xenophon
join:2007-09-17
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
3 edits | ATT probably couldn't do 300Mbps
I assume ATT would put LTE at the 700mhz spectrum they acquired. They only have 12Mhz spectrum in each market, which might be able to get 60Mbps-120Mbps if I recall (still great, but not like the 1Gbps theoretical max Sprint can eventually do with WiMAX 802.16m with the near 100Mhz spectrum they have per market).
Unless they have available nationwide spectrum in some other band, I think they are limited to 12Mhz in the 700mhz space.
ATT seems to have trouble providing enough backhaul too. Their HSPA performance is not exceeding EVDO in the real world even though the theoretical limits are higher. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·DSL EXTREME
| Its possible that they'd use LTE @ 700MHz, but I don't think they have enough spectrum (unless they win some during auctions).
I would expect that long term, AT&T would want to use spectrum for LTE thats compatible with other countries for roaming, as its a real cash cow. Currently there are ~200 million UMTS/HSDPA subs globally, and ~100 million EVDO.
I don't expect any real LTE outside of a large metro for at least a couple of years.
As far as HSPA performance, the average user probably doesn't care for 1.4Mbps vs. 2Mbps as long as they have service where/when they need it. On that part, AT&T is way behind.
The 700MHz spectrum would be great for rural areas though.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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xenophon
join:2007-09-17
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| Yeah, a good point that ATT probably wouldn't use 700mhz for LTE since it's not globally available. But where else would they put LTE? Is there enough bandwidth in the GSM/HSPA spectrum currently used?
If they do use LTE at 700mhz, they'll of course have to supply phones with radios that support 700mhz LTE as well as other spectrum used globally. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| Well, technically AT&T has a lot of spectrum in many markets.
Many markets have Cell A or B AND typically 10MHz of PCS.
Some markets there's cell A, B and PCS (parts of Texas and, if I'm not mistaken eastern Florida).
I suspect that some of the 700MHz spectrum purchased will complement some of that newly auctioned 700MHz spectrum, however will be primarily used for U.S. based. Roaming for now will have to remain GSM/UMTS on 850/1900, where devices and roaming agreements exist.
100MHz of 2.5GHz is obviously a little gold mine, as far as spectrum goes... Sprint has just got to get it deployed and start selling the business to get its revenue stream rolling.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | reply to xenophon
With both you can sacrifice speed for distance. So they tell it to never allow above X and therefore it can provide greater coverage. If they uppped the speed they'd lose coverage to an extent. |
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RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | reply to xenophon
Don't forget that they are decommissioning a lot of AMPS and TDMA equipment this month, which should open up some space.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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wombough
join:2001-08-30
Beaufort, SC | reply to en102
they have plenty from aloha they just bought and was approved recently! |
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