Shortly after a release by T-Mobile announcing the expansion of it’s HSPA+ network in the northeast, AT&T responded that it is not happy with the claims. In a press release from T-Mobile’s, they state “Our competitors are asking consumers to pay more for faster wireless service with limited coverage and very few capable devices. In contrast, T-Mobile is already delivering 4G speeds today to customers and we continue to make major leaps in expanding our…mobile broadband footprint.” AT&T though says “…companies need to be careful that they’re not misleading customers by labeling HSPA+ as a 4G technology.”
Looking at what defines 4G, there is no official way to define what comprises one of the next generation networks. Sprint has partnered with Clear to roll out a 4G Wi-MAX network currently capable of download speeds of approximately 5Mbps. T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network is currently capable of download speeds in the range of 10Mbps.
For the next few years, consumers will find themselves in an extremely transitional time, where back-haul remains the choking point for the carriers as fiber infrastructure is implemented, replacing the legacy copper that has served cell sites for the past 2 decades.
Source: Fierce Wireless
Mickey Papillon
Joey Koppes
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