PhoneScoop posted an article about the recent announcements by Cingular and AT&T Wireless touting GSM infrastructure improvements. This is a good step, but I am still upset about the way the transition to GSM 850 is being handled. For instance, when AT&T Wireless announced GSM America, the release said:
During the last 12 months, we have added or improved 15,000 cell sites, including those added through roaming agreements in major cities with Cingular Wireless and other GSM carriers….
In addition to expanding its reach, we continue to aggressively improve the quality our GSM network. In many major markets, we have installed hardware and software that significantly improves our customers’ wireless calling experience…. The new hardware and software lets callers with compatible GSM/GPRS devices use the 850-megahertz band of the radio spectrum, which generates a stronger signal than the 1900-megahertz band, travels over larger areas, and penetrates walls better….
I am summarizing a couple of paragraphs here, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to conclude from AT&T Wireless’ press release that the 850 GSM upgrade has been underway for a year. If that’s the case:
- Why have they continued selling 1800/1900-megahertz GSM phones in markets where they are building an 850 GSM infrastructure?
- Was it because no handset manufacturers could deliver GSM-compatible handsets on the 850 mHz band until 2Q 2004?
- How many 850 GSM-compatible handsets are available from AT&T Wireless today?
I feel like a broken record on this.
Finally, as a GSM / wireless data geek, I am really interested in EDGE. So, I am pleased that Cingular is pushing the technology so quickly in its service areas. Where’s T-Mobile on EDGE deployment? I’ll have to find out.