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4G carrier breakdown
AT&T’s 4G network: Summary: If you’re on AT&T, you won’t get left behind, but the carrier was caught off-guard by 4G. In fact, AT&T actually got mad at Verizon and T-Mobile for discussing 4G services back in May 2010. Since then, the carrier has completely gone against its own criticisms and marketed its own 4G services and devices using HSPA+, with a promise that LTE is coming by mid-2011. AT&T claims its strong implementation of HSPA+ will allow it to have a strong backup if customers move out of LTE range.
Technology: AT&T is currently using a standard called HSPA+ 21, which allows for theoretical maximum download speeds of up to 21Mbps, though actual rates are said to be around 1Mbps to 7Mbps. We do not yet know the details on AT&T’s planned LTE roll-out later this year.
Devices: Motorola Atrix 4G, HTC Inspire 4G, Samsung Infuse 4G (coming soon), and AT&T USBConnect Shockwave 4G modems. (All current device offerings are only HSPA+ compatible.)
Coverage: AT&T’s coverage map is right here. Currently, only a few major cities have actual HSPA+ access.
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