We have some good news for AT&T’s iPhone customers in New York, New Jersey and Long Island.
AT&T has announced that they have strengthened its 3G mobile broadband network in these areas, which should improve the connectivity, performance and enhanced in-building wireless coverage.
AT&T has issued the following press statement:
AT&T* today announced a substantial strengthening of its 3G mobile broadband wireless network where it has deployed spectrum in the 850 MHz band across large portions of metro New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. As a result, customers in these areas should experience better connectivity, performance and enhanced in-building wireless coverage.
They have gone on to explain the steps taken to improve quality and coverage:
The 850 MHz spectrum was deployed for 3G use at more than 1,600 cell sites in metro New York, Long Island and New Jersey. It is considered a high-quality spectrum, which generally results in better in-building coverage. While specific benefits of the additional 3G spectrum will vary by location, AT&T 3G customers should see improved quality and coverage throughout New York City, Long Island and New Jersey where 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed. AT&T technicians nationwide responsible for monitoring network performance for service quality and coverage have seen significant increases in total 3G data traffic in areas where the 850MHz spectrum has been deployed.
One of the biggest complaints from AT&T's iPhone users have been poor network coverage. So it’s good to see AT&T taking steps to address the problem.
This exercise is part of the initiative that AT&T had announced back in May. AT&T had announced plans to upgrade its network to HSPA 7.2 3G wireless technology topping out at 7.2 Mbps, double the current speed of 3.6 Mbps to deliver even faster 3G mobile broadband speeds.
We would love to know if you’re seeing improved quality and coverage if you live in New York, New Jersey and Long Island areas.
[via AT&T]
Not a difference at all. I work in Midtown Manhattan and live in the suburbs in Rockland County and my download speeds in Midtown are still under a quarter of what they are in Rockland County.
I absolutely see a difference. I live in central Jersey, and I never had a good signal at my house – always Edge, and not very strong. In parts of the house I couldn't make a call at all. OK, so I'm out in the sticks. But within a mile I'd see 3G.
Maybe a week ago I started seeing 3G at the house, and a strong voice signal as well. So *somethings* improved.
My calls always drop when I walk home from work (in Midtown) around 30th street. It happened yesterday, and it will probably happen today. Obviously, I see no difference.
It may help if you reset the phone to get the effects of the update.
I noticed a difference yesterday, definitely. I never had 3G service at my job until yesterday. I even noticed that in a normally blacked out back room now has 3 bars of 3G service!
With Verizon I used to get service on the Long Island Railroad all the way through the tunnel into Penn Station. After being with AT&T for 2 years, I still get no service once the train goes into the tunnel and intermittent signal dropouts along the way before that. Haven't seen any improvements in the last 2 years.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. I'm two blocks from Times Square and had a call that dropped 9 TIMES today!!
CLASS ACTION SUIT DESIRED!!
What about the rest of us?
- Update: I was in NewYork today. Calls where dropping frequently. In fact, I can see full coverage on my iphone but still calls were droping. Most of the times I could see cases of voice breaking. NO improvement AT&T. Try hard again!
I wish they would stop doing this for the people who already have it, and start using the money I pay them to actually get the service going in other places. I live in a really rural place though, so I doubt I'll ever get 3G here.
We don't even get high speed internet here though. You have a choice of dial up, or satellite internet (Hughes Net, which is what I am on. It is a LOT slower than dial up, but at least it doesn't tie up the phone cords. They give you a download limit of 300 mb a day, but that is laughable. I doubt you would have time to download more than 50 in a day).