On Mar 3, 5:30*pm, Dennis Ferguson <dcfergu...@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
> > Every AT&T cell installation now includes the equipment for 4G. It is
> > merely a matter of switching it on next year. The BIG DOG plans whom
> > he is going to bite next.
>
> Do you have a link for that? *I know AT&T now pulls fiber to
> cell sites where ever possible, something which isn't strictly
> necessary for 3G at the speeds they're running now but which
> will be necessary for any future speed upgrades, either 3G or
> Dennis Ferguson
As a matter of fact I have several links. I can always prove what I
assert. Here is a recent link that indicates what BIG DOG is doing
while the little dogs sleep.
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pi...rticleid=30493
Summary for the USENET LAZY
Feb 10, 2010
Today in a press release, AT&T announced that it will be purchasing
equipment from telecom manufacturers Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson to
build out its 4G LTE network.
AT&T has field trials of LTE planned for later this year, with
commercial deployment sometime in 2011.
If everything goes according to plan, the carrier lovingly nicknamed
the Death Star will start rolling out 2,000 new 3G cell sites in
2010.
Terms of the agreement between the three companies ensure that any new
3G equipment that is deployed will have the capability to be easily
converted to LTE for the 2011 roll out.
Also note: Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson currently supply AT&T with
their 3G networking equipment.
Now actual announcement with details from AT&T on rollout of 4G in
2011 using LTE (long post)
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pi...rticleid=30493
AT&T Selects LTE Equipment Suppliers
Agreements with Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson Extend Existing 3G
Relationships to Cover Planned Deployment of Next-Generation LTE
Mobile Broadband Network
Dallas, Texas, February 10, 2010
AT&T Inc.* today announced the selection of Alcatel-Lucent and
Ericsson as equipment suppliers for the planned deployment of its
higher-speed LTE mobile broadband network.
The selection of the two suppliers paves the way for AT&Ts planned
field trials of LTE technology later this year, with commercial
deployment scheduled to begin in 2011. AT&Ts LTE rollout schedule
aligns with industry expectations for development of LTE technology
and widespread availability of equipment and compatible LTE mobile
devices. The supplier agreements also complement AT&Ts plans to make
the nations fastest 3G network even faster in advance of LTE networks
and devices scaling, allowing the company to continue delivering the
most advanced mobile broadband experience in the nation.
After testing equipment from multiple suppliers in the field and in a
lab environment, AT&T chose to extend existing relationships with
Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson, which provide equipment for the AT&T 3G
network today. Continued work with these two suppliers will enable
AT&T not only to incorporate high-performance LTE equipment, but also
to take full advantage of compatibility between the suppliers
existing 3G equipment and forthcoming LTE upgrades. As part of the
supplier agreements, 3G equipment delivered to AT&T by the suppliers
starting this year will be easily convertible to LTE, enabling AT&T to
upgrade existing equipment and software rather than install entirely
new equipment in many cases as it deploys the next-generation
technology.
LTE, or Long-Term Evolution, is the next generation of the existing
GSM/UMTS mobile broadband technology platform that powers the AT&T 3G
network today. LTE technology could eventually deliver higher mobile
broadband throughput and lower latency than todays 3G networks,
helping to drive continued growth of powerful mobile applications and
advanced devices. AT&T customers will also benefit from compatibility,
with devices expected to interoperate between 3G and LTE networks.
The selection of Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson is an important step
forward in our ongoing mobile broadband strategy, which is focused on
delivering the best possible combination of speed, performance and
available devices for customers at every level of technology
deployment, said John Stankey, president and CEO, AT&T Operations.
AT&T has a key advantage in that LTE is an evolution of the existing
GSM family of technologies that powers our network and the vast
majority of the worlds global wireless infrastructure today. As some
competitors move away from their existing investment in niche 3G
platforms, we are able to efficiently and quickly move toward LTE
while enhancing our existing 3G performance and providing access to a
strong ecosystem of customer devices.
With this important step, AT&T is sending a clear and strong signal
about its commitment to the evolution of the broadband wireless
networks and to supporting the next generation of mobile applications.
We look forward to joining AT&T on this journey and see this as a
starting point for further collaboration with AT&T to deliver an end-
to-end IP solution for mobile broadband, said Alcatel-Lucent CEO Ben
Verwaayen. This announcement expands on our long-standing
relationship with AT&T one that covers everything from 3G HSPA
infrastructure to network monitoring and management and speaks
volumes about the confidence and trust they have in our leadership in
LTE technology and our ability to deliver a smooth end-to-end
migration path to LTE.
Our ability to work together to meet the demands of a rapidly
changing market has been a crucial element in gaining AT&Ts continued
confidence, said Hans Vestberg, president and CEO, Ericsson. We will
work just as hard to secure a smooth rollout of LTE and support AT&T
in introducing new consumer and business services moving forward."
As part of the agreements, AT&T has designated Alcatel-Lucent and
Ericsson as the domain suppliers for its Radio Access Network Domain.
The multi-year agreement covers radio access network equipment needed
to deliver LTE service. This equipment will be deployed at cell sites
across AT&Ts network to enable LTE speeds and functionality.
Financial terms of the supplier agreements were not disclosed.
AT&Ts Domain Supplier program, launched last September, facilitates a
more collaborative relationship with its equipment and software
suppliers, enabling AT&T to have best technologies in place to serve
its customers. The program is also designed to ensure that the
companys network technology investment accelerates AT&Ts move toward
a network that is well-equipped for the future.
The evolution to LTE is part of AT&Ts ongoing efforts to innovate and
invest in mobile broadband. AT&T today serves twice the number of
smartphone customers as its nearest competitor, and this smartphone
leadership has resulted in mobile broadband traffic that has grown
more than 5,000 percent over the past three years. Smartphones are
just one example of innovation made possible by investment in mobile
broadband.
AT&T in January announced total 2010 capital expenditures are expected
to be between $18 billion and $19 billion. These plans include an
increase of approximately $2 billion in wireless network and backhaul
investment, which will help ensure continued strong results in 3G
network performance as well as preparation for planned deployment of
LTE.
Earlier this year, AT&T upgraded 3G cell sites to HSPA 7.2 technology.
Over the course of 2010 and 2011, AT&T plans to combine this upgrade
with enhanced fiber-optic backhaul connectivity, which will support a
considerable boost in 3G speeds as well as future LTE service. AT&T
offers a total of 10 HSPA 7.2-compatible devices today, enabling
millions of customers to immediately take advantage of faster 3G
speeds as backhaul is deployed. In contrast, LTE devices are still in
development today and are not expected to be widely available until
2011.
This upgrade strategy will enable customers to experience a
significant boost in 3G speed well ahead of the time when an LTE
ecosystem with handsets is available. As LTE is deployed, HSPA 7.2 and
supporting backhaul will provide a much more robust 3G network
experience when users move outside of locations covered by next-
generation networks. In contrast, competitors who are not upgrading
their 3G networks will be unable to provide faster mobile broadband
speeds for smartphones until next-generation devices are available.
AT&T wireless network investment plans for 2010 also include
construction of about 2,000 new cell sites and adding new radio
controllers and carriers at a pace that doubles deployment in 2009.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries
and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pi...rticleid=30493 
Creaky 3G Network Finally Collapsed Wed Morning 
Linear Mode
