After intense speculation, Cingular has finally launched their HSDPA 3G network which is being marketed as BroadbandConnect. Though the US is not typically a leader in 3G mobile technology, Cingular's network is the first HSDPA in the world. 16 cities were part of the intial BroadbandConnect launch: Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, SLC, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tacoma, and DC.
Cingular doesn't currently have an HSPDA phone out, but there is a laptop card. Unlimited service runs $59.99 monthly. Speeds for the service range from 400-700 Kbps under normal use, or about the same as EV-DO. Cingular expects BroadbandConnect to expand to 100 markets by the end of next year.
I am in the wireless industry and have used both "evdo" and "umts hsdpa" hsdpa is way faster and you can talk and surf at the same time!!!
Where is the 3G network being rolled out in the next 3 to 4 months? Any plans for West Palm Beach?
Also, until it is in most centers, will the ##G card work about the same speed as the Verizon evdo pc card?
I have the verizon card and would consider switching soon as my cell service is with cingular already.
Yeah, Dale, I wouldn't switch anytime soon. You posted your comment in January and it is now August and Cingular hardly has rolled it out at all. Plus, they are saying 400-700kpbs just like EVDO. My Sprint card runs average of about 750kbps and I have had bursts well over 1.5 Mbps.
Has anyone used this? Is it better than EVDO?!