AT&T 3G going 850 MHz by 2010... nationwide

[Sayeed]

According to AT&T Mobility CEO, Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's 3G network is going to migrate the 3G data services off higher frequency 1900MHz band and on deliver it to 850MHz, which will give better range and reliability. The big cities are the one who will see this, such as New York and San Francisco. This will all happen at the end of 2009.
Downside? Customers with the 2G limited devices (EDGE) will now have to deal with shorter range 1900MHz band, which some may have already witnessed the drop in performance.

via: The Engadget Interview: Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility - Engadget

 

[Christian Jankulov]

cool, i'm glad i'm on this network

 

[Man Egg L Two]

They made the worst move ever!

I'm sorry AT&T:sad:.

 

[Jan T]

Does AT&T even have 850MHz coverage or licenses nationwide?

 

[Leather Neck]

They would have both.

I'm not sure of T-Mobile's primary coverage MHz...but T-Mobile is basically AT&T's only roaming partner.

 

[nos]

Except for one area (former Suncom area), T-Mobile is 1900MHz nationwide. I just know that there are areas where AT&T doesn't have 850MHz licenses, so the notion of them going 850MHz nationwide sort of perplexes me; hence the question. I would think that in those areas where they have dual licenses (850MHz and 1900MHz), they would offer 3G on the 850MHz band and 2G/EDGE on the 1900MHz band. I believe the problem with this plan is capacity and obviously those customers who still have 2G/EDGE.