AT&T Broadband Information

AT&T Broadband

Very few of us need any introduction to AT&T or as it is affectionately known “Ma Bell”.  At one point in time AT&T controlled all the phone systems in the United States, that is until the U.S. government forced them to break up the company in 1984 into smaller regional systems.  This breakup while at the time was greeted with much hand wringing has probably directly led, more than anything, to the freedom we enjoy today in choosing whichever company we want to use for phone service.

AT&T’s broadband services are now handled by AT&T mobility which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the AT&T corp.  Originally AT&T mobility was named AT&T Wireless services, but was acquired by Cingular Wireless in 2004.  In 2006 though Bell South was acquired by AT&T and since they were the major shareholder in Cingular Wireless the company was again a renamed this time to AT&T mobility, which is where we sit today.

AT&T Broadband services are a broad ever changing model, with their broadband services now encompassing high-speed Internet, WiFi connections and mobile broadband.  One of the unique features of AT&T Broadband is their embracing of three of the major technologies available, which are HSPA (High Speed Packet Access), HSPA+ and LTE (Long-Term Evolution).  This embracing of three technologies gives AT&T Broadband a great flexibility in implementing both 3G and 4G communications with an eye towards future speed improvements.

Mobile broadband use, in a report from RCR Wireless, is expected to grow incredibly into the year 2025 and is projected to do for mobile computing what 2G based technologies (standard cell phones) did for voice communications in the last 15 years.  Mobile device sales are also expected to jump from 1.6 billion sold in 2010 to 3.9 billion sales in the year 2025.  All the connections that will we required for these devices are expected to drive traffic to 1000 times current levels. No small amount indeed!

To meet these projected requirements, which are already starting to put stress on systems in certain cities, AT&T Broadband moved to acquire T-Mobile Communications in 2011.  One of the main reasons given for the acquisition is the need for more bandwidth in order to provide customers with the service they’re coming to expect.  As of this time neither the FCC nor the Justice Dept. has ruled whether the acquisition can take place and there is fear that creating the largest wireless provider in the country will not be helpful in providing choice to the consumer.

AT&T does boast that it has the fastest 4G network in the United States and it may well be, and if it isn’t in may soon be if the acquisition of T-Mobile is approved.  T-Mobile has recently instituted technology that more than doubles their theoretical 4G speeds to 42 megabits.  This will not only help AT&T, but also put pressure on Verizon Wireless who at the moment has theoretical 4G speeds of 50 Mbits

AT&T broadband currently offers a number of data plans to their customers with the usage levels ranging from 250 MB to 5 GB, with monthly charges ranging from $14.99 to $60.00.  Unfortunately AT&T has not embraced throttling a (a reduction in data speeds) and has kept the model of charging you for any usage over your prescribed limits.  A standard 5 GB data plan at current will charge you 5¢ per megabyte over usage limit, which can add up if you are heavy user.

We suggest that you buy an unlocked air card and if you feel AT&T broadband provides the best service for your locality then sign up for their monthly no contract mobile broadband plan.  Periodically check all the providers though because you never know when the rate plans are going to change and you can get a better deal.