3G wireless networks are now offered by all four of the major U.S. wireless providers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. You’ll find 3G mostly in urban or metropolitan areas, and you need a 3G-capable phone or notebook PC to access it. (Some notebooks now have built-in access; otherwise, you need an aircard or tethered phone.) All of the mobile providers expanded their 3G networks during 2008. As the market expands and access speeds become faster, more data subscribers are coming on board—especially with the introduction of the Apple iPhone 3G and other well-appointed 3G handsets. Here’s a closer look at current and future offerings.


Today’s 3G Networks & Technologies

AT&T and T-Mobile use the HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) standard based on GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) networks. Verizon Wireless and Sprint use the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-based EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized) Rev. A.

AT&T. In 2008, AT&T aggressively expanded its network in preparation for the iPhone 3G release in July 2008. The company forecast 3G availability of its Broadband-Connect service in 350 major markets by the end of 2008. AT&T also upgraded its 3G network to deploy its HSPA technology fully in both uplinks (HSUPA) and downlinks (HSDPA), bringing typical download speeds of 700Kbps to 1.7Mbps and upload speeds of 500Kbps to 1.2Mbps to its network. AT&T’s signature 3G phones include the Apple iPhone 3G and the BlackBerry Bold.

Sprint. As of November 2008, Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network coverage area included 218 major markets and 1,002 airports. Sprint began upgrading its EVDO network to the faster Rev. A in 2006, and most of the company’s mobile broadband network now uses this technology.

Sprint Mobile Broadband devices that are EVDO Rev. A-capable operate at average download speed ranges of 450 to 800Kbps with peak rates up to 3.1Mbps and at average upload speeds of 300 to 400Kbps with peak rates up to 1.8Mbps. Sprint’s first EVDO Rev. A consumer handset was the Samsung Instinct, a touchscreen phone introduced in June 2008.

T-Mobile. Due to network capacity issues, T-Mobile got a late start with 3G compared to other carriers. The company’s first 3G network debuted in New York City in May 2008. T-Mobile is rapidly expanding 3G availability; it ramped up to bring coverage to 120 major cities as of November 2008.

As with A&T, T-Mobile’s 3G network uses UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)/HSPDA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology, delivering download speeds of up to 1Mbps. The current favorite T-Mobile 3G handset is the G1 (with the Google-backed Android mobile operating system), introduced in October 2008.

Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless began offering 3G broadband in 2003. It has continued to build out and enhance its network, and as of June 2007, EVDO Rev. A technology was available throughout. In November 2008, the provider’s BroadbandAccess service was available in 258 major metro areas and 244 primary airports.

Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess customers with Rev. A-compatible devices can expect average download speeds of 600Kbps to 1.4Mbps and average upload speeds of 500 to 800Kbps. The leading 3G-capable smartphones from Verizon Wireless include the LG Dare and the BlackBerry Storm.


What’s Coming: 4G

All four wireless providers intend to expand and enhance their 3G networks in the coming months. Some of the enhancements will include movement toward the next-generation network technologies: LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). These 4G networks could provide dramatic improvements, with eventual download speeds of up to 100Mbps.

AT&T plans to move to HSPA+ (Evolved HSPA) and then LTE, with the hope of launching LTE in 2010. T-Mobile has also announced its intention to move to LTE for its 4G technology. And like AT&T, Verizon Wireless plans to launch an LTE network in 2010.

Choosing to deploy WiMAX instead, Sprint is in the process of combining its Xohm WiMAX business assets with partners such as Google and Intel to form a new joint venture called Clearwire. In the mean time, Baltimore experienced the first Xohm deployment in October 2008.

by Carmen Carmack