How does
AT&T’s new local 4G LTE coverage compare to Sprint’s?
and still rolling more out, said
Tony Adams in the Ledger-Inquirer,
Update: AT&T adds cell sites outside Columbus, launches yearly smartphone upgrade plan July 26,
AT&T has 4G in the Columbus market, but not the faster LTE. A check
of the firm’s coverage map shows virtually every other major metro
area in Georgia with LTE, while many smaller communities in the
state also have the top-of-the-line service.Elsas, in a statement, said the company uses HSPA+ technology
locally and those 4G speeds “are incredibly fast — up to
four times faster than 3G.” But she also acknowledged there is
work to be done on adding spectrum, or capacity, to the Columbus
network.
“As far as LTE, there is currently a lack of available
spectrum in Columbus, and we are working hard to address
this,” the statement said. “In the meantime,
we continue
to invest in technology, strengthen our network and seek
opportunities to offer the best wireless experience possible in the
region.”
“Possible” of course includes they can milk profits out of it.
I’ve got no objection to a business making a profit, but the incumbents have been
holding back U.S. Internet access speeds for a decade or more because they could
roll in the dough from what they already had out there, and I’m more than a little
sceptical that that philosophy has changed at T or VZ.
Although the fear of
being outflanked by Sprint
may have something to do with these recent rollouts.
The company has said it now has 4G LTE in 328 markets, serving 225
million people. It expects to complete a nationwide rollout of LTE
by the end of 2014. Nearly 90 percent should be up and running by
the end of this year, however. AT&T has invested $3.9 billion in
Georgia since 2010.“We are certainly not finished here in Georgia, and we value
and appreciate our Columbus-area customers’ understanding and
support as we work hard to make the necessary improvements they
expect and deserve,” the statement from Elsas said.
Eventually, but don’t hold your breath.
Todd Haselton wrote for TechoBuffalo 19 June 2013,
AT&T Activates Six New LTE Cities, Total Now at 284 Markets,
AT&T says it’s still on track to cover 300 million people in the
United States by the end of 2014 but that more than 200 million
people already have access to 4G LTE. The carrier’s network was
recently dubbed the
fastest in the United States by PCMag, though
Verizon currently offers a more expansive network.
Meanwhile, according to
Nationwide, Verizon Wireless’ LTE network covers 298 million people
in 500 markets.
Hm, so VZ has already done what T promises to do by next year.
And Verizon’s local coverage is still much broader.
Any competition is still better than no competition.
-jsq