AT&T has rolled out HSPA+ to 80 percent of its network map, according to numbers put forth by the company today.
Consumers and the media criticized AT&T throughout 2010 because it failed to keep up with data demand. HSPA+ should help allay that criticism because it promises a two and a half times better performance than regular HSPA.
Notably, the HSPA+ network only covers AT&T USB modems because no HSPA+ mobile devices have come out. This indicates that AT&T is waiting for the development of their own 4G LTE network sometime in 2011.
HSPA+ is the same 21 Mbps version that T-Mobile dubs the “first wireless 4G network.” AT&T could claim to run 4G too, though it’s doubtful they will get into that shouting match since they already have far more subscribers than T-Mobile. To me, it’s a strange time for AT&T to have undertaken such an endeavor. Why roll out HSPA+ with no devices to run the waves save for AT&T USB modems? Beats me. I’m sure the folks with those modems will be happy though.
