AT&T announces updates to its 3G wireless technologies

AT&T had a big day at the AllThingsDigital conference in San Diego.  CEO Randall Stephenson got grilled by Walt Mossberg on the state of wireless and specifically why AT&T's network was perceived to be slower and less reliable than others.

It wasn't all bad for AT&T however, they did announce some positive upcoming changes to their wireless service.

They will continue to roll out 3G to more markets (20 - bringing the total to 370), upgrade to 7.2 Mbs equipment and begin deployment of 4G LTE networks in 2011.  AT&T is also doubling its spectrum and adding more towers to cover more areas including the inside of buildings. 

AT&T's 2009 initiatives also include:

• Bringing more bandwidth to cell sites.  As the sites begin to get more high speed customers, they start to use up the pipes that bring the data from the backbone.  AT&T will alleviate this by bringing in extra capacity in the form of Fiber network cables.
• Building more cell sites. AT&T has plans to deploy about 2,100 new cell sites across the country.
• Wifi integration.  Stephenson called this a "bridge measure" until LTE was rolled out.  Basically, AT&T wants to up their presence at fixed locations for its customers, relieving the 3G networks of some intense bandwidth. 
• Microcells (what I need).  These are Internet connected mini cell sites that you can put in your home or office.  They add connectivity to those who are out of traditional cell range by connection to your home or office broadband.

Like Walt Mossberg, I am skeptical. AT&T easily has the worst service I've ever used and they charge me more for it than I've ever paid. When I leave New York City, the service does improve, but not to the levels I used to get from Verizon.

I didn't hear anything from Stephensn that said that they were aware of my issues and that they had solutions for it.  My AT&T plan is up soon and, as of now, I plan on walking.