AT&T will start upgrading its 3G network for faster upload speeds using HSUPA starting next quarter, the carrier told Wireless Week today.
AT&T launched W-CDMA/HSDPA in 16 cities in late 2005 and has been continuing to roll out new cities since then. Starting next quarter it will initiate the upgrade on the uplink side of the network. HSUPA increases the upload speeds from about 120 Kbps to 500-to-800 Kbps.
Richard Burns, AT&T’s wireless services president, told Reuters the ability to upload content like video is becoming more important to the operator’s subscribers.
With the current economic climate, wireless operators face shrinking marketing budgets and reduced consumer spending.
Globally, the credit crunch is very much alive, and operators will be tightening their belts into the foreseeable future by putting off capital purchases.
