeds, customers will have to purchase devices with compatible radios. AT&T Mobility said it plans to have six 7.2-compatible handsets and two modem cards in its portfolio by the end of the year. The current Apple Inc. iPhone 3GS reportedly supports the 7.2 standard.
AT&T Mobility’s network enhancements have come on the heels of considerable public scorn for the carrier’s network capabilities. Analysts have noted that much of the complaining is tied to the proliferation of customers using the iPhone that encourages data traffic through its easy-to-use Web browser and ample applications available from Apple’s App Store. AT&T Mobility has tried to head off criticism with enhancement plans that include the transitioning of its 3G network from the initial use of 1.9 GHz spectrum to its 850 MHz spectrum bands that offer greater propagation properties. The carrier said it has completed 90% of its planned rollout of 3G services in the 850 MHz band.
AT&T Mobility has also aggressively expanded the number of Wi-Fi hotspots customers can access to more than 20,000 in the U.S., including offering free access to iPhone users in an attempt to divert some of the cellular radio traffic to more localized networks.
AT&T Mobility’s HSPA 7.2 plans are also seen as a way for the carrier to counter plans by rival Verizon Wireless to begin rolling out its LTE network later this year. The industry’s No. 1 carrier has said it will have LTE networks up and running in Boston and Seattle by the end of this year and up to 100 million potential customers covered with the technology by the end of 2010. Initial LTE devices are expected to be limited to modem cards, but network speeds are expected to be in excess of 10 Mbps.
All in the family
In addition to its network enhancements, AT&T Mobility is set to join the cross-network unlimited calling fraternity with its AT&T A-List with Rollover plan that will allow customers to make unlimited calls to five numbers regardless of carrier on individual plans and up to 10 numbers on family plans.
AT&T Mobility’s A-List plans will be available starting Sept. 20 for no additional charge to customers on individual plans beginning at $60 per month and family plans beginning at $90 per month. The carrier said customers would be able to manage their choice of numbers through their online account manager.
The plan is similar to offerings pioneered by SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc. and Alltel Corp.’s MyCircle, which was then joined by nationwide operator T-Mobile USA Inc.’s myFaves offering. Verizon Wireless’ acquisition of Alltel led to the carrier launching a similar Friends & Family plan. Sprint Nextel Corp. has trialed a similar offering in select markets, but has yet to rollout plans across its network.