AT&T Wireless today announced the launch of its 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network – the first in the United States. The UMTS network, built in collaboration with NTT DoCoMo, is based on GSM/GPRS/EDGE technology that supports data rates up to 384kbps and is estimated to cost $200 million.
“When, as we expect, ATT Wireless merges with Cingular later this year, we will be delivering to Cingular one heck of a wireless data infrastructure,” said John Zeglis, AT&T Wireless Chairman and CEO, in a teleconference today. “With the combined spectrum of the merged companies, the new Cingular can be a potent force in the world of 3G, able to offer the most expansive portfolio of wireless data solutions in all of North America.”
Cingular’s acquisition of AT&T Wireless is expected to close later this fall. Cingular announced its own commitment to UMTS, issuing an RFP to vendors in late June. It is planning trials in Atlanta this summer and could begin rolling out services in 2005. Like AT&T Wireless, Cingular is planning to deploy an enhanced version of UMTS called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), which will offer speeds with peak data rates up to 14.4Mbps. The mobile operator is counting on its acquisition of AT&T Wireless to give it the spectrum it needs to deliver the high-speed service, according to a Cingular press statement.
AT&T Wireless’ UMTS service -- also known as wideband CDMA (w-CDMA) -- is available to customers in Phoenix, Detroit, San Francisco and Seattle. Dallas and San Francisco markets are scheduled for turn up by the end of the year. Zeglis declined to share additional market targets, but noted that the core network has more capacity than will be required by the six named markets and is expandable in increments.
The wireless broadband service turns these markets into “metropolitan hotspots,” said Zeglis. The data service will deliver speeds from 220kbps to 320 kbps and burstable up to 384kbps. “What does that mean for customers? Well, we have been talking about streaming video for years. Today the talk stops; the network is in place and the devices are ready, so let the action begin,” said Zeglis, noting multimedia applications supported over the network. “With UMTS, customers will send and receive high-quality streaming audio and video, not a choppy glorified slide show. Think Charlize Theron, not Charlie Chaplin.”
Zeglis says that the service also will be a link to business applications, such as access to the Web or LANs. Customers can select from any of AT&T Wireless GSM calling plans for voice services and can receive a monthly unlimited enhanced mMode plan for $24.99. Premium content from RealNetworks Inc. is an additional $5 per month. Businesses can purchase unlimited data access for $79.99 monthly.
Customers can access the new service using the Motorola A845 ($299.99) or Nokia 6651 ($299.99) handsets, which can be used to make voice calls or access wireless data connections at speeds equivalent to standard wired dial up service, when customers travel outside the four initial markets. The company said it is also offering a UMTS modem developed jointly by Lucent and Novatel ($149.99 with rebate). Mobile professionals will be able to use the modem or the handsets’ Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly enable Internet and e-mail access using HP handhelds and notebook PCs.
Zeglis says network interface cards will be backward compatible to GSM/GPRS but not to EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution). AT&T Wireless rolled out its EDGE network in fall 2003. The service is available across the United States in more than 7,500 cities and in areas along more than 30,000 miles of highways. Customers can expect to receive average data speeds between 100kbps to 130kbps, with bursts to 200kbps, when using the modem card and a laptop. In addition to the wireless modem card, AT&T Wireless has several EDGE handsets available that can also be used as modems for wireless connections.
“We think the full suite of backward-compatible modes [is] the order of the day,” Zeglis said, hinting at future releases. He said that the beauty of following the world standard is that many vendors are working on such challenges.
